MainStage
The Tempest
by William Shakespeare
The Tempest is regarded by almost all scholars as Shakespeare's last and most mature complete work, revealing The Bard at his best as playwright, poet and Theatre artist. The play evades easy categorization and today plays best as a romance with ample comic and, some would say, even tragic elements.
Prospero towers over The Tempest story. As rightful Duke of Milan, his position was usurped by his brother, Antonio, and he was set adrift on the ocean to die with his young child, Miranda. Fate cast them on an island where, using his skillful art, Prospero gained control over the witch Sycorax, freeing sprites like Ariel, who now do him service. Even Caliban, Sycorax’s beast-man child, is under Prospero’s sway.
Knowing his usurping brother and other lords are voyaging home to Milan from a trip to Tunis, Prospero engages Ariel to create a tempest that cracks the struggling ship and sets aground on Prospero’s isle the usurping Duke and his train of nobles – some corrupt, others honorable. Finally, Prospero will get revenge for his brother’s ill-deed!
The Tempest takes us on a magical journey on Prospero’s isle. Highlighting the journey is the love that develops between Miranda and the noble youth, Ferdinand.
Some say The Tempest is a play about magic. In truth, it is a play that traffics in magic to search the timeless issues of the heart – forgiveness, justice, mercy and, of course, love.
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