The Tempest (Folger Shakespeare Library)
The authoritative edition of The Tempest from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for both students and general readers.
Putting romance onstage, The Tempest gives us a magician, Prospero, a former duke of Milan who was displaced by his treacherous brother, Antonio. Prospero is exiled on an island, where his only companions are his daughter, Miranda, the spirit Ariel, and the monster Caliban. When his enemies are among those caught in a storm near the island, Prospero turns his power upon them through Ariel and other spirits.
The characters exceed the roles of villains and heroes. Prospero seems heroic, yet he enslaves Caliban and has an appetite for revenge. Caliban seems to be a monster for attacking Miranda, but appears heroic in resisting Prospero, evoking the period of colonialism during which the play was written. Miranda’s engagement to Ferdinand, the Prince of Naples and a member of the shipwrecked party, helps resolve the drama.
This edition includes:
-Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play
-Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play
-Scene-by-scene plot summaries
-A key to the play’s famous lines and phrases
-An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language
-An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play
-Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books
-An annotated guide to further reading
Essay by Barbara A. Mowat
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.
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Community Reviews
This is one of Shakespeare's latest plays. It was interesting, but, for the moment, not one of my top favourites. Mainly, because of the plot and characters.
I found it quite "fantastic" as it's full of magic, spirits, and also it contains some bizarre characters. Particularly, Caliban, that I'm making an effort to understand, but don't really like this character at all, of course, just for the moment. Because maybe, a rereading will help me to appreciate this masterpiece.
Anyway, I liked Miranda, and her love at first sight with Ferdinand, as she had never seen another man but her father during all her life. However, it's weird because Ferdinand wanted to marry her as soon as he met her, and he was a castaway who had recently emerged from the sea without knowing if his father was still alive!. I also find that this play has a lot of wicked characters, like Sebastian, Antonio, Caliban, Trinculo and Esteban, and they are all magically forgiven by Prospero in the end! I understand this play is about knowing to forgive, and the benefits of showing mercy, but is a little bit difficult to belive... like if the characters were in a hurry to end well at the final part.