The Tale of Tempest: A Critical Analysis

Tempest is the best play of William Shakespeare. Now I tell my readers its tale is very interesting.

On an inhabitant island there lived a father Prospero and his daughter Miranda was a beautiful young lady, has not seen any other except his father on this island when she came on this island. The father and daughter both lived in a cave, made of rock. The cave consisted of many apartments and in one of the apartment Prospero kept all his books of magic because magic study has fascinated old Prospero.

There lived a witch named Scycorax who died before the arrival of Prospero and daughter Miranda. Prospero by the spell of magic released many of the spirits from the cave and all of them imprisoned in a large tree because all the spirits refused his orders. But one group of spirits and whose chief was Ariel obeyed Prospero’s all commands.

Ariel was a gentle spirit but she has grudge against Caliban because he was the son of her enemy Sycorax. Prospero found Caliban in the wood when he was coming to his home in man’s shape. Taking his Caliban Prospero started him speaking and was very kind to him but he could not learn what Prospero taught him due to her mother’s stubborn habit that he got on his birth. Keeping in mind his habit Prospero kept him at his home as a slave to carry woods from the jungle.

Ariel used to tease Caliban changing his shapes anon pinching him slapping him and biting him.

When Caliban neglected the orders of Prospero in its reaction Prospero raised a huge tempest by the help of power full spirits from the sea waves. One day the powerful spirits raised a huge storm by the order of Prospero. Looking at the powerful storm his daughter said that there was no need to raise a powerful storm now her ship will break very into pieces striking against the shore of the sea.

Listening to the fear of his daughter Prospero said do not worry there will be no harm to the persons who are in the ship. Miranda said there is no woman to attend me in such critical condition. Listening to his daughter’s fears now Prospero said to his daughter.

My daughter before coming on this island and you were a toddler I was the duke of Milan and I has a younger brother Antonio and due to old age I handed over all the state affairs to your uncle  and I wall day and night used to study to pass time in old age. Getting powers from me he expelled me from his kingdom and deprived me of dukedom getting the help of Naples’ king who

was my bitter enemy.

It was Antonio who has left us here helpless forcing us to live in a small cave on this island. But there was a slave Gonzalo who loved me most brought for me boat, dress, books and foods to eat. Listening to his father’s sad tale she thought to take revenge his uncle but Prospero forbade her to do so because Prospero loved his daughter more than his life. Prospero said to his daughter that I want to teach something special and it is my pleasure in teaching you as soon as possible.

Now Miranda asked his father, my dear father can you tell me why you raised this heavy storm? Listen my daughter, my enemy the Naples’ king and your uncle has arrived just on this island my powerful spirit had told me just now. To avoid further question Prospero touched his magic wand to her cheeks and Miranda slept at once.

Now Ariel said to Prospero that she has destroyed the ship and its company. Further Ariel told when the enemy ship toppled first of Ferdinand jumped into the sea and his father thought of his son has drawn into the sea but he is safe in the corners of the island and his head is injured and his princely pomp and show has finished.

Listening to this news Prospero said to bring the young prince so that she could see her cousin my brother’s son and my nephew. Now Ariel said to Prospero my master you promised me to set free after the storm. Looking at this handsome person Miranda was very happy and Ferdinand was also very happy because there was young beautiful girl on this island.

Now Miranda and Ferdinand fell in love of each other on the island secretly. Looking at this scene Prospero charged him of conspiracy against him and his daughter in such condition Ferdinand draw his sword to kill Prospero but Prospero waved his magic wand make still where he was standing.

Watching the whole scene Miranda said he is loyal to me and you I am sure father. After this Prospero took Ferdinand to his cave safe and sound and said to live here do his works day and night as punishment  Prospero said to Ferdinand to make a pile of wood but Miranda forbade Ferdinand to do so because he was tired and she also brought woods for pile to help the young prince.

When Prospero came he told them that I have heard your all conversation and I like you both and the hard work was your trial your love is true or fake now I am happy with your true love. Take my daughter with you as your wife and now he tells Miranda that he was a hirer of the king of Naples and you will be my queen. After this Prospero said to Ariel bring Antonio and the king of Naples before me.

Now his brother Antonio and the king of Naples requested Prospero to forgive them because they had made a revolt against you and deprived you of your kingdom and dukedom. Prospero took his brother and the king of Antonio in the room where Ferdinand and Miranda both were playing chess all alone in a fine room. When the king of Naples saw his son is alive he was very happy because in his opinion he drowned into the sea waves.

Now Prospero forgave his brother and the king Naples all sins of the past and embraced them with his chest. He said that he has married her daughter Miranda with the prince of Milan because both loved each other coming on this island. Gonzalo was very happy at the reconciliation of two brothers.