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THE TEMPEST
The Tempest
Act I.
A huge storm batters a ship carrying Alonso, (the King of
On the island near the storm, Prospero and his daughter Miranda are introduced. We learn that Prospero has created the storm battling Alonso and company's ship. Miranda asks Prospero to stop the storm. We also learn that Prospero was once the Duke of Milan but was banished to this island with Miranda by Antonio, his brother who took over Prospero's dukedom of
We are introduced to Ariel, Prospero's magic fairy who tells us that the men onboard the ship have all made it ashore unharmed as planned. Caliban, a misformed beast is also introduced. Ariel leads Ferdinand to Miranda and the two immediately fall in love. Prospero decides to be rude to Ferdinand, fearful of too rapid a courtship.
Act II.
The rest of the shipwreck survivors wake up on the island. They are surprised that their clothes smell and feel as fresh as if they had just been bought at a market...
Ariel's song puts them all to sleep again except for Sebastian and Antonio. Antonio who replaced his brother Prospero as Duke of Milan manipulates Sebastian, King Alonso's brother into doing the same thing by replacing King Alonso. The two are about to kill Alonso in his sleep but Ariel awakens everyone and the two men quickly make an excuse for drawing their swords out.
Trinculo, a jester on the ship, discovers Caliban and quickly realizes that such a beast would earn a fortune for him as a novelty in
Act III.
Prospero who is now invisible to Ferdinand and Miranda, witnesses Ferdinand and Miranda expressing their deep love for one another in words that rival Romeo and Juliet in their tenderness. Prospero, realizing he is witnessing a truly rare meeting of hearts, approves of Ferdinand for his daughter. The scene ends with Ferdinand taking Miranda for his wife. Prospero is pleased but must now leave to attend to matters before supper...
Bottle in hand, Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban continue on their merry way together. Stephano starts getting delusions of grandeur, which Caliban blindly follows. Trinculo thinks Caliban is being foolish to follow Stephano so blindly. Caliban succeeds in convincing Stephano into killing Prospero and taking over the island and suggests several gruesome ways of killing Prospero. Ariel lures the group away with his entrancing sounds...
Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian and Francisco and others witness a banquet on the island but it is an illusion. Ariel returns and verbally punishes Alonso (King of Naples), Antonio and Sebastian for their roles in exiling Prospero, Ariel's master...
Act IV.
Prospero tells Ferdinand that he no longer will punish him, but instead will freely give his daughter's hand in marriage to him. Prospero conjures up a beautiful, mythical, illusory party to celebrate, complete with goddesses and nymphs.
Prospero instructs Ariel to lead the shipwrecked men on the island before him. Remembering Stephano, Caliban and Trinculo, Prospero has Ariel distract them with clothes, Caliban failing to keep his friends focused on killing Prospero. Prospero promises Ariel that he will soon be free...
Act V.
Prospero brings everyone except Stephano, Caliban and Trinculo before him in a circle. Spellbound, he verbally reprimands several of the men who exiled him. Prospero tells Ariel that he will soon be free and that he will miss him. Prospero also intends to destroy his ability to use magic.
Making his presence known, Prospero forgives King Alonso, and tells Sebastian and Antonio he will keep secret their plan to kill Alonso, forgiving both.
The famously sweet scene of Ferdinand playing chess with Miranda occurs. King Alonso is overjoyed to see his son Ferdinand and soon learns of Ferdinand's imminent marriage to Miranda.
Prospero forgives Stephano and Trinculo. Caliban is embarrassed that he followed a fool (Trinculo). Caliban is given his freedom. Prospero announces that in the morning they will all set sail for
Epilogue:
Prospero asks the audience to free him to travel back to
JULIUS CAESAR
Julius Caesar
Act I.
Shakespeare's famous Roman play opens to the scene of two Tribunes, Marullus and Flavius scolding Roman citizens for blindly worshipping Caesar. Their conversation reveals deep-seated fears that Caesar is growing too powerful, too arrogant and must be stopped. Hoping to reduce the blind hero worship of Caesar, the two men remove ceremonial decorations off Caesar's "images" (statues) despite the obvious dangers of doing so...
A little later, we see Caesar leading a procession through the streets of
Cassius' conspiracy gains momentum when he recruits a suspicious Casca to their cause against Caesar by pointing out that several recent strange occurrences are omens warning them against Caesar... To ensure Brutus joins his conspiracy, Cassius has Cinna place some forged letters where Brutus will find them convincing Brutus to join their cause. Cinna reveals that Brutus' good name will be an asset to their conspiracy...
Act II.
Brutus cannot sleep, revealing for the first time his own true fears that Caesar may be growing too powerful. A letter is discovered, which Brutus reads, convincing him to join the conspiracy. The complete group of conspirators meets at Brutus' house, discussing Caesar's assassination. Brutus argues against Caesar's right hand man, Mark Antony being assassinated as well. Cassius and Trebonius have their doubts but go along with Brutus. Brutus' troubled wife Portia tries to find out what her husband is planning, worried for him...
