The30MinuteShakespeare

The following is a list of characters that appear in this cutting of The Tempest.

For the full breakdown of characters, see Sample Program.

PROSPERO: Former Duke of Milan, now a magician on a Mediterranean island

SAILORS

MASTER OF THE SHIP BOATSWAIN OF THE SHIP

ALONSO: King of Naples

SEBASTIAN: Alonso’s brother

ANTONIO: Usurping Duke of Milan, and Prospero’s brother

FERDINAND: Prince of Naples, and Alonso’s son GONZALO: Counselor to Alonso, and friend to Prospero MIRANDA: Prospero’s daughter

ARIEL: An airy spirit, servant to Prospero

CALIBAN: A savage inhabitant of the island, servant to Prospero

TRINCULO: Servant to Alonso STEPHANO: Alonso’s drunken butler STRANGE SHAPES

DOGS NARRATOR

 

 

 

 

✴ SCENE 1. (ACT I, SCENE I)

On a ship at sea.

STAGEHAND sets stool upstage right.

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #1 (“Storm sounds”).

Enter PROSPERO from stage left. He stands on stool upstage right and “directs” the storm with his staff. Enter SAILORS from stage right, pulling ropes in slow motion as NARRATOR speaks.

Enter NARRATOR from stage rear, coming downstage center.

 

NARRATOR

On board a ship carrying King Alonso of Naples and his men, a boatswain directs the crew to fight a great storm (raises voice over growing storm noises) . . . but the ship appears destined to sink!

Exit NARRATOR stage left. Exit PROSPERO and SAILORS stage right.

Enter MASTER and BOATSWAIN from stage right.

 

MASTER

Boatswain!

 

BOATSWAIN

Here, master: What cheer?

2 ✴ THE TEMPEST

 

MASTER

Good, speak to the mariners: fall to’t, yarely, or we run ourselves aground: bestir, bestir.

 

Exit MASTER stage right.

Enter SAILORS from stage right, pulling on rope.

 

BOATSWAIN

Heigh, my hearts! Cheerly! Yare, yare! Take in the topsail!

Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, FERDINAND, and GONZALO

from stage right.

 

ALONSO

Good boatswain, have care. Where’s the master?

 

BOATSWAIN

I pray now, keep below.

 

ANTONIO

Where is the master, boatswain?

 

BOATSWAIN

You mar our labor: keep your cabins!

 

GONZALO

Nay, good, be patient.

 

BOATSWAIN

When the sea is. Hence! What cares these roarers for the name of king? To cabin: trouble us not.

Out of our way, I say.

 

GONZALO (aside to ANTONIO and ALONSO)

THE TEMPEST ✴ 3

I have great comfort from this fellow: methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him.

Exit ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, FERDINAND, and GONZALO

stage right.

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #2 (“Thunder”).

SAILORS lurch stage left, pulling rope.

 

BOATSWAIN

Down with the topmast! Yare! Lower, lower!

Re-enter SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, and GONZALO from stage right.

Yet again! What do you here? Have you a mind to sink?

 

SEBASTIAN

A pox o’ your throat, you bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog!

 

BOATSWAIN

Work you then.

 

ANTONIO

Hang, cur! Hang, you whoreson, insolent noisemaker! We are less afraid to be drowned than thou art.

 

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #3 (“Thunder”).

SAILORS lurch far stage right, pulling rope.

 

BOATSWAIN

Lay her a-hold! What, must our mouths be cold?

4 ✴ THE TEMPEST

 

ANTONIO

We are merely cheated of our lives by drunkards: Let’s all sink with the king.

 

Exit ANTONIO and SEBASTIAN stage right.

 

GONZALO

Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground.

 

Exit ALL stage right.

 

 

 

 

✴ SCENE 2. (ACT I, SCENE II)

The island. Before PROSPERO’S cell.

STAGEHANDS remove stool from upstage left and place chair downstage, just right of center.

Enter NARRATOR from stage rear, coming downstage center.

 

NARRATOR

Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, has been stranded on a barren island for twelve years with his daughter, Miranda. He explains to her that he used his magic to raise the recent storm, but no one was harmed. King Alonso’s son, Ferdinand, falls instantly in love with Miranda, to Prospero’s delight.

