The Tempest

The play opens with a terrifying storm at sea. On board are Alonso, King of Naples, his son Ferdinand and Antonio, the man who seized the dukedom of Milan from his brother Prospero years ago. The ship seems to break apart, but the passengers come ashore unharmed, scattered across the island. The storm was raised by Prospero himself, who has waited twelve years for this moment.

Over a single afternoon, Prospero directs everything with the help of Ariel, a quick, airy spirit who longs to be free. Ferdinand meets Miranda, who has never seen a young man before, and they fall in love at first sight, though Prospero tests him with hard labor. Antonio and Alonso's brother Sebastian plot another betrayal. In a comic subplot, the bitter Caliban, who resents Prospero for taking his island, teams up with a drunken butler and a jester to plan a rebellion. As all the threads draw together, Prospero has his enemies in his power and must choose what kind of man he wants to be.

Short and full of music and memorable speeches. About 272 pages in the Folger edition, with notes facing the text.