Prospero - The rightful Duke of Milan, who was usurped by his brother Antonio and exiled to a remote island with his daughter Miranda. He is a powerful sorcerer who controls the spirits of the island, including Ariel.

Miranda - Prospero's daughter, who has lived her entire life on the island. She falls in love with Ferdinand, the son of the King of Naples.

Ariel - A powerful air spirit who serves Prospero as long as he promises to release her from bondage.

Caliban - A deformed savage and native inhabitant of the island, who is the son of the witch Sycorax. He is enslaved by Prospero.

Ferdinand - The son of the King of Naples, who is shipwrecked on the island and falls in love with Miranda.

Alonso - The King of Naples, whose ship is caught in the tempest caused by Prospero.

Antonio - Prospero's brother, who usurped him as the Duke of Milan.

Sebastian - Alonso's brother, who conspires with Antonio against Alonso.

Gonzalo - An honest old counselor.

Trinculo and Stephano - A jester and a drunken butler who encounter Caliban and attempt to kill Prospero.

The play also features various spirits like Iris, Ceres, Juno, Nymphs, and Reapers who perform a masque for Miranda and Ferdinand's engagement.

There are also minor characters like the Master of the Ship and Mariners.

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Colonialism and the "Other"
The character of Caliban, the deformed native of the island, represents the colonized peoples viewed as savages by the European colonial powers. His enslavement by Prospero raises questions about the morality and ethics of colonialism and subjugation of indigenous populations.

Power and Usurpation
The play examines the theme of power struggles and usurpation, as Prospero was wrongfully overthrown as the Duke of Milan by his brother Antonio. This mirrors Shakespeare's earlier plays like Macbeth and Richard II that dealt with illegitimate seizures of power.

Magic and the Supernatural
Magic and the supernatural are central to the plot, with Prospero's magical powers over the island and spirits like Ariel driving much of the action. This reflects the Renaissance fascination with the occult and the unknown.

Reconciliation and Forgiveness
By the end, Prospero renounces his magic and forgives those who wronged him, suggesting themes of reconciliation, forgiveness, and restoration of order and rightful power.

Nature vs. Nurture
The contrasting characters of Caliban and Miranda, both born on the island but with vastly different upbringings, raise the debate around nature versus nurture in shaping human behavior.

"The Tempest" draws on many of Shakespeare's earlier themes while also exploring new areas like colonialism, making it a rich culmination of his artistic vision and preoccupations.

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The play's inclusion in the First Folio indicates it was considered significant and worthy of preservation. The First Folio was a significant publication, aimed at preserving Shakespeare's works and presenting them to a wider audience.

The early 17th century was a period of exploration and colonization. "The Tempest" is often interpreted as reflecting contemporary issues of colonization and the relationship between Europeans and indigenous peoples. Characters like Caliban, who is native to the island, and Prospero, who takes control of it, could be seen as allegories for these broader themes.

The masque within the play, celebrating a betrothal, reflects Jacobean tastes for elaborate courtly entertainments and may have been particularly appealing to the courtly audience.

The supernatural elements, including Prospero's magic, Ariel, and the enchanted island, would have fascinated audiences. Magic was a popular theme in Jacobean drama, appealing to the era's curiosity about the unknown and the mystical.

In summary, "The Tempest" was likely perceived as a significant and complex play, appreciated for its literary quality, engaging with contemporary political and cultural themes, and featuring elements that appealed to the tastes and interests of its audience.

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