The Tempest by William Shakespeare

The Tempest was one of Shakespeare’s final plays, believed to have been written 1610-1611. It is the tale of Propspero the rightful Duke of Milan, who was supplanted by his brother Antonio, with help from the King of Naples Alonzo, and the King's brother Sebastian.

Prospero, along with his infant daughter Miranda, are set adrift at sea. Uknown to any of their betrayers, they land on an enchanted isle, where Prospero learns sorcery, and is aided by airy spirits on the island and the deformed and treacherous son of a witch who previously inhabited the island.

Some years later – I’m sure it gives the specific time span but I’ve forgotten, Miranda was three when they were exiled and is now a beautiful young woman – some years later fate brings a ship bearing all the betrayers close to the island, and Propsero conjurs – a tempest – to drive them ashore.

Now, you had to know, since I mentioned Miranda being a beautiful young woman that someone is going to fall in love with her. Indeed, none other than Ferdinand the son of the king.

Propspero, with the aid of his chief spirit, Ariel, separates the castaways into various groups and adventures.

This is a comedy, not a tragedy. In the end, Prospero forgives all his betrayers and all sail for Naples, anticipating the marriage of Miranda and Ferdinand.

I’d like to see this performed – you know, as plays are meant to be experienced. Still it reads pretty easy, once you have the characters memorized.

As in most of Shakespeare’s works, there are phrases taken from this play that have made their way into 21^st Century vernacular.

Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows

We are such stuff as dreams are made of

And of particular note, when Miranda sees all the handsome young men, a sight she has never seen before, she remarks:  O Brave New World that hath such people in ‘t!

From which Aldous Huxley derived the name of his 1931 novel.

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