The authoritative edition of The Tempest from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for both students and general readers, delves into the magical realm crafted by William Shakespeare. This edition presents a magician, Prospero, a former duke of Milan displaced by his treacherous brother, Antonio. Exiled on an island with his daughter Miranda, the spirit Ariel, and the monster Caliban, Prospero uses his powers to manipulate those aboard a ship caught in a storm near their shores.
The characters in The Tempest transcend simple categorization as mere villains or heroes. Prospero appears heroic but exercises control over Caliban, who embodies resistance through his defiance of Miranda’s advances. These complexities echo the period of colonialism during which the play was written, adding layers to its narrative. The engagement between Miranda and Ferdinand, Prince of Naples and a shipwrecker, serves as a pivotal plot device in resolving the drama.
This edition includes:
- Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play
- Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play
- Scene-by-scene plot summaries
- A key to the play’s famous lines and phrases
- An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language
- An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play
- Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books
- An annotated guide to further reading
Essay by Barbara A. Mowat
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works and a magnet for scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs.