Very Short Summary
On a remote island, a powerful sorcerer orchestrated a tempest to shipwreck his enemies from Naples. The sorcerer was once the Duke of Milan before his brother usurped his position twelve years earlier.
Prospero lived on the island with his daughter, whom he had raised and educated since their exile. She had never seen any other humans except her father and Caliban, a deformed slave.
Among the shipwrecked were Alonso (King of Naples), Sebastian (his brother), Antonio (Prospero's usurping brother), and Ferdinand (the king's son). Using his magical servant Ariel, Prospero separated the survivors and manipulated events. Ferdinand met Miranda, and they instantly fell in love, exactly as Prospero had planned.
While Ferdinand and Miranda's romance blossomed, Caliban plotted against Prospero with two drunken servants from the ship, planning to murder him and take control of the island. Meanwhile, Antonio and Sebastian conspired to kill Alonso, but Ariel thwarted their plan.
Prospero arranged a magical masque to celebrate Ferdinand and Miranda's engagement. During the celebration, he suddenly remembered Caliban's plot and abruptly ended the festivities.
Our revels now are ended. These our actors, as I foretold you, were all spirits and are melted into air, into thin air... We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.
After foiling Caliban's conspiracy, Prospero confronted his enemies and revealed his identity. Moved by their remorse, he forgave them all, reconciled with his brother, and arranged for everyone to return to Italy. He freed Ariel, renounced his magic, and prepared to return to Milan as its rightful duke.
Detailed Summary by Acts and Scenes
Act titles and scene descriptions are editorial.
Act 1. The Tempest and Its Aftermath
Scene 1. The Storm at Sea
A violent storm battered a ship carrying the King of Naples and his party. As the vessel was tossed by massive waves, the boatswain and mariners struggled to keep control while the noble passengers interfered with their work. The situation grew increasingly dire as the ship began to split apart.
Hell is empty and all the devils are here... Not a soul but felt a fever of the mad and play'd some tricks of desperation. All but mariners plunged in the foaming brine and quit the vessel.
Scene 2. Prospero's Past Revealed
On a nearby island, Miranda begged her father Prospero to calm the tempest if he had caused it with his magical powers. She was deeply moved by the sight of the struggling ship and feared for those aboard.
Prospero revealed to Miranda their true history: twelve years ago, he was the Duke of Milan, but his brother Antonio had usurped his position. With the help of the King of Naples, Antonio forced Prospero and the infant Miranda into exile. They were set adrift in a barely seaworthy boat, saved only by the provisions secretly supplied by the noble Gonzalo. They found refuge on this island, where Prospero had spent years honing his magical abilities and raising his daughter.
Prospero then called upon his servant spirit Ariel, who revealed that he had carried out Prospero's commands perfectly - creating the tempest, dispersing the ship's passengers across the island, and ensuring no one was harmed. Ariel reminded Prospero of his promise to grant the spirit freedom, but Prospero first demanded completion of a few more tasks.
Prospero and Ariel then discussed Caliban, the deformed slave who was the island's only native inhabitant. Son of the witch Sycorax, Caliban had once been treated kindly by Prospero until he attempted to violate Miranda. Since then, he had been forced into servitude.
You taught me language; and my profit on't is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you for learning me your language!
Act 2. Plots and Conspiracies
Scene 1. The Plot Against King Alonso
Elsewhere on the island, King Alonso searched desperately for his son Ferdinand, whom he believed had drowned. He was accompanied by his brother Sebastian, the usurping Antonio, and the loyal counselor Gonzalo, among others.
While the others slept, Antonio convinced Sebastian to kill his brother Alonso and seize the crown of Naples. Just as they drew their swords, Ariel awakened Gonzalo, thwarting their murderous plot.
Scene 2. Caliban's New Master
Meanwhile, Caliban encountered Trinculo, a jester, and Stephano, a drunken butler who had survived the shipwreck with a barrel of wine. Delighted by Stephano's wine and believing him to be a god, Caliban swore allegiance to him.
Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices...
Act 3. Love and Treachery
Scene 1. Ferdinand and Miranda's Love
Ferdinand, who had been separated from the others, was performing tasks set by Prospero to prove his worth. Despite Prospero's apparent harshness, this was part of his plan to bring Ferdinand and Miranda together. The young couple fell deeply in love while Miranda watched Ferdinand work.
Scene 2. The Plot Against Prospero
Caliban convinced Stephano and Trinculo to help him overthrow Prospero. He proposed that they kill Prospero while he slept, take his books of magic, and make Stephano lord of the island. They agreed to the plan, despite Ariel's invisible presence overhearing their scheme.
Scene 3. The Banquet and Ariel's Accusation
Ariel created a magical banquet for Alonso and his party, only to make it vanish. Appearing as a harpy, Ariel accused Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio of their crimes against Prospero. The guilty men fled in terror and despair, their minds troubled by what they had witnessed.
Act 4. The Betrothal Masque
Scene 1. Celebration and Confrontation
Prospero blessed the engagement of Ferdinand and Miranda, warning the young prince to preserve Miranda's virtue until their wedding. To celebrate their betrothal, Prospero commanded Ariel to produce a masque featuring mythological figures who blessed the couple with prosperity and happiness.
O brave new world, that has such people in't! - 'Tis new to thee... How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is!
The celebration was interrupted when Prospero remembered Caliban's plot against him. He sent Ariel to fetch fine clothing as bait for the conspirators. When Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo attempted to steal the garments, they were chased away by spirits in the form of hunting dogs.
Act 5. Reconciliation and Freedom
Scene 1. Forgiveness and Restoration
As Prospero's plan reached its culmination, Ariel reported that all his enemies were now at his mercy, their minds troubled by guilt and madness. Prospero, moved by their suffering, decided to choose forgiveness over vengeance.
Though with their high wrongs I am struck to the quick, yet with my nobler reason 'gainst my fury do I take part: the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance: they being penitent...
Prospero drew a magic circle and had Ariel bring all the shipwrecked passengers before him. He revealed his true identity to the astonished nobles and forgave his enemies, including his brother Antonio. Alonso, in turn, repented and restored Prospero's dukedom. The joyful reunion was crowned by the revelation that Ferdinand was alive and engaged to Miranda.
The three plotters - Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo - were brought before the assembly, still wearing their stolen garments. Caliban expressed remorse for his rebellion and was pardoned. Prospero then revealed that the ship had been magically preserved and the crew was safe.
Epilogue. Prospero's Final Speech
Having achieved his goals, Prospero fulfilled his promise and released Ariel from service. He then prepared to return to Milan, renouncing his magical powers and breaking his staff. In a final address to the audience, he asked for their applause to set him free.
Now my charms are all o'erthrown, and what strength I have's mine own, which is most faint... Let me not since I have my dukedom got and pardon'd the deceiver, dwell in this bare island by your spell.