PRODUCTION The Tempest [Baofengyu]
Data Type：production background
Title：A Plot Summary of The Tempest
Source：The Tempest Special Edition Program (2006)
Place：Taipei
Publisher：Contemporary Legend Theatre [Dangdai chuanqi juchang]
Date：2006
Language：English
Abstract：scene-by-scene plot summary of The Tempest
Act 1
Scene 1 Prologue “The Book of Magic”
Enter four spirits and Prospero
Over the dark and boundless sea, a dark and horrid song rises. A magus suddenly appears, uttering his incantation loud and clear. All in a sudden thunder and lightning strike occurs. The storm roars. Big waves rise and fall…
Scene 2 “The Book of Shipwreck”
Enter Ariel, four spirits, four sailors, Boatswain, Ferdinand, Alonso, Gonzalo, Antonio, and Sebastian
A group of mariners, escorting the shrine aboard, sails near from afar and sings energetically sailor’s songs. On board are King Alonso of Fushi, Prospero’s brother Antonio and others. Suddenly a storm strikes. The ship is violently shaken. After a huge wave strikes, the ship is on fire. The fire rages on. Ferdinand, the Prince of Fushi, falls into the sea and disappears. All passengers are forced to jump into the sea.
Scene 3 “The Book of Time”
Enter Prospero and Miranda
Witnessing the miserable state caused by the tempest, Miranda sheds her tears in sympathy and begs her father to stop the storm.
Prospero, to comfort his daughter, reveals to her a sad story of his own past—Prospero used to be the Duke of Gianan. He did not anticipate that his brother Antonio would have conspired with King Alonso of Fushi to usurp his throne and exile him and his daughter. Luckily, thanks to Gonzalo’s secret help, they have survived. During the twelve years after being drifted ashore on the deserted island, Prospero devoted himself to the study of magic, hoping only to avenge his hatred today.
Scene 4 “The Book of a Deserted Island”
Enter Ariel, Prospero, Miranda, and Caliban
Ariel returns to report to Prospero her success in raising the storm. At the moment, Prospero’s ugly slave Caliban seeks to approach Miranda but only to be scolded and insulted by Prospero, which makes Caliban very angry.
Ariel requests Prospero to fulfill his promise to set her free only to be intimidated by Prospero. She has no choice but to obey Prospero’s order and carry out her next mission—to create for Miranda a dreamy world.
Scene 5 “The Book of Love”
Enter Ariel, Prospero, Miranda, and Caliban
The spirits sing heaven-like songs. The stage is transformed into an earthly paradise. Once ashore, Ferdinand is lulled to meets Miranda in the garden. The two fall instantly in love at the first sight.
Prospero is surprised to discover that Ferdinand is King Alonso’s son. Maddened with rage, he threatens to enslave Ferdinand for three years. Miranda feels sad, but the love-stricken prince is willing to suffer for love.
Scene 6 “The Book of Ideal”
Enter Alonso, Prospero, Ariel, Antonio, Sebastian, and Gonzalo
Prospero stands on a high place, watching Alonso and his men, who have been brought ashore by the storm, and introduces them one by one to Ariel. But at a distance, Alonso and his men passively lament over what has happened. Only Gonzalo, upon seeing the lovely scenery of the island, begins to express his vision of a Utopia. Prospero also sings sympathetically with him. The greatest goal of a Utopia is freedom. Upon hearing that, Ariel delightfully requests Prospero again to set her free.
Scene 7 “The Book of Greed”
Enter four spirits, Ariel, Alonso, Gonzalo, Antonio, and Sebastian
Under Prospero’s command, Ariel directs the spirits to prepare a feast. Unable to resist the temptation of the feast, starving Alonso and his fellow companions start gobbling the food. In their enjoyment, they are as delighted as gods. To their surprise, in their merriment, the magus waves his magic wand from a high place, and a terrifying scene emerges: All the gourmet dishes on the table are transformed into such things as snakes, scorpions, and poisonous spiders. A jovial banquet becomes a horrid hell. All flee.
