Prospero, a sorcerer, dwells on an enchanted island with his daughter, Miranda. Twelve years ago, when he was Duke of Milan, Prospero withdrew more and more into his studies, leaving the management of his state to his brother Antonio. Eventually, with the help of Alonso, King of Naples, and the King's brother Sebastian (both enemies of Prospero) Antonio usurped the dukedom for himself. Prospero and his baby daughter Miranda had been put to sea in a rotten boat and they were eventually marooned. On this distant island once ruled by the witch Sycorax live only her son, Caliban, and a spirit, Ariel.
Since then Prospero has ruled the island and its two inhabitants by the use of magic arts derived from his tudies. His daughter, Miranda, has grown up seeing no other human being.
Prospero's magic divines that fortune has brought his enemies close to the island and he sees an opportunity to work his revenge. He uses his powers to raise a storm which shipwrecks them. When Miranda questions this, he tells her the story of their arrival on the island and assures her that no real harm will comes to the survivors.
The shipwrecked travelers are separated. At Prospero's bidding, the invisible Ariel directs their wanderings. Ariel leads Ferdinand, the King's son, to Prospero's cell, where Ferdinand and Miranda fall instantly in love. Prospero gives heavy tasks to Ferdinand to test him.
Elsewhere on the island, Alonso seraches for his son, although fearing him to drowned. Sebastian, the king's brother, plots to kill Alonso and seize the crown. Meanwhile, the drunken butler, Stephano, and the jester, Trinculo, encounter Caliban who persuades them to kill Prospero so that they can rule the island. However, Ariel manages to make mischief among them and they are soon bickering amongst themselves.
Satisfied that Ferdinand has met all his cahllenges, Prospero presents the young couple with a betrothal masque celebrating chastity and the blessings of marriage. He is distracted fromthis, however, when he remembers Caliban's plot and abruptly calls the revels to a halt.
As Prospero's plan draws to its climax, he vows that upon its completion he will abandon his magic arts. Ariel brings Alonso and his followers to Prospero's cave, and Prospero, in his own persona as Duke of Milan, confronts his brothr and Alonso and forgives them, and reveals Ferdinand alive and well, playing chess with Miranda. In the betrothal of Ferdinand and Miranda, the rift between Naples and Milan is healed. Finally, Prospero grants Ariel freedom and releases Caliban from servitude. As he prepares to leave the island for Milan and his restored Dukedom, he abandons his magic and asks of Ariel the favor of calm seas and a favorable wind for their journey.
Prospero, a sorcerer, dwells on an enchanted island with his daughter, Miranda. Twelve years ago, when he was Duke of Milan, Prospero withdrew more and more into his studies, leaving the management of his state to his brother Antonio. Eventually, with the help of Alonso, King of Naples, and the King's brother Sebastian (both enemies of Prospero) Antonio usurped the dukedom for himself. Prospero and his baby daughter Miranda had been put to sea in a rotten boat and they were eventually marooned. On this distant island once ruled by the witch Sycorax live only her son, Caliban, and a spirit, Ariel.
Since then Prospero has ruled the island and its two inhabitants by the use of magic arts derived from his tudies. His daughter, Miranda, has grown up seeing no other human being.
Prospero's magic divines that fortune has brought his enemies close to the island and he sees an opportunity to work his revenge. He uses his powers to raise a storm which shipwrecks them. When Miranda questions this, he tells her the story of their arrival on the island and assures her that no real harm will comes to the survivors.
The shipwrecked travelers are separated. At Prospero's bidding, the invisible Ariel directs their wanderings. Ariel leads Ferdinand, the King's son, to Prospero's cell, where Ferdinand and Miranda fall instantly in love. Prospero gives heavy tasks to Ferdinand to test him.
Elsewhere on the island, Alonso seraches for his son, although fearing him to drowned. Sebastian, the king's brother, plots to kill Alonso and seize the crown. Meanwhile, the drunken butler, Stephano, and the jester, Trinculo, encounter Caliban who persuades them to kill Prospero so that they can rule the island. However, Ariel manages to make mischief among them and they are soon bickering amongst themselves.
Satisfied that Ferdinand has met all his cahllenges, Prospero presents the young couple with a betrothal masque celebrating chastity and the blessings of marriage. He is distracted fromthis, however, when he remembers Caliban's plot and abruptly calls the revels to a halt.
As Prospero's plan draws to its climax, he vows that upon its completion he will abandon his magic arts. Ariel brings Alonso and his followers to Prospero's cave, and Prospero, in his own persona as Duke of Milan, confronts his brothr and Alonso and forgives them, and reveals Ferdinand alive and well, playing chess with Miranda. In the betrothal of Ferdinand and Miranda, the rift between Naples and Milan is healed. Finally, Prospero grants Ariel freedom and releases Caliban from servitude. As he prepares to leave the island for Milan and his restored Dukedom, he abandons his magic and asks of Ariel the favor of calm seas and a favorable wind for their journey.