The Tempest "Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows." Act II, scene ii Written: 1611 Synopsis: Prospero, dethroned and shipwrecked on an island with his daughter for the past twelve years, manipulates a storm to bring the culprit, his brother, and others to his tiny isle. One thinks that if he can do that, he can conjure up a ship to get off the island, but no, he wants to torment people first. The King of Naples thinks his son is dead in the tempest, while in reality Ferdinand is on the other side of the island making goo-goo eyes at Prospero's daughter, Miranda (who has never seen a man other than her father before, so presumably she's not very picky). Meanwhile, Prospero's slave Caliban revolts to join a jester and a drunken sailor, while Ariel (the spirit who follows Prospero's every command out of a sort of masochistic love) sprints around creating mild chaos. In addition, more bcakstabbing political machinations go on with Sebastian planning to murder his brother the King of Naples for his crown. Characters: • Prospero, magician and exiled ex-King • Miranda, his daughter • Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Naples • Ariel, spirit of the island • Caliban, monster of the isle Musings: Ok, who here always thought of Ariel as a woman? Despite the indications that a man was to play the part. Prospero seems to me to be a megalomaniac with sad sense of humor. First, he shipwrecks a few men, then he mentally tortures them ... then he forgives them. Hmm. The Text of the Play: The Tempest Quotes Links: Buy the Play:

Matthew William Peters, 1741-1814 Near the Cell of Prospero Reviews Showcase Theatre - Richard Burton 1960 >> previous reviews

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