Overview

Synopsis

For twelve years, Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, has been living on a remote, uninhabited Mediterranean Island with only his daughter, Miranda (a young girl who has grown up seeing no other human being but her father), Caliban (the son of the island’s former ruler, a witch named Sycorax), and Ariel (an “airy spirit” who has served as Prospero’s servant). Prospero has learned the magical arts through deep meditative study, and uses his supernatural powers to exert his authority and influence events. At the play’s beginning, he causes a tempest to overtake the surrounding waters, shipwrecking the enemies responsible for his exile. The boat’s passengers are scattered, and the state of the island is thrown into chaos as murder plots, drunken foolery, and love-at-first-sight become the order of the day. But by the end, Prospero has righted the chaos and resolved all conflict, and asks the audience's indulgence to set him free. Likely Shakespeare's last independent play, The Tempest is a fitting capstone to the Bard's prolific career.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1611
Genres
Romance, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
Settings
Fantasy/Imaginary, Multiple Settings, Spectacle
Time & Place
Ship, Mediterranean Island, Renaissance
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, High School, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Early Teen, Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Prospero

Lead

Male

Spoken

Miranda

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Ariel

Supporting

Either Gender

Non-singer

Caliban

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Alonso

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Sebastian

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Antonio

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Ferdinand

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Gonzalo

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Trinculo

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Stephano

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Iris

Featured

Female

Spoken

Ceres

Featured

Female

Spoken

Juno

Featured

Female

Spoken

Adrian

Featured

Male

Spoken

Francisco

Featured

Male

Spoken

Boatswain

Featured

Male

Spoken

Master of the Ship

Featured

Male

Spoken

Mariners, Sailors, Nymphs, Reapers

Ensemble

Either or Both

Spoken

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    A type of foundation makeup used as the first layer in stage cosmetics to even out skin tone.

    To phrase or express something in a particular way; in classical theatre, may also refer to a piece of stage furniture.

    A concluding speech or section that provides commentary or closure at the end of a play.

    A stage direction indicating that two or more characters leave the stage.

    Used in classical texts to describe beauty or fairness; also used in dialogue to suggest sincerity or justice.

    A poetic meter consisting of five iambs per line, widely used in English Renaissance drama by playwrights like Shakespeare.

    Pertaining to the period of King James I’s reign, known for darker, more violent English drama than the Elizabethan era.

    A servant or deceitful man, often used in Shakespearean plays as a term of insult or social rank. This archetype is common in comedic and villainous roles in English Renaissance drama, revealing class tensions and dramatic contrasts.

    A form of festive court entertainment combining poetry, music, dance, and elaborate costumes, popular in 16th and 17th century England. Masques were often allegorical and featured aristocratic performers.

    A speech delivered by a character alone on stage, revealing inner thoughts or emotions to the audience. Common in Shakespearean plays.

    A genre blending elements of tragedy and comedy, often leaving audiences in emotional or thematic tension.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress