THE TEMPEST WITH ALLIE: Act 4, Scene 1 Summary/Analysis

Prospero gives Ferdinand his blessing to marry Miranda, saying that Ferdinand has stood up well to Prospero’s tests of his love.  He threatens harsh consequences, however, if Ferdinand takes Miranda’s virginity before an official wedding ceremony takes place.   Ferdinand pledges to obey Prospero’s wishes. 

Ferdinand wins his freedom and love because he faced his loss of power without bitterness.  Every character who bears loss in this way in The Tempest is ultimately rewarded so far. 

Prospero orders Ariel to gather his band of spirits to put on a celebratory masque, or performance, for the new couple.  The masque begins when Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, calls Ceres, the harvest goddess, to come and join her in celebrating the marriage. Juno, wife of Zeus and queen of the gods, appears next.  Juno bestows her blessing on the couple, wishing them wealth and honor, while Ceres blesses them with wishes of prosperity.  In awe, Ferdinand wishes he could stay on the island forever, with Miranda as his wife and Prospero as his father.  Iris commands nymphs and harvest spirits to perform a country dance.

Prospero has been using his magic to manipulate and control the play’s other characters.  Now he steps into the role of playwright and “writes” the masque.  In the process, he displays his full power, so amazing and humbling Ferdinand that the boy is now in awe of his father-in-law.

Suddenly, Prospero recalls Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo‘s conspiracy to kill him. He calls an abrupt end to the festivities and the spirits vanish.  Ferdinand is unsettled by Prospero’s change in demeanor.  Prospero reassures him, saying that an end must come to all things: “We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep”.  He instructs the lovers to go and rest in his cave without telling them any more details of what is going on.

At this moment, Prospero almost seems to lose control. It’s as if he got so caught up in his “art” that he lost track of real life (which is also what led to Prospero’s fall in Milan).  Though Prospero’s speech can be seen as a meditation on age and mortality, many critics believe that it refers to the impermanence of Shakespeare’s own craft and legacy.

Prospero summons Ariel, who reports that he has led the drunken conspirators on a torturous walk through briar patches and a stinking swamp. He describes their plot to steal Prospero’s cloak and books before killing him. Prospero curses Caliban, calling him “a born devil, on whose nature nurture can never stick”.

Prospero’s remark about Caliban echoes Miranda’s observation in 1.2 that certain races are naturally indecent and inferior. This rationale was a common justification for colonization and slavery.

THE TEMPEST WITH ALLIE: Act 2 Scene 1 Summary/Analysis

 

Elsewhere on the island, the other courtiers find themselves washed up on the island’s shores. Alonso is despondent because he can’t find Ferdinand, whom he believes to be dead. Gonzalo tries to comfort him by saying that they should be thankful that they survived, but Alonso is to sad to listen to him. Alonso also ignores Gonzalo‘s observation that it is strange how fresh their clothing seems. Meanwhile, off to one side, Antonio and Sebastian look on and mock Gonzalo’s positive attitude.

Alonso reacts to the loss of his son with extreme sadness. The cheerful Gonzalo tries to remain optimistic, while the power-hungry Antonio and Sebastian mock Gonzalo from the sidelines. Though Antonio and Sebastian dismiss him as a fool, only Gonzalo detects the strangeness of the shipwreck and the island. 

Francisco, another lord, also tries to comfort Alonso. Sebastian, on the other hand, lays the blame for Ferdinand’s death on Alonso, saying that it was his own fault for going against his advisors’ counsel and permitting his daughter to marry an African. Gonzalo scolds Sebastian for his harsh words, and Antonio and Sebastian once more mock Gonzalo again.

Sebastian’s condemnation of Alonso shows a surprising lack of brotherly feeling. He also demonstrates blatant racism in his condemnation of Alonso’s decision to allow his daughter to marry an African. 

Gonzalo continues talking and explains how he would govern such an island if he were king. He envisions people dwelling in a completely agrarian society, without leaders or language, where everyone lives in harmony, peace, and plenty. “All things in common nature should produce without sweat or endeavor,” he says. He elaborates this utopian vision while Antonio and Sebastian continue their snide commentary. Alonso remains troubled and disinclined to hear Gonzalo’s talk. Gonzalo then turns on Antonio and Sebastian, scolding them once again, this time for their mockery and cowardice. 

Ariel enters, invisible, and plays music that makes Gonzalo and Alonso fall asleep. As they sleep, Antonio slyly presents a murder plot to Sebastian. Since Ferdinand is almost definitely dead, Antonio says, Alonso‘s death would make Sebastian King of Naples. Sebastian is drawn in, remembering how Antonio overthrew his own brother. He hesitates a bit, though, asking Antonio if his conscience bothers him for what he did to Prospero. Antonio dismisses the question.

Being away from civilization on the island inspired Gonzalo to imagine a perfect society. In contrast, Antonio and Sebastian see being on the lawless island as an opportunity to steal Alonso’s power. Their only constraint is morality, but Antonio ignores morality.

Sebastian is convinced to go ahead with the plot, and Sebastian and Antonio draw their swords. Just then, Ariel enters again, and sings a soft warning. Gonzalo and Alonso awaken. Caught with their swords out, the two conspirators claim somewhat unconvincingly that they heard loud bellowing nearby and sought to protect their comrades from a beast they believed was nearby. Gonzalo and Alonso, unsettled, draw their swords and exit, followed by Ariel, who plans to tell Prospero of the plot he has foiled.

Ariel’s entry is a reminder that despite Antonio and Sebastian’s dreams of taking power, they’re actually under Prospero’s tight control. Acting under Prospero orders, Ariel put Alonso and Gonzalo to sleep in order to create a situation in which Antonio and Sebastian might reveal their true immoral natures.