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Plot Summary of The Tempest
The document contains summaries of each act in The Tempest.
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Tempest SynopsisFun fact : The whole story is only three hours long.
Act 1.
• Realism & accuracy (nautical imagery)
• Introduces the characters.
• Prospero's reasons for the project.
• The initial stage of the project, causing agony and confusion separating Ferdinand and
Alonso.
Scene 1 : This act is a prologue
There is a storm which the Boatswain struggles to control.
Scene 2 : Prospero explains his reasons(revenge and redistribution) for the project. He
controls Ariel. Miranda is portrayed as ignorant and empathetic. Ferdinand is separated from
Alonso. The reason for the hatred of Caliban and the ideas of colonisation are evident.
Alonso and Antonio are portrayed as villains.
Act 2
In Act 2,the characters that were dispersed are further addressed. The characters are
dispersed for Prospero to divide and conquer but also for Shakespeare to develop the
themes of love and conspiracy.
Scene 1 : The conspiracy of Antonio and Sebastian is seen, their obscenity is also evident.
Gonzalo is a protector and a good old man. Ariel plays tricks; Alonso is unaware.
Scene 2 : (Dramatic irony)This is the scene in which Caliban meets Stephano ,the drunkard
and his lord. Caliban also meets Trinculo. Caliban asks Stephano to be his lord. The theme
of colonization is seen as Caliban is treated like an animal - described as a fish and as a
monster.
Act 3
Scene 1: Ferdinand meets Miranda and they fall in love, Miranda vows to marry him.
Scene 2 : Ariel plays tricks on Trinculo. Caliban speaks in prose shown as more intellectual
while they speak in verse a critique. Caliban asks them to help him seek revenge and gives
them incentives.
Scene 3 : There is a banquet(magic). Antonio wants the job to be done. Ariel and Prospero
shook fear into Alonso - stating his son is dead. Alonso feels guilty and wants to die to meet
his son. Antonio and Sebastian still believe they overcome the force of Ariel even though he
said that he was among the ministers of Fate. Prospero calls them three the men of sin.
Gonzalo is insightful and knows that Alonso wants suicide and Sebastian and Antonio will
destroy themselves in the attempt to fight Prospero.
Act 4
The two subplots (one of love and other of conspiracy) end in this one scene 1 Act.
Prospero orders Ariel to bring the corollary(the rabble) in order to show the young couple his
Art(magic) as Ferdinand passed his test and he also tells them not untie the virgin knot till
marriage. He also advises Ferdinand to be more action rather than flirtatious. The Spirits all
wish them a good marriage." Here they thought they had done some wanting charm upon
this man and maid, " shows their love is real as do good it seemed like a charm. Ceres
wishes real love for them. Even sees realised that they are spirits. The masque suddenly
ends so Prospero can stop Caliban. Caliban acts civilised and is intelligent while Trinculo
and Sebastian are drunkards. Prospero plan is working : "At this hour lies at my mercy all
mine enemies." He will soon free Ariel.
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