Act 2
Scene 1 “The Book of Dream”
Enter Caliban, the witch, ancestral spirits, Ariel, and the other group of spirits
Tramped by Prospero, furious Caliban cries and sings his cursing song. Suddenly, from the smoke emerges a witch, who turns out to be Caliban’s ancestral spirit. The witch emerges to fight against Prospero’s spirits for the island. The two groups of spirits begin to engage in an earth-shattering supernatural warfare. After the war, the witch blames Caliban for being weak-kneed and knocks him down to the ground.
Scene 2 “The Book of Slavery”
Enter the Jester and the Butler, Caliban, Prospero, Ariel, and four spirits
Drifted ashore on the island, the Jester and the Butler accidentally stumbles upon Caliban and wakes him up. Realizing that the war is only a dream, Caliban seizes the opportunity to accuse Prospero of his evil deeds. In their drinking song, the three conspire to kill Prospero. Overhearing their words, Prospero turns furious and commands the spirits to punish Caliban.
Scene 3 “The Book of Test”
Enter four spirits, Caliban, hunting dogs, Ferdinand, Miranda, Prospero, Ariel
The song of the spirits rises again. Prospero starts to invoke his charm and spells; and the tempest sweeps over the island. Upon seeing this, Miranda looks anxiously for Ferdinand. She suffers to find that Ferdinand is still hard at work in the storm. Having no choice, they decide to elope for the sake of love. Prospero, seeing this, is deeply moved. He also begins to feel perplexed about his own behavior….
Scene 4 “The Book of Betrayal”
Enter Alonso, Gonzalo, Antonio, Sebastian, and four spirits
“The wine of true mind” begins to have its effect. Antonio and Sebastian, Alonso’s brother, reveal their true faces. They have long been hiding their evil intent to murder Alonso and usurp his throne. Witnessing the act, Alonso is chilled to the bone. At that moment, Prospero appears, laughing out loud. He thanks Gonzalo for saving his life. And he also enumerates the sins of the others….
Scene 5 “The Book of Reconciliation”
Enters Prospero
At Prospero’s command, Ariel and Caliban perform a show. Both Alonso and Antonio admit their faults and ask Prospero to forgive them. Prospero pardons them all, and, in a harmonious atmosphere, decides to prepare the wedding ceremony for Miranda and Ferdinand. He also keeps his promise and sets Ariel and Caliban free. An atmosphere of happiness pervades.
It all turns quiet after the crowd leaves. Prospero, having mixed feelings, finally decides to give up his magic power and to leave for his country, to liberate himself from restrictions, and to regain his freedom.
Scene 1 Prologue “The Book of Magic”
Enter four spirits and Prospero
Over the dark and boundless sea, a dark and horrid song rises. A magus suddenly appears, uttering his incantation loud and clear. All in a sudden thunder and lightning strike occurs. The storm roars. Big waves rise and fall…
Scene 2 “The Book of Shipwreck”
Enter Ariel, four spirits, four sailors, Boatswain, Ferdinand, Alonso, Gonzalo, Antonio, and Sebastian
A group of mariners, escorting the shrine aboard, sails near from afar and sings energetically sailor’s songs. On board are King Alonso of Fushi, Prospero’s brother Antonio and others. Suddenly a storm strikes. The ship is violently shaken. After a huge wave strikes, the ship is on fire. The fire rages on. Ferdinand, the Prince of Fushi, falls into the sea and disappears. All passengers are forced to jump into the sea.
Scene 3 “The Book of Time”
Enter Prospero and Miranda
Witnessing the miserable state caused by the tempest, Miranda sheds her tears in sympathy and begs her father to stop the storm.
Prospero, to comfort his daughter, reveals to her a sad story of his own past—Prospero used to be the Duke of Gianan. He did not anticipate that his brother Antonio would have conspired with King Alonso of Fushi to usurp his throne and exile him and his daughter. Luckily, thanks to Gonzalo’s secret help, they have survived. During the twelve years after being drifted ashore on the deserted island, Prospero devoted himself to the study of magic, hoping only to avenge his hatred today.
Scene 4 “The Book of a Deserted Island”
Enter Ariel, Prospero, Miranda, and Caliban
Ariel returns to report to Prospero her success in raising the storm. At the moment, Prospero’s ugly slave Caliban seeks to approach Miranda but only to be scolded and insulted by Prospero, which makes Caliban very angry.
Ariel requests Prospero to fulfill his promise to set her free only to be intimidated by Prospero. She has no choice but to obey Prospero’s order and carry out her next mission—to create for Miranda a dreamy world.