Exit NARRATOR stage left.

Enter PROSPERO and MIRANDA from stage right. MIRANDA sits in chair.

 

MIRANDA (standing, looking over the audience to the sea) If by your art, my dearest father, you have Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them.

A brave vessel, dash’d all to pieces.

 

PROSPERO

Be collected: There’s no harm done.

I should inform thee farther. Pluck my magic garment from me.

(lays down his mantle)

 

Thou must now know farther. Twelve year since, Miranda,

Thy father was the Duke of Milan.

 

MIRANDA

O the heavens!

 

PROSPERO

Thy uncle, call’d Antonio, did believe he was indeed the duke;

The King of Naples and Antonio prepared a rotten carcass of a boat;

There they hoist us, to cry to the sea that roar’d to us.

 

MIRANDA

How came we ashore?

 

PROSPERO

By Providence divine.

(dons his mantle again)

 

MIRANDA

I pray you, sir, your reason for raising this sea-storm?

 

PROSPERO

By accident most strange hath mine enemies brought to this shore. Here cease more questions: Thou art inclined to sleep.

PROSPERO waves his hands, casting a spell over MIRANDA. SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #4 (“Ding”).

MIRANDA sleeps.

 

Come, servant.

Approach, my Ariel, come.

Enter ARIEL from stage right, playing the recorder.

 

ARIEL

All hail, great master! I come to answer thy best pleasure;

To ride on the curl’d clouds, Ariel and all her quality.

 

PROSPERO

Hast thou, spirit,

Perform’d to point the tempest that I bade thee?

 

ARIEL

To every article.

I boarded the king’s ship; I flamed amazement.

The king’s son, Ferdinand, was the first man that leap’d,

Not a hair perish’d;

In troops I have dispersed them ’bout the isle. The king’s son have I landed by himself.

 

PROSPERO

Ariel, there’s more work.

 

ARIEL

Is there more toil?

Let me remember thee what thou hast promised, My liberty.

 

PROSPERO

Do so, and after two days I will discharge thee.

Go make thyself invisible.

 

Exit ARIEL stage right.

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #5 (“Ding”).

(to MIRANDA) Awake, dear heart, awake! Thou hast slept well; awake!

MIRANDA awakes.

Re-enter ARIEL from stage right, invisible, playing and singing, with FERDINAND following.

 

FERDINAND

Where should this music be? I’ the air or the earth?

 

ARIEL

Full fathom five thy father lies; Those are pearls that were his eyes.

 

FERDINAND (agitated, sad)

The ditty does remember my drown’d father.

 

MIRANDA

What is’t? A spirit? It carries a brave form. I might call her a thing divine.

 

PROSPERO (aside to ARIEL)

It goes on, I see,

As my soul prompts it.

ARIEL, still invisible, turns FERDINAND around to face MIRANDA.

 

FERDINAND

My prime request is, O you wonder! If you be maid or no?

 

MIRANDA

No wonder, sir; but certainly a maid.

 

PROSPERO (aside)

They are both in either’s powers.

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #6 (“Ding”).

MIRANDA freezes.

 

FERDINAND

My father’s loss, the wreck of all my friends, are but light to me,

Might I but through my prison once a day Behold this maid.

 

PROSPERO (aside)

It works.

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #7 (“Ding”).

FERDINAND freezes.

(to ARIEL) Thou hast done well, fine Ariel! Thou shalt be free

As mountain winds: but then exactly do All points of my command.

 

ARIEL

To the syllable.

 

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #8 (“Ding”).

MIRANDA and FERDINAND are unfrozen.

 

PROSPERO (sternly)

Come, follow.

Exit ALL stage right.

 

 

 

✴ SCENE 3. (ACT II, SCENE II)

Another part of the island.

Enter NARRATOR from stage rear, coming downstage center.

 

NARRATOR

Having escaped the apparently sinking ship, Trinculo hides under a cloak to weather the storm, where he discovers the island’s ornery monster, Caliban. Drunk Stephano finds them both and shares his bottle withthem, which livens things up!

Exit NARRATOR stage left.

Enter CALIBAN from stage right, carrying a bundle of wood.

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #9 (“Thunder”).

