Prospero, a potent illusionist, lives on a barren isle with his virginal daughter, Miranda. He remains in exile, banished from his duchy by his usurping sibling and the King of Naples. Providence brings these adversaries near; helped by his liege the spirit Ariel, Prospero raises a tempest to damage the Italian ship. The king's boy, thinking all others lost, comes to be Prospero's prisoner, falling in love with Miranda and she with him. Prospero's bro as well as the king wander the island, as do a drunken cook and seafarer, who conspire with Caliban, Prospero's beastly slave, to murder Prospero. Prospero desires reason to accomplishment, Ariel wants his freedom, Miranda a husband; the sailors want to dance.