The Tempest by William Shakespeare | Summary & Analysis

Summarize videos instantly with our Course Assistant plugin, and enjoy AI-generated quizzes: bit.ly/ch-ai-asst William Shakespeare’s The Tempest explained in just a few minutes!
Professor Regina Buccola of Roosevelt University provides an in-depth analysis of the plot, characters, symbols, themes, and motifs of William Shakespeare's play The Tempest.
Download the free study guide and infographic for The Tempest here: www.coursehero.com/lit/The-Te...
William Shakespeare's The Tempest concerns a revenge plot orchestrated by magician Prospero, deposed king of Naples. By conjuring a storm, Prospero brings his enemies to the island where he has been exiled.
In one of the Bard's most spectacular and imaginative plays, enchantment and retribution combine in an intoxicating brew that ultimately illuminates the human condition.
Through his own spells and the work of his minions, the spirit Ariel and the scuttling monster Caliban, Prospero divides the survivors of the shipwreck, who include his traitorous brother Antonio, the new king, Alonso, and Alonso's son, Ferdinand.
The magician contrives to entrap Ferdinand using his beautiful daughter Miranda and puts his enemies through a series of tribulations using illusion and deception.
Realizing he has everyone under his control, Prospero also realizes he does not want to exact revenge but wants to extend mercy instead. He vows to give up his magic after he has brought about restoration.
Ariel brings the men, who are under a magic spell, to Prospero, who declares the various crimes that have been committed against him. Then he announces his forgiveness of them all.
William Shakespeare’s The Tempest was written c.1611. As Shakespeare's final play, it is also the playwright's farewell performance, in which he, like Prospero, relinquishes the magical power of the stage.
The drama contains many powerful symbols, including sleep and dreams as Prospero reflects on humanity as an elaborate dream; magic books that symbolize Shakespeare’s use of language and the magic of theatre; and the tempest, representing Prospero’s power, especially his power over nature. Themes include power and exploitation, servants, forgiveness and restoration, drowning, music, and the magic of theater.
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[@daredevil2999]

Welcome to the night before the exam club!

[@trc3680]

night before? hour before

[@dumplings4387]

I would deeply like to thank the person who made videos of this series Once again, I am really grateful for the explanation.

[@ely2833]

Really makes it easier. Even after having read it, it wasn't all that clear. Thank you for this video. 😄

[@zany_zombie7276]

Yes, this play is a bit bizarre, i think thats what makes it a comedy. Videos like this are a must while reading/watching shakespeare.

[@ely2833]

@@zany_zombie7276 Hey! While studying it, we've talked a lot about what kind of play it was. As several of Shakespeare's last plays, it doesn't correspond to the standards of comedy or tragedy. It has elements of both. The theme of imprisonment, the attempted murders (one of which is a fratricide), these elements are typical of tragedies for example. :)

[@zany_zombie7276]

ely Im interested in learning how much his style changes throughout his writing. Finished Henry VI part 3 yesterday; don't know if its because he had co-writers at this time, or because it was earlier in his life, but has a much different tone then his later stuff. (Although of the newer plays, I've only read Hamlet and the Tempest, so im not an expert.)

[@ely2833]

@@zany_zombie7276 I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but if someone is, it's James Shapiro. He wrote 1599, you might want to check it out. It doesn't exactly explain his style evolution, but shows what he probably drew inspiration from. I guess the causes would be historical, and commercial. He wrote and performed for a living, with heavy competition. He'd have had to go to great lengths to stay in the game. Surprise the audience to make them come back for more. As for the historical reasons, Shapiro's books will explain far better than I could. Hope it helps?

[@ilovefood9362]

@@ely2833 hey,i’m new to the literature and classics genre but i really wanna explore various authors,writers and their works. Could you please tell me how to get started and maybe suggest a fee beginner books/works?

[@nightknight2954]

night before exam huh? good luck lol

[@user-mp1jc5vh9r]

Watching it before reading gives you ability to discuss with the teacher After reading makes it easy to remember it and understand After the exam makes you sure you did quite well

[@kumailrizvee759]

Yo

[@nkatekomhlari780]

Shout out to my IEB people😀

[@sakirsk5234]

Thank you for discussing the play Ma'am. Actually the play is in our syllabus.I have completed my graduation in English from India. But now I am doing my MA. You have made this play very easy. You have explained it so easily.with a lot of respects and love for you from India.😍😍❤❤

[@bronwenkelly9523]

You have saved my life for my English final! Thank you!!!!

[@camadlakewood]

😭same writing tomorrow

[@englishliterature00]

Please, subscribe my channel to get more and more helpful videos regarding English literature 🌹

[@blair9456]

I learnt more in this video than the past two I watched, especially the reason behind Caliban's bad treatment. Course Hero, you are my HERO!!!

[@ramashrey4538]

Thanks for your video . It was of great help to me while creating my project . Thanks a lot guys

[@tobiedenton8210]

This was a huge help. Thank you

[@geldacastro6065]

You lead us easier by such complexity play. Thank you, Regina!

