The Tempest

By William Shakespeare, William Davenant, William Hershaw, et al.

Book Overview

"We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep." - William Shakespeare.

This timeless masterpiece by William Shakespeare was his final work. A bewitching play set on an enchanted, secluded island, it articulates his reflections on life and contains many of his most quoted lines. The captivating drama, filled with comedy, romance, adventure, and magical intrigue, also explores the depths of human ambition, the consequences of betrayal, and the potential for redemption.

The narrative concerns a lovely young woman, Miranda and her father Prospero, a powerful, sorcerer. They live an idyllic life on the island with their servants, Ariel, an invisible sprite and Caliban, a witch's son, until the day Prospero conjures up a tempest to exact revenge on those who wronged him.

The storm brings a shipwrecked party to their secluded island, including enemies who usurped Prospero's dukedom years before, and set him and his daughter adrift on the ocean as well as a handsome prince, who is the first young man Miranda has ever seen.

Themes of power, control, and forgiveness intertwine as the characters' relationships evolve amidst magical encounters and revelations. This masterful drama that begins with a storm at sea, concludes in joyous harmony and is one of Shakespeare's greatest plays and one of literature's finest comedies. Its timeless themes, make it a literary treasure that continues to resonate with audiences across generations.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1722504145
• ISBN13: 9781722504144
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: G&D Media
• Length: 150 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Ordered a paperback— not a mass-market paperback.

I wanted a paperback and not a mass market edition of this book. I ordered a paperback edition of this book.

What you deserve from Norton at a good price.

I found this a very helpful and interesting adjunct to the play proper (although, of course, it has the play in it). Like most NCE's it is stuffed with extras: primary sources, critical reactions and analyses, and creative reinterpretations. The price is a little higher than the Folger or other popular Shakepeare's paperbacks, but you get a lot of bang for only a few extra bucks. Pretty cool. I found it worked well as a "Teacher's Edition."

Sparknotes Rule!!

We are collecting as many Sparknotes as possible. When you are required to read Shakespeare, you must have a guide. It's that simple. There is no guide better, in our opinion as teachers, and students of literature.

Excellent series for students

The Oxford School Shakespeare series is excellent for students, both high schoolers and undergraduates. They provide play text that is clearly and attractively laid out on the page with copious notes and annotations, as well as line-drawings and illustrations to enliven and elucidate. The introductory material on sources, plot summary, characterizations, thematic interpretations, music, and even suggestions for classwork and projects for expanded study, are excellent. Highly recommended!

Great Study Helper

This was a great helper for my english class. It helped so mcuh for studing and homework. In it you get not only the text, but summaries and translations from the old english to the modern english. It also includes insights into William Shakspears writting technique. It helped me so much i dont know what i'd do without it. I recommend this to anyone who is studing The Tempest, because it will be your bestfriend forever! Definatly choose this edition! It's FANTASTIC!