 

CALIBAN

All the infections that the sun sucks up From bogs on Prosper fall.

 

Enter TRINCULO from stage right.

Lo, now, lo!

Here comes a spirit of his. I’ll fall flat.

(hides under his cloak)

 

TRINCULO

Another storm brewing;

I know not where to hide my head:

What have we here? A man or a fish? Dead or alive?

 

(lifts up the cloak)

A fish: he smells like a fish.

A strange fish! Legged like a man (noticing

CALIBAN’S arms) and his fins like arms!

Warm o’ my troth!

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #10 (“Thunder”).

TRINCULO panics at the sounds of the storm.

Alas, the storm is come again! My best way is to creep under his gaberdine.

TRINCULO holds his nose to block the smell and crawls under the cloak. CALIBAN immediately sticks his head out from under the cloak with a startled look.

Enter STEPHANO from stage left, singing, with a flask in his hand.

 

STEPHANO

I shall no more to sea, to sea, Here shall I die ashore—(drinks)

This is a scurvy tune too: but here’s my comfort.

(drinks)

 

CALIBAN (frightened by STEPHANO’S singing and arrival)

Do not torment me: oh!

STEPHANO jumps at the sound and notices the four legs sticking out from under the cloak.

 

STEPHANO

I have not scaped drowning to be afeard now of your

(counting) four legs.

 

CALIBAN

Do not torment me, prithee.

 

STEPHANO

He’s in his fit now. He shall taste of my bottle: Open your mouth.

STEPHANO passes flask to CALIBAN, who takes a few long swigs with large breaths between sips.

 

TRINCULO

I should know that voice: it should be—but he is drowned.

 

STEPHANO

Four legs and two voices: a most delicate monster!

I will pour some in thy other mouth. (moves to pour drink on TRINCULO’S side of the cloak)

 

TRINCULO

Stephano!

 

STEPHANO shrieks.

Stephano! I am Trinculo—be not afeard— thy good friend (emerges from cloak, revealing himself) Trinculo.

 

STEPHANO

I’ll pull thee by the lesser legs.

STEPHANO pulls TRINCULO by his legs; TRINCULO protests when pulled.

Thou art very Trinculo indeed! How camest thou to be the siege of this moon-calf? Can he vent Trinculos?

 

TRINCULO

But art thou not drowned, Stephano?

 

STEPHANO shakes his head.

O Stephano, two Neapolitans ’scaped!

TRINCULO grabs STEPHANO as they dance around in a circle.

 

STEPHANO

Prithee, do not turn me about; my stomach is not constant.

 

CALIBAN (aside)

That’s a brave god and bears celestial liquor. I will kneel to him. (kneels)

 

STEPHANO

How didst thou ’scape?

 

TRINCULO

Swum ashore. Man, like a duck.

 

STEPHANO

Here, kiss the book.

STEPHANO hands flask to CALIBAN, who drinks greedily.

 

CALIBAN

I’ll kiss thy foot; I’ll swear myself thy subject. I’ll fish for thee and get thee wood enough. A plague upon the tyrant that I serve!

I’ll follow thee, thou wondrous man.

(singing drunkenly)

Farewell master; farewell, farewell!

TRINCULO

A howling monster: a drunken monster!

 

CALIBAN

’Ban, ’Ban, Ca-caliban

Has a new master: get a new man. Freedom, hie-day! Hie-day, freedom!

 

STEPHANO

O brave monster! Lead the way.

Exit ALL stage left, singing CALIBAN’S song and dancing merrily.

 

 

 

 

✴ SCENE 4. (ACT III, SCENE I)

Before PROSPERO’S cell.

STAGEHAND places stool stage right.

Enter NARRATOR from stage rear, coming downstage center.

 

NARRATOR

Ferdinand is visited by Miranda. Prospero observes them, unseen, as they exchange marriage vows.

Things are starting to heat up!

Exit NARRATOR stage left.

Enter FERDINAND from stage right, picking up logs.

 

FERDINAND

This my mean task would be heavy to me, but The mistress which I serve quickens what’s dead And makes my labors pleasures.

Enter MIRANDA from stage right. PROSPERO follows; he lingers upstage, unseen.

