What was "The Tempest" about?

Answer 1

The quick version?

Prospero is the Duke of Milan. His brother Antonio consipres with Alonso, the King, to get rid of Prospero and his daughter Miranda. Prospero, with the advance help of the King's advisor, Gonzalo, outfits a boat to be more seaworthy by stocking it with food and drink, books and provisions in the event the boat capsizes.

When they arrive at the island, they find Ariel, a spirit who had been imprisioned by the witch who lived there and died before Prospero & Miranda arrive. Prospero uses Ariel as a servant, promising to set her free without stating an exact date, just sometime in the future. Propsero also is served by a slave called Caliban, the son of the witch, who, upon arrival at the island, was treated as family by P&M, taught religion and Prospero's native tongue, but when he attempted to rape Miranda was enslaved by Prospero.

When Prospero learns through his magical means that his brother Antonio will be sailing near the island (returning from a wedding), he causes a storm to shipwreck the ship - the tempest of the title. He causes the inhabitants of the ship to be separated into three groups: Ferdinand, the King's son, thinks his father is dead and Prospero engineers a romance between Ferdinand and Miranda; Caliban conspires with two crewmen to rebel against Prospero; and in the third, Antonio and Sebastian (the King's brother) plot to murder Alonso and Gonzalo so Sebastian will become king.

Prospero manipulates events to bring all the inhabitants of the island to him, where he forgives Alonso the King for his treachery, and uses his magical abilities to ensure that everyone returns to Italy safely.

The only of the three storylines that succeeds is the one involving Ferdinand and Miranda.

Hope this helps.