The play begins on a ship carrying King Alonso of Naples, his son Ferdinand, and other members of the royal court during a violent storm. The crew fights to survive, but their ship eventually sinks. 

On a desolate island nearby, Miranda asks her father, Prospero, if it is his magic that has caused the storm and begs him not to hurt anyone. Prospero tells Miranda that no one will be harmed and asks his daughter if she remembers a time before they came to this island. He reveals that he was once the Duke of Milan, but that his own brother, Antonio, schemed with the King of Naples to overthrow him. Gonzalo, a loyal counsellor, supplied them with food and books so that they would survive the voyage to the island, where they have since lived for twelve years.  

Prospero puts a spell on Miranda to make her fall asleep, and summons Ariel, a magical spirit who serves him. Ariel informs Prospero that he has done as he was asked, and that the shipwreck survivors are now spread around the island. When Prospero tells Ariel that there is more to be done, Ariel asks when Prospero will free him. Prospero reminds Ariel that he freed him from Sycorax’s imprisonment and that Ariel is still in debt to him. He gives him his next task and says that when everything is done, he will free Ariel as promised. 

Prospero wakes up Miranda and says that they must go and visit Caliban. Despite living there before Prospero arrived, Caliban has also been forced to serve Prospero. Caliban’s mother, Sycorax, was the ruler of the island before she died and is depicted as a wicked sorceress. Caliban curses Prospero for taking his island and enslaving him. Prospero alleges that he was kind to Caliban and even taught him their language, until Caliban broke their trust when he tried to rape Miranda. 

When the ship’s passengers wash up on the island, they are separated. Ferdinand, the Prince, is alone and meets Miranda. They quickly fall in love, and Prospero feels things are going too smoothly. He pretends to imprison Ferdinand to determine if their feelings for one another are genuine. Once he is satisfied, they celebrate the engagement of Miranda and Ferdinand. 

Elsewhere, Ferdinand’s father, King Alonso, believes his son must have died at sea. Whilst he sleeps, Antonio convinces Sebastian, the King’s brother, to kill him and claim his crown. Ariel stops them just in time, using his magic to make them freeze and wake up the King.  

Meanwhile, Caliban meets Trinculo and Stephano, the King’s jester and butler, who share their wine with him – perhaps even pressuring him to drink. In their drunkenness, Caliban convinces them to overthrow Prospero and rule the island instead. However, Ariel observes this and reports their plot to Prospero. Prospero lures them into a trap and scares them with spirits in the form of hunting dogs. 

After searching the island, the King and his subjects stop to rest, and he accepts that Ferdinand must be dead. Suddenly, a magical feast is laid out around them. As they begin to eat, Ariel appears and tells the men that they will be punished for banishing Prospero and Miranda all those years ago.  

When Prospero learns that his enemies are miserable, he decides that the time has come to forgive them. He appears before them and reveals his identity. King Alonso apologises and surrenders his control of Milan. Antonio and Sebastian say very little. Alonso and Ferdinand are reunited, and they celebrate his engagement to Miranda. Prospero presents Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo to the group to shame them for plotting against him. Prospero asks Ariel to steady the waters for their return journey to Milan before setting him free. Prospero, Miranda and the noblemen make the voyage home, leaving Caliban and Ariel behind.