MIRANDA sits. PROSPERO continues to hang back, upstage right. Upon seeing MIRANDA, FERDINAND drops a log from his bundle.

 

MIRANDA

Work not so hard: rest yourself;

 

MIRANDA takes FERDINAND by the hand, leading him gently to the stool.

 

I’ll bear your logs the while.

MIRANDA pretends to struggle to pick up a log, looking over at FERDINAND. FERDINAND gently leads MIRANDA back to the stool while speaking, kneeling as she sits.

 

FERDINAND

No, precious creature;

I had rather break my back,

Than you should such dishonor undergo, While I sit lazy by.

 

PROSPERO

Poor worm, thou art infected!

 

FERDINAND

What is your name?

 

MIRANDA

Miranda.—O my father,

I have broke your hest to say so!

 

FERDINAND

Admired Miranda!

O you are created of every creature’s best!

 

MIRANDA

How features are abroad,

I am skilless of. I would not wish

Any companion in the world but you.

 

MIRANDA takes FERDINAND’S arm.

 

FERDINAND

The very instant that I saw you, did My heart fly to your service;

THE TEMPEST ✴ 17

 

And for your sake am I this patient (pauses, gesturing to logs) log-man.

 

MIRANDA

Do you love me?

 

FERDINAND

I beyond all limit of what else i’ the world Do love, prize, honor you.

 

MIRANDA

I am a fool

To weep at what I am glad of.

 

PROSPERO

Fair encounter

Of two most rare affections!

 

MIRANDA

I am your wife, if you will marry me.

 

FERDINAND

Ay, with a heart as willing

As bondage e’er of freedom: here’s my hand.

 

MIRANDA

And mine, with my heart in’t; and now farewell.

 

FERDINAND

A thousand thousand!

Exit FERDINAND and MIRANDA stage left.

 

PROSPERO

So glad of this as they I cannot be,

Who are surprised withal; but my rejoicing

 

At nothing can be more. I’ll to my book, For yet ere supper-time must I perform Much business appertaining.

Exit PROSPERO stage left.

 

 

 

 

✴ SCENE 5. (ACT III, SCENE II)

Another part of the island.

Enter NARRATOR from stage rear, coming downstage center.

 

NARRATOR

Trinculo and Caliban quarrel with the help of the invisible fairy Ariel. Caliban urges Stephano to kill Prospero. What a monstrous thing to do!

Exit NARRATOR stage left.

Enter CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO from stage right, drinking and carousing. They stand downstage from stool.

 

STEPHANO

Servant-monster, drink to me.

STEPHANO hands a drink to CALIBAN, who takes a long gulp.

TRINCULO is not happy with this.

 

CALIBAN

Let me lick thy shoe. (kneels on floor)

I thank my noble lord.

 

Enter ARIEL from stage right, invisible to all. She stands on stool.

 

CALIBAN

As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant,

a sorcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island.

ARIEL

Thou liest.

 

CALIBAN (to TRINCULO)

Thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou! I do not lie.

 

STEPHANO

Trinculo, if you trouble him any more, I will supplant some of your teeth.

 

TRINCULO

I did nothing.

 

STEPHANO

Didst thou not say he lied?

 

ARIEL

Thou liest.

 

STEPHANO

Do I so? Take thou that.

(beats TRINCULO with his hat)

Proceed.

 

CALIBAN (conspiratorially, pulling STEPHANO closer)

Why, as I told thee, ’tis a custom with Prospero

I’ th’ afternoon to sleep: there thou mayst brain him, With a log or cut his wezand with thy knife.

Remember first to possess his books; for without them He’s but a sot, as I am, nor hath not

One spirit to command:

And that most deeply to consider is The beauty of his daughter;

She will become thy bed,

And bring thee forth brave brood.

 

STEPHANO

Monster, I will kill this man: his daughter and I will be king and queen—save our graces!—and Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys. Come on, Trinculo, let us sing.

(singing)

Flout ’em and scout ’em And scout ’em and flout ’em Thought is free.

ALL sing the song together, happily dancing as they start to exit.

ARIEL plays the tune on a recorder.

 

CALIBAN

Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, That give delight and hurt not.

 

STEPHANO

This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I shall have my music for nothing. Lead, monster; we’ll follow.

