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The Tempest tells the tale of Prospero and
his daughter who were set adrift in a boat 12 years ago. Prospero was
the Duke of Milan, but his brother conspired with the King of Naples and
took over his dukedom. Prospero and his three year old daughter,
Miranda, survived their terrible ordeal and arrived at an Island, where
they have been living ever since. During that time Prospero has raised
Miranda. She has now grown into a young woman, whilst Prospero has
become old. The Island is a mysterious place full of strange sights and
sounds. It is deserted apart from a spirit, called Ariel, and Caliban.
Caliban is the son of a witch called Sycorax who was banished to the
island many years before but died before Prospero and Miranda arrived.
Ariel was originally her servant. Before Sycorax died she imprisoned
Ariel in a tree where he remained, screaming in agony, for 12 years
until Prospero came. Grateful for his release, Ariel serves Prospero,
but also dreams of complete freedom. Caliban is also under Prospero's
power. He is heavily restricted because of the danger he presents to
Miranda.
By providence the perpetrators of the original 'coup' against Prospero,
are sailing past the island. Prospero is a man of great learning and he
uses his mysterious powers to create a storm which causes their ship to
run aground and be smashed to pieces. It appears as if everyone on board
has drowned. In fact Prospero and Ariel have placed the royal party
safely in different places around the island. The King, Alonso, is sure
that his son has drowned and his son, Ferdinand, is equally sure that
his father is lost. Prospero and Ariel work together to drive all the
guilty people to the brink of despair. They also bring Ferdinand and
Miranda together. Inevitably they fall in love. Finally the guilty
repent their past sins and Prospero forgives them. The ship is restored
and they leave the island. Ariel is released from his service, and as
everybody sails away to return to Milan where Prospero will again be the
duke, Caliban is left alone on the island, which he has always claimed
is his by right.
Prospero has managed to right the wrong that was done to him and perhaps
more importantly to secure an appropriate future for his daughter. He is
aware that he has pushed his use of the supernatural to the limit and
decides to lay aside these powers for ever.
In one way or another everybody is set free.
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