The Tempest Play Fact Sheet

The Tempest Play Fact Sheet
The Tempest, Comedy, Written between 1610 and 1611
Characters:
Synopsis:
Prospero – The main character, overthrown Duke of Milan who
now lives on an island and presents himself as a great sorcerer
Prospero, overthrown and exiled Duke of Milan, lives on a
small island with his daughter Miranda. By chance, his
usurping brother Antonio, along with Alonso, King of
Naples (who helped him) and his retinue, have passed
near the island on a ship; Prospero, aided by his fairy
servant Ariel, has magically called up a tempest to shipwreck them. Prospero toys with them but ultimately
forgives Alonso (who has been betrayed in turn by Antonio) and permits Alonso's son Ferdinand to marry Miranda. Before returning to reclaim his throne, Prospero
renounces magic.
Miranda – Prospero’s daughter who falls in love with the Prince
of Naples, Ferdinand. Ariel – a spirit who does Prospero’s bidding
Caliban – a villainous island native
Sycorax – a deceased Algerian sorceress and mother of Caliban.
Iris, Ceres and Juno – spirits and goddesses
Alonso – King of Naples.
Sebastian – Alonso’s treacherous brother
Antonio – Propspero’s brother
Ferdinand – Alonso’s son
Gonzalo – a kindly Neapolitan courtier
Adrian and Francisco – lords.
Trinculo – the King’s jester and friend of Stephano
Stephano – the King’s drunken steward
Boatswain-Master of the ship.
In Film
The Tempest 2011, starring Helen Mirren.