The Tempest and A Midsummer Night's Dream Summary

The Tempest is about the duke of Milan, Prospero, and his daughter, Miranda, who are put into a small boat in the middle of the sea by Prospero's envious brother, Antonio, who hopes they will perish. A loyal friend secretly puts provisions and other necessities for survival in the boat. They land on an island which had been enchanted by the witch Sycorax who died a short time before they arrived. Fortunately Prospero's books on magic had been placed in the boat, and because of his study of the magic arts, he is able to release good spirits that had been imprisoned in trees on the island. The chief spirit is Ariel, a lively little spirit who becomes Prospero's servant.

On the island Prospero also finds an ape-like, bad-natured monster, Caliban...