Calphurnia, Caesar's wife, wakes Caesar up after herself awakening from a terrible nightmare. She tells Caesar, that her dream foretells doom and succeeds in convincing Caesar not go to the Senate (also referred to as The Capitol) on the "ides of March" which is tomorrow. Decius Brutus arrives and hearing that Caesar will not be at the Senate tomorrow, flatters Caesar into going so as not to show fear (allowing Brutus and company to kill him there).
Artemidorus waits in a street with a letter warning Caesar of the conspiracy, hoping to avert Caesar's assassination...
Portia worries for her husband, hoping his "enterprise" today will succeed. The Soothsayer who warned Caesar about the "ides of March" in Act I, waits in a narrow street hoping to warn Caesar of his imminent danger...
Act III.
Caesar arrogantly tells the Soothsayer that today is the "ides of March", but the Soothsayer tells him the day is not over yet... Artemidorus nearly warns Caesar but Decius Brutus prevents this. Popilius wishes the conspirators good luck, scaring them that Caesar may already know their plans.
Metellus Cimber petitions Caesar to lift his brother's banishment order. Caesar refuses and the conspirators kill Caesar. Mark Antony flees. Mark Antony pretends to treat Caesar's murderers as friends. He asks to speak at Caesar's funeral. Cassius thinks this is dangerous, Brutus, disagreeing, lets Mark Antony speak at the funeral.
Mark Antony reveals his true hatred for the conspirators. Octavius, Mark Antony's ally is remain safely outside of
Using the immortal words, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;" Mark Antony turns the citizens of Rome against Brutus and Cassius by making the citizens feel remorse for Caesar's cruel death and by bribing then with the news that Caesar's will gifts each citizen money from his will. Mark Antony uses this fact to suggest Caesar was a great man who should not have been murdered.
The crowd, now an angry, crazed mob, go after the conspirators including Brutus and Cassius who flee in fear...
A poet called Cinna who bears the same name as one of the conspirators is killed by the angry mob which shows Shakespeare's insight into the senselessness of the mob mentality...
Act IV.
The Triumvirs (Octavius, Mark Antony and Lepidus) decide which of the conspirators shall live and which shall die. Mark Antony assures Octavius that Lepidus does not and will not ever have any serious power... The two men start planning their attack on Brutus' and Cassius' forces.
Brutus learns that Cassius has finally arrived. Brutus is angry with Cassius, Cassius saying he has done his friend no wrong. Brutus wanting privacy from his troops, tells Cassius to step into his tent where he will discuss the issue further...
Brutus angrily attacks Cassius first for contradicting his order to remove Lucius Pella for taking bribes and then Cassius himself for his own dishonesty. Cassius is upset by this but eventually Brutus chooses to forgive his friend. We learn that Portia, Brutus' wife has died, over one hundred senators have been put to death by the Triumvirs and that a large army led by Mark Antony and Octavius is approaching their position... Brutus is greeted by Caesar's Ghost which tells Brutus he will see Caesar again at
Act V.
On the Plains of Philippi, Mark Antony's and Octavius' forces face Brutus' and Cassius' forces. The two sides insult each other, Mark Antony and Octavius then leaving with their army.
Later in battle with Mark Antony and Octavius, Brutus sends orders via messenger Messala to Cassius' forces on the other side of the battlefield.
Cassius' forces are losing ground to Mark Antony's forces. Brutus has defeated Octavius' forces but instead of reinforcing Cassius' forces, have instead sought out spoils or bounty from the field.
Needing information, Cassius sends Titinius to a nearby hill to report if it is friendly or not. Cassius instructs Pindarus to go atop a hill to report Titinius' progress to him.
Pindarus sees Titinius pulled off his horse and fears Titinius has been captured. This would mean Brutus' forces have been beaten so Cassius kills himself on Pindarus' sword. Titinius now returns realizing that Titinius was not captured but was greeted by Brutus' victorious forces. Brutus learns of Cassius' death. Titinius, mourning Cassius, kills commits suicide.
Brutus inspires his men to keep fighting. Lucilius who is mistaken for Brutus is captured. Eventually Mark Antony realizes this. The battle rages on and
Tired, weary, but still alive, Brutus finds a place to catch his breath with his few remaining followers. One by one, Brutus asks first Clitius, Dardanius and Volumnius to kill him but each refuses. Finally Brutus gets his wish by falling on his sword, killing himself.
Octavius, Mark Antony, Messala and Lucilius now arrive. Strato explains how Brutus died. Mark Antony pays tribute to Brutus' noble spirit by famously saying, "This was the noblest Roman of them all...." Octavius tells his soldiers to stand down, the battle now over..
MERCHANT OF VENICE
Characters
Antonio: A wealthy Venetian merchant who occasionally lends money, but never charges interest. Since his main source of income is from his merchant ships, he is the "merchant" of the play's title.
Bassanio: He is a typical Elizabethan lover and nobleman who is careless with his money; hence, he has to borrow from Antonio so that he can marry Portia.
Portia: The most intelligent and witty heroines, she is famous for her beauty and for her wealth, and she is deeply anguished that she must marry only the man who chooses the casket which contains her portrait.
Shylock: Shylock is an intelligent businessman and moneylender, he believes that charging high interest is his right.