Scene 5 “The Book of Love”
Enter Ariel, Prospero, Miranda, and Caliban
The spirits sing heaven-like songs. The stage is transformed into an earthly paradise. Once ashore, Ferdinand is lulled to meets Miranda in the garden. The two fall instantly in love at the first sight.
Prospero is surprised to discover that Ferdinand is King Alonso’s son. Maddened with rage, he threatens to enslave Ferdinand for three years. Miranda feels sad, but the love-stricken prince is willing to suffer for love.
Scene 6 “The Book of Ideal”
Enter Alonso, Prospero, Ariel, Antonio, Sebastian, and Gonzalo
Prospero stands on a high place, watching Alonso and his men, who have been brought ashore by the storm, and introduces them one by one to Ariel. But at a distance, Alonso and his men passively lament over what has happened. Only Gonzalo, upon seeing the lovely scenery of the island, begins to express his vision of a Utopia. Prospero also sings sympathetically with him. The greatest goal of a Utopia is freedom. Upon hearing that, Ariel delightfully requests Prospero again to set her free.
Scene 7 “The Book of Greed”
Enter four spirits, Ariel, Alonso, Gonzalo, Antonio, and Sebastian
Under Prospero’s command, Ariel directs the spirits to prepare a feast. Unable to resist the temptation of the feast, starving Alonso and his fellow companions start gobbling the food. In their enjoyment, they are as delighted as gods. To their surprise, in their merriment, the magus waves his magic wand from a high place, and a terrifying scene emerges: All the gourmet dishes on the table are transformed into such things as snakes, scorpions, and poisonous spiders. A jovial banquet becomes a horrid hell. All flee.
Act 2
Scene 1 “The Book of Dream”
Enter Caliban, the witch, ancestral spirits, Ariel, and the other group of spirits
Tramped by Prospero, furious Caliban cries and sings his cursing song. Suddenly, from the smoke emerges a witch, who turns out to be Caliban’s ancestral spirit. The witch emerges to fight against Prospero’s spirits for the island. The two groups of spirits begin to engage in an earth-shattering supernatural warfare. After the war, the witch blames Caliban for being weak-kneed and knocks him down to the ground.
Scene 2 “The Book of Slavery”
Enter the Jester and the Butler, Caliban, Prospero, Ariel, and four spirits
Drifted ashore on the island, the Jester and the Butler accidentally stumbles upon Caliban and wakes him up. Realizing that the war is only a dream, Caliban seizes the opportunity to accuse Prospero of his evil deeds. In their drinking song, the three conspire to kill Prospero. Overhearing their words, Prospero turns furious and commands the spirits to punish Caliban.
Scene 3 “The Book of Test”
Enter four spirits, Caliban, hunting dogs, Ferdinand, Miranda, Prospero, Ariel
The song of the spirits rises again. Prospero starts to invoke his charm and spells; and the tempest sweeps over the island. Upon seeing this, Miranda looks anxiously for Ferdinand. She suffers to find that Ferdinand is still hard at work in the storm. Having no choice, they decide to elope for the sake of love. Prospero, seeing this, is deeply moved. He also begins to feel perplexed about his own behavior….
Scene 4 “The Book of Betrayal”
Enter Alonso, Gonzalo, Antonio, Sebastian, and four spirits
“The wine of true mind” begins to have its effect. Antonio and Sebastian, Alonso’s brother, reveal their true faces. They have long been hiding their evil intent to murder Alonso and usurp his throne. Witnessing the act, Alonso is chilled to the bone. At that moment, Prospero appears, laughing out loud. He thanks Gonzalo for saving his life. And he also enumerates the sins of the others….
Scene 5 “The Book of Reconciliation”
Enters Prospero
At Prospero’s command, Ariel and Caliban perform a show. Both Alonso and Antonio admit their faults and ask Prospero to forgive them. Prospero pardons them all, and, in a harmonious atmosphere, decides to prepare the wedding ceremony for Miranda and Ferdinand. He also keeps his promise and sets Ariel and Caliban free. An atmosphere of happiness pervades.
It all turns quiet after the crowd leaves. Prospero, having mixed feelings, finally decides to give up his magic power and to leave for his country, to liberate himself from restrictions, and to regain his freedom.
