ACT 1: THE STORM
- THE STORM: A ship, captained by the Master and Boatswain, struggles in a violent storm.
- PROSPERO’S STORY: Prospero, with his daughter Miranda, watches the storm and recounts their exile from Milan by his brother Antonio.
KEY SCENE: ARIEL REPORTS BACK
- ARIEL REPORTS BACK: Ariel informs Prospero of the successful execution of his storm plan, leading to the shipwreck of Alonso and company.
PROSPERO VISITS CALIBAN
- PROSPERO VISITS CALIBAN: Prospero takes Miranda to see Caliban, his reluctant servant, on the island.
FERDINAND AND MIRANDA MEET
- FERDINAND AND MIRANDA MEET: Ariel orchestrates a meeting between Ferdinand and Miranda, who fall in love under Prospero's watchful eye.
ACT 2: THE NOBLES
- THE NOBLES: Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, and Gonzalo find themselves stranded on Prospero's island after the storm.
- ANTONIO AND SEBASTIAN PLOT: Antonio and Sebastian conspire to kill Alonso and seize power, thwarted by Ariel's intervention.
KEY SCENE: TRINCULO FINDS CALIBAN
- TRINCULO FINDS CALIBAN: Caliban encounters Alonso’s jester, Trinculo, leading to a comedic misunderstanding.
STEPHANO ARRIVES
- STEPHANO ARRIVES: Stephano, Alonso's drunken butler, encounters Caliban and Trinculo, forming a plan to overthrow Prospero.
ACT 3: THE LOG SCENE
- THE LOG SCENE: Prospero tasks Ferdinand with a challenging chore, during which he and Miranda deepen their love.
CALIBAN’S NEW MASTER
- CALIBAN’S NEW MASTER: Caliban convinces Stephano to overthrow Prospero, leading to a plan disrupted by Ariel's magic.
THE BANQUET
- THE BANQUET: Ariel appears as a harpy to admonish Alonso and his nobles for their past wrongs, causing turmoil.
ACT 4: FERDINAND AND MIRANDA MARRY
- FERDINAND AND MIRANDA MARRY: Prospero blesses Ferdinand and Miranda's union with a magical spectacle involving spirits.
PROSPERO REMEMBERS CALIBAN
- PROSPERO REMEMBERS CALIBAN: Prospero interrupts the festivities to deal with Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano's treachery.
ARIEL CATCHES CALIBAN
- ARIEL CATCHES CALIBAN: Ariel tricks Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano with magical illusions, restoring order.
ACT 5: THE NOBLES UNDER A SPELL
- THE NOBLES UNDER A SPELL: Prospero confronts Alonso and his court, resolving to forgive them and end his use of magic.
PROSPERO GIVES UP MAGIC
- PROSPERO GIVES UP MAGIC: Prospero renounces his powers in a soliloquy, choosing forgiveness over vengeance.
PROSPERO TRANSFORMS
- PROSPERO TRANSFORMS: Prospero reveals his true identity to Alonso and pardons his brother Antonio, reuniting all.
KEY SCENE: LEAVING THE ISLAND
- LEAVING THE ISLAND: Prospero prepares to return to Milan with Alonso and company, ending his exile.
TEACHER NOTES
- The Story in Twenty Minutes activity is recommended for a deeper exploration of the play's themes and plot.
- Students can create their own timelines or physical representations of the play's events for further engagement.