The Tempest

Prospero uses his magic to unleash a violent storm at sea. The illusion is designed to bring Alonso and his crew to the island while other ships are scattered. The tempest serves as the means to trap the shipwrecked party on Prospero’s domain.

Ariel the spirit informs Prospero about how the tempest was an illusion he conjured at his master's command. The purpose is to bring the King of Naples and his son to the island and to trap them there. Prospero uses this information to plan his next moves.

Miranda joins her father in his study and they discuss their pasts. Prospero uses the moment to reflect on how he came to the island and what has been done to them. The exchange sets up the emotional stakes of their exile.

Caliban interrupts and recounts his status as the island’s rightful owner, claiming Prospero enslaved him after he taught Prospero to survive. Prospero stomps on Caliban’s fingers and threatens punishment for insubordination. The dialogue deepens the island’s power dynamics.

Ariel announces that the wrecked ship is hidden, while Alonso and Ferdinand have been separated by the storm. Prospero orders Ariel to bring Ferdinand into the house. The separation sets the stage for the testing of Ferdinand.

Ariel lures Ferdinand into Prospero’s house by song, and Ferdinand falls asleep by the fireplace. Prospero promises Ariel freedom in two days in exchange for bringing Ferdinand to the house. Ferdinand is given clothing and shackled ankles as part of a 'trial'.

Prospero explains he was once Duke of Milan and surrendered governance to Antonio so he could study magic. Antonio, with Alonso’s support, overthrew him and they were exiled to the island. He shows Miranda a vision of their past and reveals the storm was aimed at revenge.

Alonso and the other survivors follow music into Prospero’s empty ballroom and are ambushed by hissing imps. Ariel appears and mocks them for past wrongs, triggering a magical stasis that freezes them in place and traps them in cobwebs. The moment marks a turning point toward reconciliation.

Prospero witnesses Miranda and Ferdinand kissing and learns they intend to marry. He frames Ferdinand’s servitude as a test to prove his worthiness and grants him a path to freedom. Miranda’s trust and Ferdinand’s virtue further the planned reconciliation.

Prospero and Ariel conjure a lavish masque around the frozen nobles. Sailors dance frantically around the ballroom while Miranda and Ferdinand appear in wedding attire. The spectacle foreshadows the couple’s union and the restoration of order.

Prospero awakens Alonso and the others from stasis, reuniting Ferdinand with his father and forgiving past betrayals. The troupe witnesses a divine appearance: a Goddess sings as the moment resolves. The reconciliation marks the island’s restoration.

In the final moment, Prospero and Ariel are alone in the study. Ariel sings him to sleep and then departs, leaving Prospero to address the viewer with the line, These revels now have ended. The credits roll as the story closes.