The Tempest by William Shakespeare | Act 1, Scene 1

Professor Regina Buccola of Roosevelt University provides an in-depth summary and analysis of Act 1, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's play The Tempest.


William Shakespeare's The Tempest concerns a revenge plot orchestrated by magician Prospero, deposed king of Naples. By conjuring a storm, Prospero brings his enemies to the island where he has been exiled.

In one of the Bard's most spectacular and imaginative plays, enchantment and retribution combine in an intoxicating brew that ultimately illuminates the human condition.

Through his own spells and the work of his minions, the spirit Ariel and the scuttling monster Caliban, Prospero divides the survivors of the shipwreck, who include his traitorous brother Antonio, the new king, Alonso, and Alonso's son, Ferdinand.

The magician contrives to entrap Ferdinand using his beautiful daughter Miranda and puts his enemies through a series of tribulations using illusion and deception.

Realizing he has everyone under his control, Prospero also realizes he does not want to exact revenge but wants to extend mercy instead. He vows to give up his magic after he has brought about restoration.

Ariel brings the men, who are under a magic spell, to Prospero, who declares the various crimes that have been committed against him. Then he announces his forgiveness of them all.

William Shakespeare’s The Tempest was written c.1611. As Shakespeare's final play, it is also the playwright's farewell performance, in which he, like Prospero, relinquishes the magical power of the stage.

The drama contains many powerful symbols, including sleep and dreams as Prospero reflects on humanity as an elaborate dream; magic books that symbolize Shakespeare’s use of language and the magic of theatre; and the tempest, representing Prospero’s power, especially his power over nature. Themes include power and exploitation, servants, forgiveness and restoration, drowning, music, and the magic of theater.


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[james.edgeee]

anyone sent here from there teacher or wasn't listening in class :)

[bjaogh]

Thanks a million. I've got an assignment due on Friday and I didn't have time to read the entire play.

[enderredacted]

Listening to this before the test, hope it goes well :D

[thepiexlcpljones]

Amazing summary and analytic skill in a few minutes I learnt lots

[fymagarrido]

imagine having to summarizing a summary☠️☠️

[ines..]

Anyone else's teacher can't be bothered to tell them this themselves so they just found a video to do it for them?, no..just me?

[zainabwaheed]

I have no words to say .This is perfection .

[chimchxm]

Thanks , i was not listening in class as usual so i had to find this out myself .

[thehiguiofficial]

Finally something so good..that though there is only an explanation of 3 mins...the entire idea of the act and scene is understood..here....pls upload all literature shakespeare videos..along with poetry and short stories..i owe you guys one

[mydearisyours]

Can't say thank you enough, you save me from my midterm crisis.

[parker]

during quorentine home schooling this rly helps me understand

[SadePersonalityTV]

i want to ask something but i want to know who was related to parable about drowning? was it alonso or gonzalo.

[gothicdragonwarriorqueen]

That's an amazing Shakespearean play!!!☻🖤☠⚰💀

[thecreepers]

Any ICSE students here? I'm from Kerala

[vivian]

boatswain: the officer (or warrant officer) in charge of sails, rigging, anchors, cables etc. and all work on deck of a sailing ship

[doordiecalmmindwins]

I loved it, please upload more with visualisation

[nataliedean]

She pronounces boatswain incorrectly - it is pronounced boson, where bo rhymes with go. Is that an American thing?

[jacobjasien]

read the entire thing and understood nothing so here we are.

[stblife]

Okay okay.. But why is she somewhat looking like *TAYLOR SWIFT* 🤨

[padhle]

Mujhe pta h tum Nirmala ke 11th wale ho 😏😏