(THE TEMPEST) Act - II (Scene Wise Summary)

Summary

Act - II Scene - I

 The scene opens with Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian and others trying to console Alonso who is under the impression that his Ferdinand has been drowned in the sea. In fact Ferdinand is safe and by the magic power of Prospero, has been separated from the rest of the party. Gonzalo keeps comforting Alonso in his great grief. In the meantime, Ariel appears, invisible and by his somnolent(sleepy) music puts all the members of the party to sleep. Antonio, the villain, provokes Sebastian to kill Alonso and Gonzalo in their sleep so that Sebastian might become the king of Naples. As the two conspirators are about to murder Alonso and Gonzalo, the victims are awakened by the invisible Ariel. The plot is thus frustrated, but the conspirators still hope to carry out their plan.

        Stephano is drunk and he make others drunk because he was washed ashore clinging to a cask full of wine. Under the influence of liquor Caliban begins to think Stephano a god. He promises to become Stephano's life long servant, if the latter will manage to kill Prospero. Stephano assures him that he will do so. 

         

        In this scene we come across the idyllic atmosphere of love between Ferdinand and Miranda. Miranda falls in love with Ferdinand at first sight. She is not in a mood to see Ferdinand being subjected to the drudgery of carrying logs of wood. She tells him point-blank that she would become his wife or not marry at all. Having secretly overheard the conversation between the lovers Prospero feels happy.

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