No cover

William Shakespeare, Collins Collins GCSE, Lucy Toop, Peter Alexander, Mike Gould: Tempest Ebook (2020, HarperCollins Publishers Limited)

English language

Published Nov. 6, 2020 by HarperCollins Publishers Limited.

ISBN:
978-0-00-843774-9
Copied ISBN!

View on OpenLibrary

4 stars (16 reviews)

The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1610–11, and thought by many critics to be the last play that Shakespeare wrote alone. It is set on a remote island, where Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place using illusion and skilful manipulation. He conjures up a storm, the eponymous tempest, to lure his usurping brother Antonio and the complicit King Alonso of Naples to the island. There, his machinations bring about the revelation of Antonio's lowly nature, the redemption of the King, and the marriage of Miranda to Alonso's son, Ferdinand.

56 editions

Review of 'The Tempest' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Many consider this to be Shakespeare last play for...reasons. Reading it, I am inclined to believe, since it seems like Shakespeare is literally phoning it in. Throughout the play, it is clear Shakespeare is just completing his contract with the Globe and wanted to pursue his true passion: collecting rent on his properties.

Exhibit A: There is no conflict. Prospero is in control of everything at all times. He wants to do a couple things, he does them. Someone decides they may want to add some actual tension to the story and they are almost immediately defeated in this by Ariel, an omnipotent spirit that Prospero happens to have found on the island in a tree.

Exhibit B: There is no awkwardness or conflict in the hook-up in this play. None. Miranda meets Ferdinand, they fall in love, Ferdinand proves his undying love by chopping and carrying firewood. They marry. …