Lecture Notes: William Shakespeare's The Tempest

Introduction to The Tempest

• Setting: Begins with a storm, or "tempest," as King Alonso of Naples and his entourage travel by ship from Africa to Italy.
• Characters:
  • Prospero: Former Duke of Milan, now a powerful magician, orchestrating events on the island.
  • Miranda: Prospero’s daughter, stranded for 12 years.
  • Ariel: A spirit servant to Prospero.
  • Caliban: Son of the witch Sycorax, a monster-like servant.
  • Ferdinand: Son of King Alonso, falls in love with Miranda.
  • Antonio: Prospero's traitorous brother who usurped his dukedom.
  • Gonzalo: Loyal friend to Prospero.

Plot Summary

Introduction

• Storm: Created by Prospero using magic, separates ship’s passengers.
• Stranding: Shipwrecked men include King Alonso, his brother Sebastian, and others.

Rising Action

• Revenge Plan: Prospero plans to exact revenge but is motivated by mercy.
• Love Story: Ferdinand and Miranda fall in love.
• Antonio & Sebastian's Plot: Plan to kill King Alonso for power.
• Drunken Conspiracy: Trinculo, Stefano, and Caliban plot to kill Prospero.

Climax

• Celebration: Prospero organizes a magical celebration for Miranda and Ferdinand’s engagement.

Falling Action

• Reconciliation: Prospero decides against revenge, seeking forgiveness.
• Revelation: All characters are brought together, crimes revealed, and forgiveness granted.

Resolution

• Restoration: Prospero regains his Dukedom and plans to return to Italy.
• Audience Engagement: Prospero asks the audience to "free" him by clapping.

Characters and Relationships

• Prospero: Main character, orchestrates the plot, seeks revenge but chooses forgiveness.
• Miranda: Grows up in isolation, falls for Ferdinand.
• Caliban: Resents Prospero, attempts rebellion.
• Ariel: Spirit servant seeking freedom.
• Alonso: Searches for Ferdinand, repents past actions.
• Antonio & Sebastian: Antagonists, plot against Alonso.
• Gonzalo: Loyal to Prospero, sees idealism in the island’s potential.

Symbols and Themes

Symbols

• The Tempest: Represents chaos from disrupted natural order.
• Books: Symbolize Prospero’s power and knowledge.
• Sleep and Dreams: Indicate manipulation and control.

Themes

• Language and Reality: Language as a tool for power.
• Magic of Theatre: Prospero's magic parallels Shakespeare's creation of the play.
• Power and Exploitation: Explores power dynamics and their consequences.
• Revenge and Forgiveness: Central theme, leading to resolution and restoration.
• Utopia and Idealism: Explores ideal societies and Prospero’s belief in harmony.

Motifs

• Drowning: Metaphor for loss and rebirth.
• Music: Enhances the magical atmosphere and guides characters.
• Servitude: Examines servant-master relationships and power abuse.

Conclusion

• Restoration of Order: Calm follows the chaos of the storm.
• Prospero’s Growth: From revenge to mercy, reflecting themes of forgiveness and redemption.
• Shakespeare’s Legacy: The Tempest as a reflection on art and the power of creation.