Detailed Scene Analysis & Summary of The Tempest by Shakespeare
Act 1, Scene 1 On board a ship caught in a violent storm are: Alonso, the King of Naples Ferdinand, his son Sebastian, his brother Gonzalo, his counsellor Antonio, the Duke of Milan Adrian and Francisco, two lords The noblemen are returning to Italy after Alonso’s daughter's wedding in Tunisia. The storm threatens to sink the ship while sailors and noblemen clash over control. What do we learn? The power dynamics among the noblemen and sailors during a crisis The imminent danger to the ship and its passengers Act 1, Scene 2 Miranda witnesses the storm and expresses concern for the ship and its passengers. Prospero, her father and a sorcerer, reassures her and tells her their history: Prospero was the Duke of Milan until betrayed by his brother Antonio with Alonso's help. They were cast adrift but arrived on the island by divine providence. Prospero uses magic to calm Miranda and summons Ariel, his spirit servant, who created the storm. The ship is safe, and Prospero tasks Ariel with more work…