Act I: we're on a boat
A big storm rocks a boat, The Tempest. A group of nobles are on the boat, they comprise of Alonso, Sebastian, Antonia, Gonzalo, and some others. The ship is in uproar and chaos reigns. After some noises that sound like the ship is sinking Antonio, Sebastian, and Gonzalo go in search of the King and the prince who were also aboard the ship.
Prospero and Miranda are on the shore of the island that they call home. They watch the storm hit the ship. Miranda, Prospero’s daughter, asks her father to make sure that no one on the ship is harmed. Prospero decides since his enemies are on the ship that it was time to tell his daughter the full, truthful story as to how they ended up on the island. He says that he was once the Duke of Milan. He was too occupied in his endeavor to pursue education he neglected his political duties. His brother took advantage of this and created an army that ran Prospero out of town. He was saved only because some of his loyal followers prepared a sea vessel for him to escape in. Miranda then falls asleep. Ariel then comes in and does errands for Prospero since he owes him for releasing him from a tree. After these requests are done Prospero agrees to release him. Caliban is now presented; he is the witches son and slave to Prospero. Prospero taught Caliban to speak and also educated him, which seems to have been a mistake.
Ariel comes back in leading Ferdinand with music. Miranda gazes upon him and immediately falls in love with him. And he her, he then announces he is the prince of Naples. Prospero wants to imprison him, Miranda says no, and he tells her that she only loves him because he is the first man she has ever seen. Prospero imprisons Ferdinand, the prince of Naples.
Prospero and Miranda are on the shore of the island that they call home. They watch the storm hit the ship. Miranda, Prospero’s daughter, asks her father to make sure that no one on the ship is harmed. Prospero decides since his enemies are on the ship that it was time to tell his daughter the full, truthful story as to how they ended up on the island. He says that he was once the Duke of Milan. He was too occupied in his endeavor to pursue education he neglected his political duties. His brother took advantage of this and created an army that ran Prospero out of town. He was saved only because some of his loyal followers prepared a sea vessel for him to escape in. Miranda then falls asleep. Ariel then comes in and does errands for Prospero since he owes him for releasing him from a tree. After these requests are done Prospero agrees to release him. Caliban is now presented; he is the witches son and slave to Prospero. Prospero taught Caliban to speak and also educated him, which seems to have been a mistake.
Ariel comes back in leading Ferdinand with music. Miranda gazes upon him and immediately falls in love with him. And he her, he then announces he is the prince of Naples. Prospero wants to imprison him, Miranda says no, and he tells her that she only loves him because he is the first man she has ever seen. Prospero imprisons Ferdinand, the prince of Naples.
Act II: king of the castle
Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, and Gonzalo search for the prince. They were shipwrecked on a different part of the island. Alonso is regretful for marrying his daughter in Tunis, saying that is the reason for their wreck. They try to convince him he his now lord of the island. Antonio, when Ariel put all other to sleep except for Antonio and Sebastian, tries to get Sebastian to kill his brother, the King. Just as they decide to pull out their swords they have second thoughts, Ariel makes Gonzalo awaken with memories of their conspiracy. Everyone then wakes up and continues the search for Ferdinand.
Caliban is doing the chores as told by Prospero to do. He hates Prospero and explains why. He sees Trinculo and thinks that he is a spirit. Caliban hides under his cloak and Trinculo trying to escape the storm ties to hide there as well. He wonders what Caliban is. Stephano wonders in and has been drinking. He hears Caliban try to kick Trinculo out of his cloak. Stephano tries to give the “monster” a drink. He recognizes Trinculo. They get Caliban drunk and he shows them around the island and pledges himself to them and their alcohol.
Caliban is doing the chores as told by Prospero to do. He hates Prospero and explains why. He sees Trinculo and thinks that he is a spirit. Caliban hides under his cloak and Trinculo trying to escape the storm ties to hide there as well. He wonders what Caliban is. Stephano wonders in and has been drinking. He hears Caliban try to kick Trinculo out of his cloak. Stephano tries to give the “monster” a drink. He recognizes Trinculo. They get Caliban drunk and he shows them around the island and pledges himself to them and their alcohol.
Act III: feast of revenge
Ferdinand takes over doing Caliban’s chores. Miranda comes in and tells Ferdinand she loves him, breaking her promise to talk to him. He reciprocates. They vow to get married. Prospero overhears this and is not surprised since he knew it would happen.
Caliban is still leading Trinculo and Stephano about, they are all drinking. Caliban is Stephano’s servant. Ariel comes in and whispers in Caliban’s ear, which causes conflict between Stephano and Trinculo. Caliban, after the quarrel, reveals that the only way to defeat Prospero is to take is spell books. They plot to kill Prospero and take Miranda and have Stephano be king of the island.
The large group, that contains the King, is exhausted. Sebastian and Alonso feel that this is a great opportunity to kill the king. Music starts playing and a large banquet of food appears. Spirits are dancing about the table. They are trying to decide if to eat or not, just as they decide a harpy (Ariel in disguise) hits the table with his wings. He accuses this group of men of chasing Prospero out of Milan. And for revenge he took Ferdinand. Gonzalo wants to kill himself and leaves this area to go to the sea. The rest follow so assure that he won’t do anything brazen.
Caliban is still leading Trinculo and Stephano about, they are all drinking. Caliban is Stephano’s servant. Ariel comes in and whispers in Caliban’s ear, which causes conflict between Stephano and Trinculo. Caliban, after the quarrel, reveals that the only way to defeat Prospero is to take is spell books. They plot to kill Prospero and take Miranda and have Stephano be king of the island.
The large group, that contains the King, is exhausted. Sebastian and Alonso feel that this is a great opportunity to kill the king. Music starts playing and a large banquet of food appears. Spirits are dancing about the table. They are trying to decide if to eat or not, just as they decide a harpy (Ariel in disguise) hits the table with his wings. He accuses this group of men of chasing Prospero out of Milan. And for revenge he took Ferdinand. Gonzalo wants to kill himself and leaves this area to go to the sea. The rest follow so assure that he won’t do anything brazen.
Act IV: engaging the enemy
Prospero gives the young couple his blessing, but warns Ferdinand not to rob his daughter of her virtue before all of the marital ceremonies have been performed. Three spirits are conjured to perform the wedding ceremony. During the awe of the ceremony Prospero remembers that Stephano and Trinculo and Caliban are plotting his death. He calls Ariel and asks him what those men are doing, and reveals that he stalled them in their journey. They line up nice clothes to tempt the three men who are delayed. When the men go to steal it they are chased out by hounds.
Act V: safe passage
All of the persons who were stranded on the island are held and under a spell. Prospero undoes the spell and explains what is going on. He forgives them from running him out of Naples. He reveals that Ferdinand is still alive and has gained a wife. He brings in the three thieves to return and clean the clothes. He now says that the wedding ceremony will be finished in Naples. The last request that Prospero has before Ariel’s release is to ensure safe passage to Naples.
Epilogue
Prospero gives up his magic and he destroys his spell books.