I don’t think I’ve read The Tempest by William Shakespeare before, but in my head it was about a magician on an island. Briefly, the play is set on a remote island, where Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, and his daughter Miranda were ship-wrecked years before. Prospero plots to restore himself to his rightful place. He is a magician and has control over the spirits of the island, including his main helper, Ariel. The island sole other inhabitant who was there before Prospero is Caliban, a monstrous person who acts as a slave to Prospero, but speaks beautifully. A storm brings to the island Prospero’s usurping brother Antonio and the complicit Alonso, King of Naples. Prospero can finally gain his revenge, but chooses forgiveness instead. In the end, Prospero will to return to his place in Milan, Miranda will marry Alonso’s son, Ferdinand, and Ariel is freed. I’m not sure if Caliban will be left on the island on his own or will go to Italy with Prospero.
I enjoyed reading this play, but I am definitely glad I chose an annotated version. I’m sure I got more out of it reading the introduction first and then having the definitions of the words I was unfamiliar with. Like any play, though, I’m sure actually seeing it performed would have been preferable, but that’s not always possible.
Prospero was an interesting character, almost all-powerful on the island, even the water obeyed his commands. But in the end he chooses forgiveness over revenge and, before departing for Milan, renounces his magic, breaking his magic staff and buries his book. It’s like he’s going to return to reality from this enchanted island. I like him, even though he could be nasty to Caliban, but even that I understand. After all, Caliban attempted to rape Miranda at some point before this story takes place. I know that some critics have equated Prospero’s magic with the theater, and his leaving it behind equalling Shakespeare saying farewell to the stage, as this is one of his last plays, if not the final one.
This play has a bit of everything, music, magic, romance, even a bit of comedy. And a happy ending to top it all off.
And some quotes, because really Shakespeare’s writing is simply beautiful.
Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises,
Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometimes voices,
That if I then had waked after long sleep,
Will make me sleep again, and then in dreaming
The clouds methought would open, and show riches
Ready to drop upon me, that when I waked
I cried to dream again.
(3.2.131-139), Caliban
We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
(4.1.156-8), Prospero
Where the bee sucks, there suck I,
In a cowslip’s bell I lie,
There I couch when owls do cry,
On the bat’s back I do fly
After summer merrily.
Merrily, merrily, shall I live now
Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.
(5.1.88-94), Ariel singing
5 out of 5 stars
Category: Classics- Play
Amazon | IndieBound | Read on-line
First published 1611
192 pages
Book source: Library
Shakespeare Reading Month is hosted by Allie at A Literary Odyssey.
I am so impressed with what you read…really…
Actually, I think Shakespeare is pretty fun, especially if you have a version that translates some of the more obscure words and phrases.
I have never actually read Shakespeare, one day perhaps, or not 😉 At least I have seen a few movies
This is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, although granted I’ve only read a handful. It’s one of the few I’ve actually seen performed on the stage. I always was intrigued by the character of Caliban.
Yeah, he’s odd. I don’t know whether to root for him or dislike him.
Wow I am super impressed that you read this because I don’t know if I could push myself to read Shakespeare outside of school as much as I loved him. I think I read this play though because it sounds very familiar.
I loved seeing this play performed, outdoors at night in the middle of the woods. Made the magical elements even more bewitching.
That does sounds like the perfect time and place for a performance of this one. I would love to see it live.
I haven’t read Shakespeare since high school, but my son enjoys his work so much, he took two Shakespeare classes in college.
That’s great. I think I may have read one of Shakespeare’s plays in college as part of a lit class, but I don’t remember which one. And I think we read a couple in high school, but once again my memory’s fuzzy.
I have never read The Tempest before. One day I will get around to it…
I really liked the magical elements in this one. I was just cleaning out some cupboard space and found all my Shakespeare books from college and was thinking I need to read one of my favorites again. Now you’ve inspired me to actually choose one and do it this year!
Which is your absolute favorite?
I need to read more Shakespeare. Especially now that I am so close to the Globe Theater. Great review.
Ah, if I ever make it to London, I have to see a performacnce at the Globe Theater.
This is one that I haven’t read before, but alwasy wanted to. I still haven’t seen the movie with Helen Mirren as Prospero either.
I haven’t seen it either.
You know I have never read this one as well. Sounds like a wonderful read. 🙂 Thank you!