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the tempest summary (act 2 to the end)
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This is a summary of Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest, from act 2 to the end.
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The Tempest: (act 2-end)By William Shakespeare
Act 2
The reason everyone was on the ship was because they were coming back from Claribel’s wedding in
Africa (she was marrying the king of Tunis) … Claribel is Alonso’s daughter.
In Act 2 we are introduced at greater length to the characters whom Prospero was caused to be
shipwrecked on the island. We know already that the castaways are not together in one party since
Ferdinand has made a solitary appearance in Act 1 and we are told that Prospero specifically
commanded Ariel to disperse them in various corners of the island. The reason for this separation
now become clear: it enables Shakespeare to keep the various strands of his plot separate and
distinct, and to develop certain themes in isolation, until the moment comes to bind them into a
whole.
After the love has been established, therefore, we encounter Ferdinand’s father, Alonso, and his
followers and we are quickly made aware of another theme:that of conspiracy. Alonso’s court is
clearly divided rather than being united in misfortune; and before long Sebastian and Antonio are
treacherously planning to murder Alonso. This assassination bid is thwarted by Ariel’s intervention
on Prospero’s behalf.
However, as soon as this rebellion has been out down, another begins. In the second scene, Caliban
meets Stephane and Trinculo, and, under the influence of Stephano’s liquor, swears allegiance to
him and resolves to serve Prospero no longer. Thus, by the end of the second act, two alliances have
been formed between the island’s inhabitants and the castaways. Ferdinand and Miranda have
fallen in love, and Caliban has found a new master; and these developing themes form the two sub-
plots which reinforce the main action of the play.
Alonso is upset- has lost both his children (daughter is married in Africa and son is supposedly dead)
Francisco is convinced that Ferdinand is still alive because he saw him swimming when the ship
overturned, and he is a strong swimmer.
Sebastian is making things worse… saying of course Ferdinand is dead don’t be silly.
Antonio and Sebastian told Gonzalo (who is tired) to have a sleep and they will protect him while he
is asleep. Once he is asleep, Antonio suggests they kill Alonso- Sebastian wants to be king.
Sebastian doesn’t know if he should trust Alonso as he usurped his own brother.
They plan to then kill Gonzalo so that Antonio also gets a title.
Gonzalo and Alonso are woken up by Ariel and wonders why S and G have drawn their swords, they
claim that they heard lions.
Act 3:
Scene 1:
On another part of the island:
Caliban is carrying wood and curing Prospero wishing that all the dreaded diseases possible will go to
Prospero and that he will die.
, Caliban is worried that Prospero’s spirits will come and pinch him.
Trinculo (Alonso’s jester) arrives: it is raining, and he is worried about his clothes getting wet so he
climbs under a coat. He sees Caliban’s feet and head and thinks how much money people would pay
to come and see him in England.
“Misery aquatints a man with strange bed fellows.”
Stephano (drunken butler) arrives. just sees two heads and two pairs of legs (thinks it is all one big
monster): he also thinks about how much money he would make to put this monster in a cage and
charge people to come and look at it.
Stephano thinks Caliban has a fever and gives him some wine.
Caliban has taken on a new master (Stephano)- ironic because he sings about having freedom, but it
doesn’t seem as though he really wants it.
Ferdinand has been enslaved by Prospero and is working very hard. He has a good attitude.
Miranda proposes to Ferdinand: if they do marry everything will be mended in Naples and Milan
Prospero decided he was going to test Ferdinand to see if he was strong enough and good enough
for Miranda- that is why he was giving him such horrible tasks.
Scene 2:
Another part of the island…
Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo:
Ariel has an important role in the 2 scenes that follow. As Prospero’s agent, and instrument of his
Art, he keeps a watchful eye on the activities of Caliban and his confederates in their plan to kill
Prospero and intervenes in scene 2 (in his invisible disguise) to create dissension amongst the would-
be assassins.
In the last scene, Ariel appears in yet another disguise – as a harpy (a type of bird)- to disrupt the
magic banquet conjured up by his master’s Art, and to remind Alonso, Sebastian and Antonio of
their crime against Prospero. They now know the real danger they are in, and why they are on the
island, and the scene is set for their final confrontation with Prospero in act 5.
Trinculo doesn’t like Caliban, mocks Stephano for the good things he says about Caliban. Stephano
tells trinculo off (it is actually Ariel) and they start beating each other.
Even if Prospero is killed, Caliban still won’t be free because he has offered himself as a servant.
“Murrain” =plague
Caliban has a list of things he wants them to do to Prospero: beat him with a log, burn his books to
make him powerless.
Stephano and Trinculo know that there is an evil person running the island and enslaving Caliban,
but they don’t know it’s Prospero.
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