"The Tempest," written in 1611, was the final play that William Shakespeare wrote on his own. It is also one of only two Shakespeare plays that are entirely original. Because of those two facts, many assume that Prospero, one of the major characters in the play, is an amalgamation of Shakespeare himself.
"The Tempest" explores themes of betrayal, forgiveness, colonialism, and servitude through the tale of a group of nobles stranded on a mysterious island.
As the play begins, a boat is caught in a violent storm. Aboard are a number of nobles, including the king of Naples and Antonio, the duke of Milan, all fearing that the ship will be wrecked and they will be drowned. On a nearby island, a young woman, Miranda, begs her father, Prospero, to stop the storm, which he has created through sorcery. Prospero refuses, explaining that the men on the boat are their enemies. . .
