It is an insightful drama about a rightful duke who had his dukedom
stolen. He was banished to an island, along with his daughter Miranda.
However, when the tyrannical duke was sailing near the island with his
royal friends, Prospero, the rightful duke, manages to control and
manipulate their actions through the help of island spirits.

Shakespeare used his own traits to shape the main character. The
parallels between the author and Prospero, the lead character in "The
Tempest," are astounding.

Shakespeare artistically moved people around the stage. Prospero
artistically moved people around an island, whether it be through a
shipwreck, an apparition of a feast, or an assumed death of a son.

Shakespeare wrote plays which were illusions of a fantastical perfect
world. In the fourth act, Prospero says, "We are such stuff as dreams
are made on," opening the door to philosophical reasoning.

This door is the same door that Shakespeare opened throughout his
plays. Prospero says he would give up his magical powers. Shakespeare made
it public that "The Tempest" was his last play, meaning that he would
be giving up his magical power of words.

The parallels between Shakespeare and Prospero are endless and
mind-consuming. However, it is not until you read "The Tempest" that you can
see the parallel.

"The Tempest" is definitely a play that cannot be read on face value;
it would be rather boring if you did. As with most books of literary
merit, to read, you have to read behind the words and think about the
endless parallels.

"The Tempest" is full of them, and is definitely worth a read.