Exit ALL stage right.

 

 

 

 

✴ SCENE 6. (ACT III, SCENE III)

Another part of the island.

STAGEHANDS set banquet table upstage center and place stool center stage. They place second stool upstage left.

Enter NARRATOR from stage rear, coming downstage center.

 

NARRATOR

King Alonso and his party are visited by strange shapes that invite them to a banquet. Ariel appears as a large winged bird called a harpy and accuses three of the men of overthrowing Prospero’s dukedom,threatening them with a fate worse than death. Rule number one: Never mess with a harpy!

Exit NARRATOR stage left.

Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, and GONZALO from stage left.

 

GONZALO

I can go no further, sir. My old bones ache.

ALONSO

Sit down, and rest.

 

GONZALO sits on floor, stage right; ALONSO sits on stool center stage.

 

Even here I will put off my hope; he is drown’d Whom thus we stray to find. Well, let him go.

 

ANTONIO (standing stage left with SEBASTIAN)

(aside to SEBASTIAN) I am right glad that he’s so out of hope.

 

SEBASTIAN (aside to ANTONIO)

The next advantage will we take throughly.

 

ANTONIO

(aside to SEBASTIAN) Let it be tonight.

 

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #11 (“Strange shapes music”).

 

ALONSO

What harmony is this?

GONZALO

Marvelous sweet music!

 

Enter PROSPERO from stage rear. He stands on upstage left stool, invisible to all. Enter several STRANGE SHAPES from stage rear. They move gracefully around the stage, dancing about the banquet table with gentle actions. After inviting ALONSO, ANTONIO, and SEBASTIAN to eat, STRANGE SHAPES depart.

 

SEBASTIAN

Now I will believe

That there are unicorns.

 

GONZALO

If in Naples

I should report this now, would they believe me?

 

ALONSO

I will stand to and feed.

24 ✴ THE TEMPEST

 

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #12 (“Thunder”).

Enter ARIEL, as Harpy, from stage left. She stands on center stage stool.

 

ARIEL

You are three men of sin, whom Destiny,

Hath caused to belch up you; I have made you mad.

 

ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, and ANTONIO draw their swords.

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #13 (“Ding”).

You fools! Your swords may as well Wound the loud winds, or

Kill the still-closing waters.

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #14 (“Ding”).

You three

From Milan did supplant good Prospero; Exposed unto the sea,

Him and his innocent child.

(to ALONSO) Thee of thy son, Alonso,

They have bereft; and do pronounce by me: Lingering perdition.

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #15 (“Thunder”).

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #16 (“Strange and solemn music”).

Re-enter STRANGE SHAPES, dancing, from stage rear. PROSPERO

follows, unseen, and stands on upstage left stool to observe.

ARIEL, as Harpy, descends from stool, removes bird mask, and moves upstage left to stand with Prospero.

 

Exit STRANGE SHAPES stage left.

 

PROSPERO

Bravely the figure of this harpy hast thou Perform’d, my Ariel. My high charms work And these mineenemies now are in my power.

Exit ARIEL and PROSPERO stage left.

 

ALONSO

O, it is monstrous, monstrous.

 

Exit ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, and ANTONIO stage right.

 

GONZALO

All three of them are desperate: their great guilt, Like poison now ’gins to bite the spirits.

 

Exit GONZALO stage right.

STAGEHANDS remove banquet table.

 

 

 

 

✴ SCENE 7. (ACT IV, SCENE I)

Before PROSPERO’S cell.

Enter NARRATOR from stage rear, coming downstage center.

 

NARRATOR

Prospero gives his daughter’s hand to Ferdinand and the couple are married. He suddenly remembers

the threat posed by Caliban and company and drives them out with spirits disguised as dogs. Rule number two: Never mess with a magician.

Exit NARRATOR stage left.

Enter PROSPERO, FERDINAND, and MIRANDA from stage right.

 

PROSPERO

Take my daughter.

 

FERDINAND

I hope for quiet days, fair issue and long life.

 

PROSPERO

What, Ariel! My industrious servant, Ariel!

Enter ARIEL, humming, from stage right.

 

ARIEL

Here I am.

