The Tempest Chapter Notes | English Class 6 ICSE PDF Download

Introduction

The Tempest is a story by William Shakespeare about Prospero and his daughter Miranda, who live alone on a deserted island. They were sent away from their home in Milan because Prospero's brother Antonio and the king of Naples betrayed him. Prospero uses magic to survive and plans to get back at his enemies. The story begins with a big storm that brings his enemies to the island. It tells us how they face many challenges and how love and forgiveness bring a happy ending to everyone.

Key Points

This story is about:

• Prospero and Miranda live on a lonely island after being forced out of Milan by Antonio and the king of Naples.
• Prospero learned magic from his books and uses it to control spirits, with Ariel as his main helper.
• He creates a storm to bring his enemies, including Antonio and the king’s son Ferdinand, to the island.
• Miranda feels sad seeing the storm but Prospero promises no one on the ship will get hurt.
• Ferdinand, thinking his father is dead, meets Miranda, and they fall in love quickly.
• Prospero tests Ferdinand’s love by making him carry heavy logs, which makes him very tired.
• Antonio and the king feel guilty and sorry for betraying Prospero and ask for his forgiveness.
• Prospero forgives them, shows the king his son is alive with Miranda, and gives up his magic.
• He buries his magic books and wand and plans to return home with Miranda.
• Ariel is set free and sings a happy song as he leaves the island.

Explanation

Prospero and Miranda live on a deserted island after being betrayed by Prospero’s brother Antonio, who wanted to take his place as duke of Milan. With the help of the king of Naples, Antonio forced Prospero and baby Miranda onto a small boat without any way to sail and left them to die. A kind man named Gonzalo secretly put food, clothes, and Prospero’s precious books in the boat, which helped them survive until they reached the island. 

Prospero spends his time teaching Miranda and studying his books, from which he learns magic. This magic helps him free the island’s spirits, and Ariel, a gentle spirit who only Prospero can see, becomes his main assistant. Using these spirits, Prospero can control the weather and the sea. One day, Prospero uses his magic to create a big storm to bring his enemies to the island. 

Miranda sees a ship struggling in the waves and feels very upset, begging her father to save the people. Prospero calms her by saying no one will be harmed and that he caused the storm to help her understand her past. He tells her they were once royalty in Milan, but Antonio, who was left in charge, became greedy and took his power with the king’s help. Gonzalo’s kindness saved them, and now Prospero uses the storm to bring Antonio and the king to face him.

The storm brings the king of Naples, Antonio, and the king’s son Ferdinand to the island. Ariel reports that Ferdinand jumped into the sea, thinking his father died, and is now sad and alone. Prospero asks Ariel to bring Ferdinand to him. Miranda, who has never seen anyone but her father, thinks Ferdinand is a spirit when she sees him. 

Prospero explains he is a young prince who lost his friends. Miranda, used to seeing only her old father, is amazed by Ferdinand’s youth and beauty, and they fall in love right away. Prospero, noticing this, decides to test Ferdinand’s love. He acts strict, calls Ferdinand a spy, and uses magic to stop him from moving when he tries to fight back. Prospero then orders Ferdinand to carry heavy logs, a task he’s not used to, which makes him very tired. Miranda tries to help but ends up talking to him, slowing the work. Prospero watches them secretly and is pleased to see their love grow.

Meanwhile, Ariel makes Antonio and the king feel scared and guilty by showing them strange things and reminding them of their cruelty. They realize their bad actions caused their troubles and feel deep regret. Ariel tells Prospero they are truly sorry, and Prospero decides to forgive them. He calls Ariel to bring them to him. 

When they arrive, shocked and scared, Prospero reveals himself. Antonio and the king apologize with tears, promising to give back his dukedom. Prospero forgives them and surprises the king by showing Ferdinand and Miranda together, playing chess. The king is overjoyed to see his son alive, and Miranda is amazed to see so many kind people, calling it a brave new world. The king offers to be Miranda’s father, and Prospero asks them to forget the past since it ended well.

Prospero tells them their ship is safe, and the sailors are ready to go. He and Miranda will return home the next day. To leave his magic behind, Prospero buries his books and wand deep in the ground, choosing a peaceful life. Before leaving, he frees Ariel, who is very happy and sings a joyful song about flying and living freely in nature.

Message

The story teaches us that forgiveness and love can overcome anger and revenge. Prospero, despite being hurt, chooses to forgive Antonio and the king, showing that kindness can turn bad situations into happy ones. It also shows how love between Miranda and Ferdinand brings peace to everyone.

New Words with Meanings

• Tempest: A strong storm with lots of wind.
• Captive: Someone who is kept as a prisoner.
• Implored: Asked or begged someone in a serious way.
• Effected: Made something happen.
• Cherub: A cute or innocent child.
• Pray: A polite way to ask or give an instruction.
• Cast ashore: Thrown onto the shore by waves.
• Company: The passengers and crew on a ship.
• Melancholy: Feeling sad and hopeless.
• Yonder: Over there, at a distance.
• Perceived: Realized or understood something.
• Fatigue: Feeling very tired or exhausted.
• Penitence: Feeling sorry for doing something wrong.
• Stupefied: Greatly shocked or surprised.
• Depose: To remove someone from power using force or tricks.
• Reconciled: Became friends again after a fight or disagreement.
• Cowslip's bell: The inner petals of the deep-yellow flowers of the cowslip plant.