THE TEMPEST

THE DENOUEMENT IN ‘THE TEMPEST’

(ACT V)

The purpose of comedy is to provide the viewer with an overall sense of satisfaction and
fulfilment at its conclusion. The Tempest, like a typical romantic comedy has a series of
twists in plot, each of which causes confusion. The “Art” of Prospero directed the entire
operation. What began as the fulfilment of twelve years of cumulative desire for revenge,
dramatically changes in the last Act. There is a transformation in Prospero who says that
though he is deeply hurt with the royal party for their “high wrongs” at the same time “with
my nobler reason against my fury do I take part”. He proves himself a superior human
being saying, “The rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance”.

With this noble virtue in mind Prospero, whose “project gathers to a head” can confront
and deal with his enemies in whatever way he wishes. He chose forgiveness above revenge
especially when Ariel recounts the pathetic condition his enemies were in saying, that as
“one of their kind” he was “kindlier moved”. He asks Ariel to release them and in an
introduction to what is to come decides to break his charms over them and restore them to
their senses.

The concluding Act is also an opportunity for Prospero to bid farewell to the spirits, the
elves and fairies, that have done his bidding. He announces, “This rough magic I here
abjure … I’ll break my staff, bury it certain fathoms in the earth and deeper than did ever
plummet sound, I’ll drown my book”.

Having made this decision, the royal party, who are still under Prospero’s charm are
brought to him by Ariel. In this state of semi-consciousness he greets each of the party
whom we presume are affected by his words but are not conscious enough to reply. He
promises to repay Gonzalo, “both in word and deed”. He reminds Alonso that he had been,
“most cruelly” used. Antonio and Sebastian are now effected by “inward pinches” due to
their double conspiracy against Prospero and then Alonso. Having recorded his displeasure,
he tells them “I do forgive thee, unnatural though thou art”. To maintain a sense of
verisimilitude he dons his ducal hat and rapier to present himself as he was “sometime
Milan”.

Prospero introduces himself as the wronged Duke of Milan, embraces the King and bids
him “a hearty welcome”. Alonso, stunned by this appearance agrees to make amends. He
says, “thy Dukedom I resign, and do entreat thou pardon me my wrongs”. This is very
much in keeping with the theme of repentance and forgiveness in the denouement of the
Play. In this mood even the conspirators Antonio and Sebastian are forgiven.

With forgiveness being completed, happiness is to be restored. Prospero builds up the

situation for the miraculous return of Ferdinand to his grieving father. He is pleased when
he hears Alonso wish that both their children could be present at that time and that “they
were living both in Naples, the King and Queen there”. In remarks loaded with dramatic
irony Prospero speaks of his daughter being lost in “this last tempest”. This is a direct
reference to the young couple being lost to each other in love. In a dramatic, yet expected
twist in the plot, Prospero tells Alonso, “My Dukedom, since you have given me again I
will requite you with as good a thing”. The inner curtains are parted to reveal Ferdinand
and Miranda romantically involved in a game of chess.

Alonso’s delight is understandable. Being reunited with his son he wonders who his lady
companion is. There is further delight when Miranda is introduced as “a wife” whom he
has decided to marry using his own judgement in the absence of his father. There is joy all
around when Alonso accepts her as his daughter and is about to ask for her forgiveness.
The universal pleasure is reflected in the words of Gonzalo who prays to the gods to look
down “and on this couple drop a blessed crown”.

More practical considerations are what inspire the return of the Master and the Boatswain,
who must convey the group to Naples. The Master and the Boatswain are still in a sense of
wonder, unaware of whether they really experienced or dreamed of the recent events. For
them - “The best news is that we have safely found our King and company, the next our
ship … is tight and yare and bravely rigged as when we first put out to sea”. They recount
the way in which they awoke from the charm and were “straightaway at liberty”.

Alonso confesses, “This is as strange a maze as ever men trod and there is in this business
more than Nature was ever conduct of”. Prospero advises him not to trouble himself “with
beating on the strangeness of this business”, and promises to explain “these happened
accidents”.

There is still need for the gang of drunken conspirators to be dealt with. On Prospero’s
instructions Ariel had led Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo, from the slimy pool in which
they had been kept. They are presented before the royal party. Stephano and Trinculo are
denounced before Alonso, their master, while Caliban is especially picked out for criticism
as “ a thing of darkness”. These are suffering the pain promised by Prospero. Caliban is
repentant that he had mistaken a “drunkard for a god and worship(ed) this dull fool”. They
are ordered to clean Prospero’s cell to which the royal party is invited. There is also the
promise of “calm seas, gales and sails so expeditious” for the return of the royal party to
Naples.

Every group of characters is therefore forgiven and Prospero closes his magic with a
promise to return to Milan “where every third thought shall be my grave”.

Ariel is given the final charge to safely convey them to Naples and is told, “Then to the
elements be free and fair thou well”.

This is Prospero’s final act and the Play concludes with a sense of fulfilment. This is
reflected in the joy of Ariel who says, “Merrily merrily shall I live now, under the blossoms
that hang on the bough”.