The Duke of
The Prince of
The Prince of Arragon: He chooses the silver casket; he is another disappointed suitor for Portia's hand in marriage.
Gratiano: He is the light-hearted, talkative friend of Bassanio, who accompanies him to
Lorenzo: He is a friend of Antonio and Bassanio; he wins the love of Shylock's daughter, Jessica.
Jessica: She is the young daughter of Shylock; she falls in love with Lorenzo and elopes with him.
Nerissa: Portia's merry and sympathetic maid.
Balthasar: The servant whom Portia sends to her cousin, Dr. Bellario.
Dr. Bellario: A lawyer of
THE MERCHANT OF
Long ago, the city of
Among the wealthiest of its merchants was Antonio. He was a kind & generous person.
Bassanio was a young Venetian, of noble rank. But he spends money lavishly.
He wishes to travel to Belmont to marry a beautiful and wealthy heiress Portia.
He approaches his friend Antonio, for three thousand ducats for three months.
Antonio agrees, but his ships and cargo are at sea and had no money.
There was a Jewish moneylender Shylock who was a Jew in
Shylock hates Antonio, because he is a Christian and also because he insulted and spat on Shylock for being a Jew.
Antonio challenges Shylock's money lending business by lending money at zero percent interest.
So Antonio and Bassanio turn to Shylock for borrowing the money.
Shylock asks Antonio to be the loan’s guarantor. He told that he will lend the money without interest.
Shylock proposes a condition for the loan: If Antonio is unable to repay the money at the specified date; he may take a pound of Antonio's flesh from any part of his body.
Bassanio does not want Antonio to accept such a risky condition.
But Antonio signs the contract.
With money at hand, Bassanio leaves for
Gratiano is a likeable young man, but talkative.
The two leave for Belmont and Portia.
In Belmont, Portia’s father has left a will stipulating each of her suitors must choose correctly from one of three caskets – one each of gold, silver, and lead.
If one chooses the right casket, he gets Portia, if he lost, he had to go away.
The first suitor, the Prince of Morocco, reasons to choose the gold casket, because gold proclaims "Choose me and get what all men desire".
Inside the casket are a few gold coins and a skull with a scroll containing the famous verse:
The second suitor is the Prince of Aragon. He decides to choose silver, because the silver casket proclaims "Choose Me and Get What You Deserve".
Inside the casket, however, is the picture of a court jester's head on a baton and remarks "What's here? The portrait of a blinking idiot . . .
The scroll reads: Some there be that shadows kiss meaning that he was foolish to be a husband for Portia and that he was always a fool.
The last suitor is Bassanio, who chooses the leaden casket.
He has made the right choice. He is the man to marry Portio.
At
Shylock is very much determined to take revenge against Christians.
His daughter Jessica had run from his home to convert to Christianity and elope with Lorenzo
She has taken a substantial amount of Shylock's wealth with her.
Shylock has Antonio arrested and brought before court.
At
Gratiano and Portia's maid Nerissa also got married.
Bassanio receives a letter from Antonio that he has been unable to return the loan taken from Shylock.
Shocked, Bassanio and Gratiano leave for Venice immediately.
They move with the money from Portia, to save Antonio's life by offering the money to Shylock.
Portia has now sent her servant, Balthazar, to seek the counsel of Bellario, a lawyer, at Padua.
The climax of the play comes in the court of the Duke of Venice.
Shylock refuses Bassanio's offer of 6,000 ducats, twice the amount of the loan. He demands his pound of flesh from Antonio.
The Duke, wishing to save Antonio refers the case to a visitor who introduces himself as Balthazar, a young lawyer, bearing a letter of recommendation from the lawyer Bellario.
Balthazar is actually Portia in disguise and the "clerk" who accompanies her is actually Nerissa, also in disguise.
Balthazar asks Shylock to show mercy in a famous speech.
But Shylock refuses. He asks the court to allow him to extract the pound of flesh.
At once, Portia points out a mistake in the contract: the bond only allows Shylock to remove the flesh, but not to fall a drop of blood from Antonio’s body.
Thus, if Shylock were to shed any drop of Antonio's blood, his land and all the wealth would be forfeited under Venetian laws.
Defeated, Shylock compromises to accept Bassanio's offer of money for the defaulted bond, but Portia prevents him from taking the money on the ground that he has already refused it.
She then quotes a law under which Shylock, as a Jew and therefore an alien, having attempted to take the life of a citizen.
His property has to be forfeited, half to the government and half to Antonio.
The Duke pardons Shylock's life.
Antonio requests the Duke to give his share back to Shylock till his death and then it will be given to Lorenzo and Jessica.
The Duke grants the request of Antonio.
Bassanio does not recognize his disguised wife and offers to give a present to the supposed lawyer.
First she declines, but when he insists, Portia requests his ring.
He gives the ring only after much persuasion from Antonio.
As earlier in the play he promised his wife never to lose, sell or give it to anyone.
Nerissa, the lawyer's clerk, also succeeds in giving her ring from Gratiano, who does not understand her disguise.
At
After all the other characters make changes, all ends happily.
Antonio learns from Portia that three of his ships were not destroyed and have returned safely.