The Tempest | Shakespeare Learning Zone

The Tempest is a play about families, magic and forgiveness.

All of the information you need about the play is divided into four sections: Story, Characters, Language and Staging.

Each section has three different levels of information. Choose which level is right for you or simply move between them to find what you need. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started with The Tempest.

Level 1 - New to the play

Start with level 1 to find:

In STORY: A simple overview of the story
In CHARACTERS: Basic character descriptions
In LANGUAGE: Key language terms
In STAGING: Facts about the settings

Watch this sample film of RSC actors explaining ‘iambic pentameter’.

Level 2 - More detailed information

Start with level 2 to find:

In STORY: A timeline of the play
In CHARACTERS: A character map exploring relationships
In LANGUAGE: Key Scenes with videos
In STAGING: Pictures of RSC performances

Watch this sample film of RSC actors exploring a key scene.

Level 3 - In-depth study and analysis

Start with level 3 to find:

In STORY: Detailed scene-by-scene descriptions
In CHARACTERS: PEE grids on central characters
In LANGUAGE: Detailed breakdowns of themes and imagery
In STAGING: Information about performing the play yourself

Shakespeare Learning Zone

The Tempest is a play about families, magic and forgiveness.

Watch this sample film of RSC actors explaining ‘iambic pentameter’.

Watch this sample film of RSC actors exploring a key scene.

Watch this sample film of RSC actors discussing how they approach texts for the first time.