It seems Strachey's tales greatly influenced Shakespeare, particularly his accounts of the shipwreck and island life. Shakespeare also had access to a fascinating report by William Strachey, an author and explorer who had been marooned for ten months in Bermuda. Notice that Caliban, the name of the character who represents Montaigne's natural man, is an anagram of cannibal (spelled canibal in Shakespeare's time).

Gonzalo's speech on an ideal commonwealth (2.1.143-160) is a direct reference to and refutation of Montaigne's notion of a utopian society, which would be free from obedience to social and moral laws. Both works are concerned with the differences between natural and artificial society and between barbaric and moral man. Montaigne's essay on the New World, Of Cannibals, is an undisputed source for Shakespeare's The Tempest. You taught me language and my profit on't How to Pronounce the Names in The TempestĪ Midsummer Night's Dream: Exam Questions and Answers The Significance of The Tempest to the Editors of the First FolioĮxploring the Nature of Shakespearean Comedyīlank Verse, Prose, and Diction in Shakespeare's Tempest The Relationship Between Miranda and Ferdinand The Contrast Between Ariel and Caliban in Shakespeare's Tempest Magic, Books, and the Supernatural in The Tempest Before PROSPERO'S cell.Įxamination Questions and Answers on The Tempestįorgiveness and Reconciliation in The Tempest Please see the bottom of this page for helpful Tempest resources.Shipwrecked with them are the courtier, Gonzalo, and the Duke of Milan, Antonio. They were on their way home home from Tunis to Italy when the storm hit and demolished their ship. Prospero grants Ariel his freedom and prepares to leave the island.Ĭlose to a Mediterranean island, a storm overcomes a ship that carries King Alonso of Naples, his son Ferdinand, and his brother Sebastian. The families are reunited and all conflict is resolved.

Their celebrations are cut short when Prospero confronts his brother and reveals his identity as the usurped Duke of Milan. The King’s young son Ferdinand, thought to be dead, falls in love with Prospero’s daughter Miranda. Prospero’s slave, Caliban, plots to rid himself of his master, but is thwarted by Prospero’s spirit-servant Ariel. Prospero uses magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio. TL DR: A crew of men are shipwrecked on a magical island and tormented by an old man and his slaves. Information to help you plan your visit to Shakespeare's family homes Prices, booking, opening times and more to help you get organisedĮnjoy seasonal activities and special events throughout the year Walk in Shakespeare's footsteps at Shakespeare's New Place Relive Shakespeare's love story at Anne Hathaway's Cottage Visit William Shakespeare's Birthplace and explore his childhood world, right where it all began.

The Tempest by William Shakespeare