Scene 1

Summary of Act 1, Scene 1

In the opening scene of the play, we meet the passengers on the boat and the titular (relating to the title) tempest that wrecks their ship.

Class conflict introduced

King Alonso of Naples is on board a ship that is being torn apart by a violent storm. It is here that the first hints of conflict are seen - class conflict.
King Alonso asks for the captain. But the boatswain (one of the crew) gets irritated and orders the passengers below deck.

Power of nature vs the power of men

Gonzalo (the King’s councillor) reminds the boatswain who he is speaking to (a King). But he gets 'What cares these roarers for the name of king?' in reply.
The King’s authority is no challenge to nature. The passengers end up turning to prayer as the ship is torn to pieces.
But when the audience realise it is in fact Prospero controlling the weather, they question who is really in charge and in control.

1Key Words

1.1Key Words

1.1.1Key Words 1

1.1.2Key Words 2

1.1.3Key Words 3

1.1.4Key Words 4

2Context & Overview

2.1Context & Overview

2.1.1Overview

2.1.2Context

3Act 1

3.1Act 1 Analysis

3.1.1Overview

3.1.2Scene 1

3.1.3Scene 2

4Act 2

4.1Act 2 Analysis

4.1.1Overview

4.1.2Scene 1

4.1.3Scene 2

5Act 3

5.1Act 3 Analysis

5.1.1Overview

5.1.2Scene 1

5.1.3Scene 2

5.1.4Scene 3

6Act 4

6.1Act 4 Analysis

6.1.1Overview

6.1.2Scene 1

7Act 5

7.1Act 5 Analysis

7.1.1Overview

7.1.2Scene 1

7.1.3The Epilogue

8Key Characters

8.1Major Characters

8.1.1Prospero

8.1.2Miranda

8.1.3Caliban

8.1.4Ariel

8.1.5Ferdinand

8.1.6Alonso

8.2Minor Characters

8.2.1Antonio

8.2.2Stephano

8.2.3Sebastian

8.2.4Gonzalo

8.2.5Trinculo

9Themes

9.1Major Themes

9.1.1Power

9.1.2Magic

9.1.3Status, Race & Pronouns

9.1.4Comedy

9.1.5Freedom vs Servitude

9.1.6Revenge

10Authorial Method

10.1Authorial Method

10.1.1Genre & Time

10.1.2Music & Illusion

Jump to other topics