We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Theatre

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Shakespeare's the Tempest Based on?

Jessica Ellis
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 29,564
Share

The Tempest, generally accepted to be William Shakespeare’s last play, tells a magical tale of a mystical island, inhabited by forces light and dark. Typically of Shakespeare’s late romance plays, magic and mysticism play a significant role, but the setting of The Tempest gives many historians pause. Where Shakespeare got the story or idea for the play is a great mystery, although several prominent Shakespearean scholars have put for their own ideas as to what The Bard is referencing.

The most common theory is that Shakespeare’s play was inspired by the true-life tales of a shipwreck in the Bahamas in 1609. The Sea Venture a main ship for the powerful Virginia Company, left port in June for the New World, carrying settlers to the new town of Jamestown in Virginia. Nearly two months into the trip, the ship was caught in a hurricane, leading the captain to ground it on the reefs of an island. By crash landing on Bermuda, 150 people and a dog were saved from the storm.

In London, accounts of the shipwreck and the events that followed it were published in pamphlet form by an eyewitness, William Strachey. Many believe that Shakespeare not only had access to Strachey’s tales, but drew on them extensively to write The Tempest. The timing certainly matches, as the play was first performed in 1611 and is believed to have been written no more than a year before.

Some scholars suggest that the island of The Tempest may not be in the New World at all, but considerably closer to England. Ireland has been suggested as a possible setting for the play, which deals at least partially with concepts of colonization and home rule. Many of the mystic creatures that appear in the play have a Celtic origin or Irish counterpart to which parallels may be drawn.

A controversial theory is that the island is actually a metaphor for London, and the morally obtuse figure of Prospero is a version of Shakespeare himself. Prospero is a man of great power and prestige on the island, the ruler of all creatures, yet he chooses to leave his domain behind and return to a life of peaceful, family rule. Similarly, Shakespeare quit the stage after The Tempest returning to his family estates in Stratford to live his few remaining years in relative peace. Experts cite the epilogue of the play as strangely direct, and have even suggested that it may be Shakespeare bidding farewell to the theater and asking forgiveness and love from his audience.

Some scholars dismiss the idea that The Tempest has a direct geographical source. Shakespeare’s last plays were characterized by their originality; he drew less and less on classic stories as he grew in skill and fame. Many consider his last work to be among his greatest, and chief among the romance plays. Where the play is actually set, the answer is no doubt lost to history as are most of the Shakespeare mysteries. What posterity is left with is the tremendous gift of the play itself, and the magical atmosphere that pervades the setting wherever it may really be.

Share
Musical Expert is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Jessica Ellis
By Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis brings a unique perspective to her work as a writer for Musical Expert. While passionate about drama and film, Jessica enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics, creating content that is both informative and engaging for readers.

Related Articles

Discussion Comments
By anon249929 — On Feb 23, 2012

There could be a bit more info but it's the only place with this topic instead of the real story!

By anon188042 — On Jun 20, 2011

Whatever may have motivated Shakespeare to write The Tempest, it is undeniable that the tale and many of the events were a dramatic recreation of the wreck of the Sea Venture and the events that unfolded on the island afterwards. When the passengers of Sea Venture returned home, their story was extremely popular throughout England.

By anon73702 — On Mar 29, 2010

Very useful info.

By anon64615 — On Feb 08, 2010

I think shakespeare wrote the tempest because he may have had a tragedy that happened to him when he was younger, causing him to write the play (i.e. revenge).

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis...
Learn more
Share
https://www.musicalexpert.org/what-is-shakespeares-the-tempest-based-on.htm
Copy this link
Musical Expert, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Musical Expert, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.