Act 5: Conclusions to the Play

The Tempest ends with a general sense of resolution and hope.

• After four acts in which Prospero uses magic to split up, disorient, and torture his enemies,
guided by the advice of Ariel he brings everyone to the same spot on the island and forgives
Alonso and Antonio for their betrayal twelve years prior.
• The union between Miranda and Ferdinand heals wounds of the past.
• Alonso, who thought his son had died, feels renewed when he discovers Ferdinand has survived.
• Ferdinand’s engagement to Miranda establishes a bond between Alonso and Prospero
• Miranda and Ferdinand’s union suggests the possibility for a new future, devoid of conflict
• Miranda articulates a sense of wonder at the “brave new world” that has opened up for her.
• With the major conflict between Prospero and Alonso resolved, Prospero breaks his staff and
gives up magic in preparation for his return to Milan.
• Alone on stage, Prospero asks the audience to set him free with their applause.
Prospero’s Soliloquy, Act 5
ORIGINAL TEXT
Now my charms are all o'erthrown,
And what strength I have’s mine own,
Which is most faint. Now, ’tis true,
I must be here confined by you,
5Or sent to Naples. Let me not,
Since I have my dukedom got
And pardoned the deceiver, dwell
In this bare island by your spell,
But release me from my bands
With the help of your good hands.
Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill, or else my project fails,
Which was to please. Now I want
Spirits to enforce, art to enchant,
And my ending is despair,
Unless I be relieved by prayer,
Which pierces so that it assaults
Mercy itself and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardoned be,
Let your indulgence set me free.
MODERN TRANSLATION
Now my spells are all broken, Written in 1610–
And the only power I have is my own, 1611, The Tempest is
Which is very weak. Now you all most likely the last
Have got the power to keep me prisoner here, play written entirely
Or send me off to Naples. Please don’t by Shakespeare
Keep me here on this desert island
himself, after which
With your magic spells. Release me
he contributed/co-
So I can return to my dukedom
With your help. The gentle wind
wrote other plays.
You blow with your applause
What conclusions does
Will fill my ship’s sails. Without applause,
My plan to please you has failed. Prospero’s soliloquy
Now I have no spirits to enslave, offer about the
No magic to cast spells, Tempest?
And I’ll end up in despair
Unless I’m relieved by prayer,
What is Shakespeare
Which wins over God himself
And absolves all sins.
perhaps saying about
Just as you’d like to have your sins forgiven, himself?
Indulge me, forgive me, and set me free.
 THREE BIG QUESTIONS

Characters in The Tempest are willing to go to great lengths in order

to fulfill their desire for more power. Even when they have power, they
seek out more. Is this human nature? Or a reflection the time period
during which Shakespeare’s wrote?

Why does Prospero forgive everyone when he has the

power to do otherwise?

Prospero decides to give up magic in Act 5.

Why?
Circling Back: Major Themes
If you admit your wrongdoing, you will find redemption.

It’s best to forgive and move on.

Your best friends are there when they need to be.

When people explore new lands, they often abuse the indigenous
populations.

The value of freedom.