The authoritative edition of The Tempest from The Folger Shakespeare
Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for both
students and general readers.
Putting romance onstage, The Tempest gives us a magician, Prospero, a
former duke of Milan who was displaced by his treacherous brother,
Antonio. Prospero is exiled on an island, where his only companions are
his daughter, Miranda, the spirit Ariel, and the monster Caliban. When
his enemies are among those caught in a storm near the island, Prospero
turns his power upon them through Ariel and other spirits.
The characters exceed the roles of villains and heroes. Prospero seems
heroic, yet he enslaves Caliban and has an appetite for revenge. Caliban
seems to be a monster for attacking Miranda, but appears heroic in
resisting Prospero, evoking the period of colonialism during which the
play was written. Miranda's engagement to Ferdinand, the Prince of
Naples and a member of the shipwrecked party, helps resolve the drama.
This edition includes:
-Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the
play
-Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of
the play
-Scene-by-scene plot summaries
-A key to the play's famous lines and phrases
-An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language
-An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern
perspective on the play
-Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of
rare books
-An annotated guide to further reading
Essay by Barbara A. Mowat
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world's
largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for
Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions
open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full
calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit
Folger.edu.
