Synopsis

Prospero, Duke of Milan, whose "library was dukedom large enough," with his daughter Miranda takes refuge from his brother Antonio's treachery on an island where they live with the help of the air-sprite Ariel and the earthy slave Caliban. When Miranda is a young lady, Prospero uses his book-learned magic powers to summon a tempest (Shakespeare's favorite symbol of tragic conflict) to wreck upon the island Alonso, King of Naples, with his son Ferdinand, Antonio, and others who had connived in the deposing of Prospero. Ariel annoys and perplexes the shipwrecked gentlemen, while Caliban grows drunken with the jester and the butler, Trinculo and Stephano, and plots rebellion against Prospero. Ferdinand, falling in love with Miranda, makes himself her servant. After further exercise of Prospero's magic - in a banquet placed before the newcomers which, even as they reach for the viands, vanishes; and in a wedding pageant and dance of Iris, Juno, Ceres, and nymphs and reapers - Prospero has all the people on the island come together; he reveals his identity, forgives the contrite nobles, and lays his blessing upon his daughter and the prince. "How many goodly creatures are there here!" exclaims Miranda in glad wonder. "O brave new world, That has such people in it!"

--Joseph T. Shipley from "The Crown Guide to the World's Greatest Plays"