The Tempest Act 4 Scene 1 - Summary & Analysis

In this post, I am going to explain you the Summary and Analysis of The Tempest Act 4 Scene 1. In this summary, I have described everything that happened in the scene in a very easy and understandable language.

The Tempest Act 4 Scene 1 Summary and Analysis

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This scene is quite different from the previous scenes as Shakespeare has once again introduced comic sense and an entertaining part in the play to make the readers enjoy the plot.

In Act 4 Scene 1, Prospero found that Ferdinand is truly in love with his daughter Miranda. Prospero tells him that the hard work imposed on him was a test of his love for Miranda. Prospero give his daughter's hand to Ferdinand. Ferdinand makes promise that he will secure the sanctity of his love.

Prospero calls Ariel and orders him for arrangement of masque to entertain the couples on this happy ocassion. In this masque , many gods and goddess participates.

Both the couples enjoy this happy moment.Suddenly, Prospero orders to cancel the masque. He asks about the three drunkards from Ariel.

Ariel tells him that they were so drunk that they are beating the earth and punching the air. Prospero asks him to hang some colorful clothes on a line to distract them when they approach.

Finally , the three drunkards spot the clothes. Caliban was so curios to kill Prospero that he goes with the plan to kill him while Trinculo and Stephano are attracted by the clothes. Prospero, the powerful magician, releases the spirits in the form of followers to chase Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo away.

So, I have explained all the happenings of the scene in short, easy, and a few straight paragraphs. This will help you remember all the events that took place in the scene and will also provide you ease in learning and understanding the summary.

The Tempest Act 4 Scene 1 Summary - Starts Here

Prospero, who has watched Ferdinand's behavior and conduct, is now sure that the young man is really in love with his daughter Miranda.

"He tells him that the hard work imposed on him was nothing but a test of his love for Miranda. He frees him of his hard labor and gives his blessings to their marriage "but warns Ferdinand not to indulge in sex before marriage. If they do so, it will result in hate, disdain, and discord." "Ferdinand makes a serious pledge to honor the sacredness of love by all means."

Prospero then orders Ariel to entertain them at this happy occasion. The entertainment takes place in the form of a masque. " In this masque, Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, Juno, the wife of Jupiter and queen of the gods, who protect the holiness of marriage, and Ceres, an earth goddess, take part to provide entertainment to the couple to bless them a happy life."

But towards the end of a dance, Prospero suddenly recalls Caliban's tricky plot and orders to end the masque immediately. This surprises the young couple Miranda then says that she has never seen her father so angry.

Prospero asks Ariel about the three drunkards. Ariel tells him that they were so drunk that they were punching the air and beating the earth. He had left them in the pond behind Prospero's cave. Prospero "asks him to hang some colorful clothes on a line to distract them when they approach."

Soon the three Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano - spot the colorful clothes. "Caliban is eager and impatient to get on with the murder of Prospero, but Trinculo and Stephano are attracted by the clothes and are indifferent." Prospero, the powerful magician, unleashes the spirits in the form of followers to chase Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo away.

Commentary or Analysis of The Tempest Act 4 Scene 1:

The masque included in this scene reduces our interest in the play. "No doubt, the masque is an essential part of the main action which leads up to the union of two houses, Milan and Naples, and happiness of Ferdinand and Miranda, but it hampers our interest."

The masque "has another importance in the play. It depicts the dominance of the supernatural elements in the play."

The second part of the scene depicts the absurd ending of the tricky plot hatched by Caliban with Stephano and Trinculo. "The plot failed to arouse our interest". The funny situation created by the three characters does provide some fun, but they are not of a high standard.

"The scene is important because it ends the plot to kill Prospero in his afternoon nap."

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