[@englishliterature00]

Please, subscribe my channel to get more and more helpful videos regarding English literature 🌹

[@joxlplayzz9410]

THANK YOUU!!!!!!! Y'ALL MAKE AMAZING VIDEOSSS!!

[@azkamunir6778]

thankyou so much this made the best notes for me

[@lolliebrown4056]

thank you so much- it only made sense to me and my daughter after seeing this video.

[@class2videos247]

Thank you very much ma'am for the wonderful explanation soo easy to understand thanks ma'am

[@kazimpashapasha3036]

Beautifully explained . Thank you so much

[@englishliterature00]

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[@rhajeim2974]

God bless anyone who posted this video❤️

[@_a_v_j]

Just watched this with my classmates at the shakespeare globe, so good

[@mqtr6059]

Excellent I learn too much thanks

[@manjusha1902]

Ma'am, please make videos on literary criticism.

[@parthdua1342]

this is so better than a 45 min class

[@CERACLIPPED]

lol writing exam tomorrow🥲 this rlly helped me. who needs to focus in class when we got Regina🤛🤞

[@doordiecalmmindwins7911]

A thunderous storm appeared when Duke of milan, Naples are travelling back to home by ship from Africa, who married off with his daughter, king of Algiers. Novels admonishes scenes recurring often leads to catastrophe impact. Antonio who deposed his own brother prospero were sailed thru Islamdai with Miranda, and had been living there for many many yeasr. 12 years. He found solace, resorted to his daughter manipulate towards his servants, and the spirits who helped him during the marriage ceremony , Ferdinand and Miranda reciprocated eacg other feelings, Trinculo and Stephano are remorseless

[@BELALUDDIN-ku3hj]

It is so good.

[@lilbella4553]

Thank You!!! ❤

[@elirivera497]

Thakns this was Helpful!

[@themistersmith]

This was helpful. Now reading Atwood's "Hag-Seed" a modern retelling of the story.

[@ely2833]

Hey, I've read it too! Devoured it in a night so I don't remember it all that much tbh. Should read it again. What did you think about it?

[@kerbodynamicx472]

I came here after watching MS Gundam: The Witch From Mercury which is another retelling of the story... I knew "Prospera", "Aerial" and "Calibarn" reminds me of something.

[@medhagangarambhaga6319]

Thanks this saved me for my exam tomorrow

[@jollysarkar3666]

Thank You so much

[@SevdenurK.]

Idk how many times you've saved my grades😅 thank you again and again...

[@channeloft]

fr they've done the same for me

[@medhagangarambhaga6319]

I swear Prospero is the real villain👀

[@adityasah5534]

Sycorax, mother of Caliban was already dead when prospero arrived to the island he didn't defeat her, he just helped Ariel

[@aakashchauhanf7046]

Great, love from INDIA.

[@Haizaki030]

Thank you very much!!

[@HASSANRAZA-bt5km]

Love Mam..it is really helpful.

[@englishliterature00]

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[@transuranicelements1335]

11:28 forgiveness misspelled

[@mdmuhashinali3073]

Thanks

[@ramashrey4538]

I supscribed to your channel after watching this

[@anjulapoonia2041]

Too good.tnx

[@englishliterature00]

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[@typicaltaurus4945]

I had to read the book in class and everyone laughed at me😭😂

[@candyfloss6086]

other than that everything is very helpful, thank you

[@aileenh5]

What is the difference between a "theme" and a "motif"?

[@harryhunter8911]

Theme is an idea that is introduced, from the beginning middle and end, where as a motif is the recurrence of different ideas within a text.

[@bongapercival2398]

Last hope, watching at 1:18am writing at 9:00am 👍

[@pritamsaha37]

god bless you guys

[@englishliterature00]

Please, subscribe my channel to get more and more helpful videos regarding English literature 🌹

[@doordiecalmmindwins7911]

*Snuck,Africa,king of Algiers,italy,Orchestrate, entice, recurred,meanwhile reciprocated, depose, traitor, treacherous, folly, awed, Utopia, remorseless,plots, potrays, conveys, swirling chaos, repercussions, contemplating, idealism, wielded, alliances, inexplicable, nobles on ship interfere, unleash, bad Duke, pursuit of knowledge, jeopardise,*

[@pacman4521]

You are a legend

[@universcv2897]

Zetsuen no tempest? Anyone?

[@SohamKumarMaiti]

You are so wise,...I started imagining you as Sycorax😂😂🤩🤩🤣🤣

[@jollysarkar3666]

Bad joke

[@andreabeasley8281]

really disappointed that y'all didn't even try to touch on the connection of colonialism and imperialism that is represented in the relationship between Prospero and Caliban. Nor did you touch on the racist qualities that were placed upon Caliban. These are very important in understanding the play as a whole and understanding where it would stand in today's world view

[@jadaandall9847]

...........okay. I see Caliban as someone who Prospero is intimated by, because of his looks and who his mother was. He was scared of him and tried to manipulated him into being 'friends' even though his mother was not a nice ruler of the island he still killed her and named himself the ruler, he ignored the fact that Caliban is the next ruler. I believe he was waiting for Caliban to try and do something to punish like a tempter. Yes, Caliban is foolish and cruel but the fact still remains because of his background and his 'looks' Prospero was first afraid before being angry with what he tried to do to his daughter. Prospero is a manipulative and cunning man.

