What is the exposition in The Tempest?

Question

I really need to know to complete my homework!

Answer 1

Prospero explains to Miranda how they came to be on the island, so that the audience knows the background of the characters who have just been shipwrecked there and their past relations with Prospero. Shortly thereafter, Prospero reminds Caliban of how he (P) freed C from a tree where he was imprisoned and tried to civilize him, only to have Caliban assault Miranda--more background.