The Tempest by: William Shakespeare

The Last Play Called a tragicomedy – elements of tragedy and comedy A far-fetched fantasy with multiple sub-plots A fairy tale with elements of magic, good and bad characters, love, miraculous incidents, charms and fairies.

Main Characters Prospero, the rightful duke of Milan Miranda, his daughter Caliban, savage and deformed – their slave Ariel, a spirit (male) These people are on an island in the Mediterranean Sea

Main Characters Alonso, king of Naples Sebastian, his brother Gonzalo, an honest, old counselor Ferdinand, son of the king Antonio, Prospero’s brother, the usurping duke Trinculo, a jester Stephano, a drunken butler Adrian, Francisco - lords These people are on a boat which crashes onto Prospero’s island

Political Positions Renaissance Italy was made up of many city-states vying for control over each other Milan and Naples were city-states Antonio agrees to give control of Milan to Naples if the King will help him gain the dukedom

Magic Magic was very controversial during this time period Prospero is described as a rational magician in contrast to Sycorax who was an occultist – his was based on science and hers on black magic ideas Prospero uses Ariel, a spirit, to help him control nature and people Prospero also has magic books and a cloak

Setting The Tempest takes place on an island in the Mediterranean Supposedly, Shakespeare got his idea when he read about a shipwreck near Bermuda There are some references to the Bermudas and the ideas of the new world

References to mythology Harpy – half woman/half bird Phoenix – bird who could rise from its own ashes Ceres Iris Goddesses Juno

Masque A form of entertainment Dancing, music, elaborate costumes

Themes Forgive and Forget/Revenge Repentance Exploration of a new world Friendship Relationships Love

Shakespeare’s Farewell Epilogue is famously referred to as Shakespeare’s farewell Spoken by Prospero as a “magician” who is giving up his “magic” – seen as Shakespeare giving up his writing