"Twelve years before the action of the play, Prospero, formerly Duke of Milan, had been usurped by his treacherous brother Antonio, aided by Alonso, King of Naples. Escaping by boat with his infant daughter Miranda, Prospero had fled to an island where he has been living ever since, using his magical powers to keep the island's only inhabitant, Caliban, as a slave, and a local spirit Ariel as a servant.

When a ship carrying his brother Antonio passes nearby, Prospero conjures up a storm using the help of Ariel and the ship is destroyed. Antonio is shipwrecked, along with Alonso, Ferdinand (Alonso's son who is heir of the throne), Sebastian (Alonso's brother), Gonzalo (Prospero's trustworthy minister), Adrian and other court members. Prospero is determined to regain his dukedom."