Oct 6, 2008

The Tempest | Act I, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis

New Characters
Alonso: king of Naples who has conspired to usurp Prospero’s dukedom

Gonzalo: an old councilor who has shown compassion to Prospero and Miranda

Antonio: Prospero’s brother, the usurping Duke of Milan

Sebastian: Alonso’s brother

Ship–master: master or captain of the ship

Boatswain: the ship’s officer in charge of the crew and the rigging of the sails

Mariners: the ship’s crew who take orders from the Boatswain

Summary
The play begins with flashes of lightning, the cracking of thunder, and the urgent shouts of the Ship–master,...