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The Tempest

The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare, generally dated to 1610–1611 and first published in the First Folio of 1623.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Tempest is a five-act drama by William Shakespeare, generally dated to 1610–1611 and first published in the First Folio of 1623. The play follows the exiled magician Prospero, who uses a shipwreck to bring his enemies to his island, exploring themes of power, reconciliation, and forgiveness. It is among Shakespeare's last solo works.

Plot

The play opens with a storm that shipwrecks a group of nobles and sailors near Prospero’s island. Prospero engineers events through magic, leading to revelations, forgiveness, and the betrothal of Miranda and Ferdinand.

Composition and publication

Scholars generally date the play to 1610–1611. It was first published in the 1623 First Folio, and court records indicate a performance before James I at Whitehall on 1 November 1611.

Themes

The Tempest explores power, colonization, servitude, illusion, forgiveness, and restoration. Prospero’s treatment of Ariel and Caliban has made the play a frequent focus of political and postcolonial interpretation.

Sources and influences

The play does not clearly derive from a single earlier plot source in the way many Shakespeare plays do. It has been associated with stories of shipwreck and survival, including the 1609 Sea Venture wreck near Bermuda.

Key facts

  • The play is usually considered one of Shakespeare’s last solo works.
  • Its plot centers on Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, who uses magic to bring his enemies to his island.
  • The opening storm gives the play its title and sets up the shipwrecked characters.
  • The work combines comic, tragic, and romantic elements.
  • The play ends with reconciliation, Prospero’s renunciation of magic, and plans for return to Milan.
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Canadian context

The Tempest is a standard text in Canadian secondary and post-secondary English literature curricula and is frequently staged by Canadian theatre companies.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote The Tempest?
William Shakespeare wrote The Tempest.
When was The Tempest written?
It is generally dated to about 1610–1611.
When was The Tempest first published?
It appeared in the First Folio of 1623.
What is The Tempest about?
It follows Prospero, an exiled duke and magician, who causes a storm and brings his enemies to his island before resolving the conflict.
What genre is The Tempest?
It is usually classified as a comedy or romance, though it also contains tragic and darker elements.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Tempest
    Supports: Authorship, genre, date, and First Folio publication.
  2. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/culture-magazines/tempest
    Supports: First recorded performance and general plot/origin notes.
  3. Encyclopedia Virginia — https://encyclopediavirginia.org/197hpr-49aabc8df4f2722/
    Supports: First Folio publication and Sea Venture/Bermuda influence.
  4. Royal Shakespeare Company — https://www.rsc.org.uk/the-tempest/about-the-play/dates-and-sources
    Supports: Likely date of composition.
  5. Folger Shakespeare Library — https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/the-tempest/
    Supports: Plot, characters, and thematic interpretation.