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The Tempest Study Guide

by William Shakespeare

The Tempest study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Act I

The play begins on a ship, with a ship-master and a boatswain trying to keep the ship from wrecking in a tempest. Alonso, King of Naples, is on board, as are his brothers Antonio and Sebastian. Alonso comes above deck merely to give the mariners an unnecessary order; the boatswain begs the nobles to keep below deck during the storm, so that the men can do their jobs without distraction. However, Antonio and Sebastian take the opportunity to make rude and sarcastic remarks to the good boatswain, and can do nothing to help. A spell comes over all on board, and the mariners all flee in desperation; the nobles on deck decide that all is lost without the sailors, and go below deck to say goodbye to their king.

Miranda and Prospero are…

Read the full The Tempest Summary

• The Tempest Summary
• About The Tempest
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis of Act I
• Summary and Analysis of Act II
• Summary and Analysis of Act III
• Summary and Analysis of Act IV
• Summary and Analysis of Act V
• About Shakespearean Theater
• Related Links on The Tempest
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• The Tempest: Essays
• The Tempest: E-Text
• The Tempest: Questions
• The Tempest: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• William Shakespeare: Biography