 

PROSPERO

I must use you in such another trick. Go bring the rabble,

O’er whom I give thee power, here to this place.

 

ARIEL

Before you can say ‘come’ and ‘go,’ Each one, tripping on his toe, Will be here with mop and mow. Do you love me, master? No?

 

PROSPERO

Dearly my delicate Ariel.

Exit ARIEL, humming, stage left.

 

PROSPERO (aside, suddenly very angry)

I had forgot that foul conspiracy

Of the beast Caliban and his confederates Against my life: the minute of their plot Is almost come.

 

FERDINAND

This is strange: your father’s in some passion That works him strongly.

 

MIRANDA

Never till this day

Saw I him touch’d with anger so distemper’d.

 

PROSPERO

My brain is troubled.

 

FERDINAND

We wish your peace.

 

Exit FERDINAND and MIRANDA stage right.

 

PROSPERO

Ariel: come.

Enter ARIEL from stage left.

 

ARIEL

What’s thy pleasure?

 

PROSPERO

Spirit,

We must prepare to meet with Caliban. Where didst thou leave these varlets?

 

ARIEL

(gestures offstage, miming a pool)

I left them i’ the filthy-mantled pool beyond your cell.

 

PROSPERO

This was well done, my bird.

Thy shape invisible retain thou still.

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #17 (“Ding”).

 

ARIEL (twitching nose)

I go, I go.

Exit ARIEL stage left.

 

PROSPERO

I will plague them all, even to roaring.

Enter CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO, each wet from the pool, from stage right. PROSPERO and ARIEL remaininvisible.

 

CALIBAN (gesturing for STEPHANO and TRINCULO to follow) (whispering loudly) Pray you, tread softly.

 

TRINCULO

Monster, I do smell all horse-piss;

at which my nose is in great indignation.

 

STEPHANO

So is mine.

 

CALIBAN

Be patient, my king, be quiet. This is the mouth o’ the cell:

Do that good mischief which may make this island Thine own for ever, and I, thy Caliban,

Thy foot-licker.

 

PROSPERO gestures toward offstage. Enter DOG ONE from stage rear. DOG ONE starts after TRINCULO, who runsaway and hops on stool, afraid, trying to kick DOG ONE away with his feet.

 

PROSPERO

Hey, Mountain, hey!

ARIEL gestures toward offstage. Enter DOG TWO from stage rear. DOG TWO starts after CALIBAN, who growls and bears his teeth; DOG TWO growls and bears his teeth back.

 

ARIEL

Silver I there it goes, Silver!

 

PROSPERO

Fury, fury! There, there! Hark! Hark!

Enter DOG THREE from stage rear. DOG THREE starts after

STEPHANO and chases him around the stage.

 

Exit TRINCULO, CALIBAN, and STEPHANO stage right, pursued by

DOGS.

 

ARIEL (laughing hysterically)

Hark, they roar!

 

PROSPERO (laughs merrily, then becomes serious) Let them be hunted soundly. At this hour Lie at my mercy all mine enemies: Follow, and do me service.

Exit PROSPERO and ARIEL stage right.

 

 

 

 

✴ SCENE 8. (ACT V, SCENE I)

Before PROSPERO’S cell.

Enter NARRATOR from stage rear, coming downstage center.

 

NARRATOR

Prospero releases Alonso and his party from their charmed state and renounces the further use of his magic. Prospero’s dukedom is restored, all is

forgiven, and family members are reunited. Almost everyone is well on the way to being free! This must be a Shakespearean comedy!

Exit NARRATOR stage left.

Enter PROSPERO, in his magician’s robes, and ARIEL from stage right.

 

PROSPERO

Now does my project gather to a head: My charms crack not; my spirits obey. How fares the king and his followers?

 

ARIEL

Just as you left them; all prisoners, sir,

Gonzalo’s tears run down his beard, like winter’s drops From eaves of reeds.

 

PROSPERO

I am struck to the quick, The rarer action is

 

In virtue than in vengeance: Go release them, Ariel:

My charms I’ll break.

 

ARIEL

I’ll fetch them, sir.

 

Exit ARIEL stage right.

