The Oxford Dictionary of Plays

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The Tempest

Tempest, The

Author: William Shakespeare

First Performance: c.1610–11, London

Published: 1623

Genre: Com. in 5 acts; blank verse and prose

Setting: Mediterranean island, indeterminate period

Cast: 14m, 1f, extras

Twelve years ago Prospero lost the dukedom of Milan to his scheming brother Antonio, and was put out to sea with his 3-year-old daughter Miranda. They now live on an isolated island, accompanied by two slaves, the spirit Ariel and the brutish Caliban. Using his magic powers, Prospero causes the ship in which Antonio is travelling with the King of Naples and his son to be wrecked on the island. Imagining his father to be drowned, the King's son Ferdinand encounters Prospero and falls in love with Miranda. Prospero orders him to commit menial tasks. The King himself is about to be murdered by...

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