[@ajanishillingford4849]

@@jadaandall9847 yes but I agree with Andrea, the behaviour displayed by Prospero towards Caliban is of racism and imperialism much like the times in which the play was written. When Shakespeare wrote this play, it was at a time where Europeans were forming colonies all over the world, in violent and forceful ways, and believed what they were doing was right. And here, you can clearly see this reference. So it was very important to make that link

[@lortiz-baca7720]

Stop being racist. All people matter.

[@Big-guy1981]

Literature and art are supposed to be timeless. "Understanding them in today's worldview" is plain dumb. Besides you're talking about a LEFTIST "today's worldview" not an universal one.

[@bradleynoble]

Please calm down

[@candyfloss6086]

Prospero did not defeat Calibans mother . the mother had died long before Prospero landed on the island

[@prachishrivastava9225]

☺😊

[@Johnwilkinsonofficial]

thank you for discussing what is actually in the play and not "viewing it through the lens" of whatever post modern nonsense is fashionable in our rotten university system.

[@erik878]

I am writing my 3rd spanish opera called Gitano or Opera de la Filosofia. The libretto is dense full of jokes and device, only one pun, the spanish Caballero pun, but it's used cleverly. I come up with a fertile premise and let the plot bounce around and I react to what I've written like a pin ball player. So I dont know what will happen but I am just going to keep adding twists and reversals like a huge Seinfeld episode. My 2nd opera is up on my channel all is free to listen I'm no business man

[@emersonjong2969]

Imagine 400 years later, people are forced to study the book Harry Potter, or the movie The Birdcage(just random examples). And then they have to analyze them and somehow understand the language that was used. WHY? DOESN'T THIS SOUND WEIRD? If not, then idk what to say to you. If yes, then why do we have to study these random ancient stories just because the author was a famous guy? Like, I get it, there will always be some people who are interested, but a lot of people just simply don't care! And it's not like studying these will help you in your life! When will a musician or an athlete need to know this? This is just adding unnecessary stress to the already stressful lives that we have! All I'm saying is that the current school system is BS and is too old fashioned. Someone needs to change it! And thank you Course Hero, No Fear Shakespeare, and etc. for making these miserable times a bit less miserable.

[@DaniNauschuetz]

It does sound weird to me but in a different way. Imagine someone studying Harry Potter 400 years from now. Wouldn't that be awesome? That person is going to have an insight into society as we know it. Studying literature is studying the history of mankind through art. Studying mankind will surely give us a deeper understanding of our current situation. The themes of these works of art are still relevant nowadays and forever. Learning to forgive people is a timeless dilemma. I get where you are coming from dude, sometimes we are overwhelmed with stuff, but appreciating and studying art shouldn't be regarded as useless.

[@caswillsaveme]

History often repeats itself, and the worries that those before us had are often worries that we still hold to this day. I think it is very important to study past literature in order to contextualize our own political and social situations, and to experience differing perspectives on ideas that we still enjoy exploring now. Often classic literature has underlying themes of human nature, relations, and power dynamics. The more we learn about the past and the politics and short comings of those who came before us, the more we can rise above issues and make informed strides within our own societies. All past literature, plays, and art hold significance in understanding both the past and our modern world. Plays themselves are a form of art! There will always be a level of disbelief to be held while watching them. I hope you someday learn to love classic literature, there are so many different types of amazing books and plays out there for you to experience. :)

[@mrhendley6350]

We don't study Shakespeare because he is famous. We study Shakespeare because he is a master of language and storytelling. Only Dickens has probably got close to his level of intelligent writing. In English, you are supposed to study the best writers that have come before us so that you can learn something from them. People won't study Harry Potter in 300/400 years time because, whilst I find HP very enjoyable, JK Rowling is not a masterful writer in terms of language / story.

[@user-ej1gz7wd3i]

I do dislike. It looks like a 33 playing at 45 rpm. Are you in a rush M´lady ?

[@pacman4521]

She was talking at a normal speed

[@deyontaepatterson5695]

i was hoping that the situation with caliban and miranda would have been more sugarcoated

[@caswillsaveme]

That kind of goes against the whole point of its inclusion within the play?

[@SupremeLegend574]

hahahaha

[@lifeofanApro]

You look like Cleopatra

[@fshzi]

very important to view this play from a post-colonial, feminist and Christian perspective. Plus, Alonso married his daughter, Claribel, to the king of Tunis, not Algiers. Sycorax originates from Algiers (what racist nonsense.)

[@upless7600]

God bless

[@benzandpour]

Boring. Feels like a college essay read aloud