 

PROSPERO

I have bedimm’d

The noontide sun, call’d forth the mutinous winds, And ’twixt the green sea and the azured vault

Set roaring war: but this rough magic I here abjure, I’ll break my staff,

I’ll drown my book.

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #18 (“Hypnotic music”).

Re-enter ARIEL from stage right. ALONSO follows, attended by

GONZALO, SEBASTIAN, and ANTONIO. As PROSPERO “conducts”

their movements, ALL walk around the stage in a circle, ending by forming a semicircle that faces the audience. They stand, charmed.

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #19 (“Ding”).

ALL unfreeze.

There stand,

For you are spell-stopp’d.

Most cruelly didst thou, Alonso, use me and my daughter:

Thy brother was a furtherer in the act, Would here have kill’d your king; Quickly, spirit; thoushalt ere long be free.

 

ARIEL (singing)

Merrily, merrily shall I live now

Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.

 

PROSPERO

My dainty Ariel! To the king’s ship,

There shalt thou find the master and the boatswain. Enforce them to this place, presently.

 

ARIEL

I drink the air before me, and return.

 

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #20 (“Ding”).

Exit ARIEL stage left.

 

PROSPERO (to ALONSO)

Behold, sir king,

The wronged Duke of Milan, Prospero.

 

ALONSO

Thy pulse

Beats as of flesh and blood; and, since I saw thee, The affiiction of my mind amends,

Thy dukedom I resign and do entreat Thou pardon me my wrongs.

 

PROSPERO (aside to SEBASTIAN and ANTONIO)

But you, my brace of lords, were I so minded, I here could justify you traitors.

 

SEBASTIAN (aside)

The devil speaks in him.

 

PROSPERO (to ANTONIO)

No. For you, most wicked sir, I do forgive Thy rankest fault.

ALONSO

I have lost my dear son Ferdinand.

 

PROSPERO

I have lost my daughter.

I will requite you with as good a thing.

Enter FERDINAND and MIRANDA from stage left. ALONSO is astonished and joyful to see his son alive.

 

ALONSO

If this prove

A vision of the Island, one dear son Shall I twice lose.

 

SEBASTIAN

A most high miracle!

 

FERDINAND (to ALONSO)

Though the seas threaten, they are merciful; I have cursed them without cause.

(kneels)

 

MIRANDA (looking at men with amazement and attraction)

O, wonder!

How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, That has such people in’t!

 

PROSPERO

’Tis new to thee.

 

ALONSO

Is she the goddess that hath sever’d us, And brought us thus together?

 

FERDINAND

Sir, she is mortal;

But by immortal Providence she’s mine:

She is daughter to this famous Duke of Milan, And second father this lady makes him to me.

 

ALONSO

I am hers:

(to MIRANDA) I must ask my child forgiveness!

(to FERDINAND and MIRANDA) Give me your hands.

GONZALO

Be it so! Amen!

 

Re-enter ARIEL from stage left, with MASTER and BOATSWAIN

following in amazement.

What is the news?

 

BOATSWAIN

We have safely found

Our king and company. Our ship— Which we gave out split—

Is tight and yare and bravely rigg’d as when We first put out to sea.

 

PROSPERO (aside to ARIEL)

My tricksy spirit! Thou shalt be free.

Set Caliban and his companions free; Untie the spell.

Exit ARIEL stage left.

 

PROSPERO (to ALONSO)

How fares my gracious sir?

There are yet missing of your company.

Re-enter ARIEL from stage left, driving in CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO.

 

SEBASTIAN

Ha, ha!

What things are these, my lord Antonio? Will money buy ’em?

 

ANTONIO

One of them

Is a plain fish, and, no doubt, marketable.

 

PROSPERO

This misshapen demi-devil

had plotted with them to take my life.

 

CALIBAN

I shall be pinch’d to death.

ALONSO

Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler? And Trinculo is reeling ripe:

How camest thou in this pickle?

TRINCULO

I have been in such a pickle since I saw you last.

 

SEBASTIAN

How now, Stephano!

 

With the help of your good hands:

As you from crimes would pardon’d be, Let your indulgence set me free.

Re-enter ALL from stage left.

 

ALL

Our revels now are ended. These our actors, Were all spirits and

Are melted into air, into thin air: We are such stuff

As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep.