The Tempest, Story Timeline, William Shakespeare

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.

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