The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. In CliffsNotes on The Tempest, you follow the famous story of Prospero and his daughter Miranda. Through magic, Prospero conjures up a storm that brings a ship full of his enemies to the island on which he and Miranda live. What follows is Shakespeare's comic masterpiece that's full of intrigue and romance. Summaries and commentaries lead you, act by act, through this Shakespearean classic, and critical essays give you insight into the play as a political romance. Other features that help you study include Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.
Shakespeare’s plays can be difficult to understand. The language is not modern, the plots can get lost amidst the various characters and their dialogue, and that is before one consider any of the imagery used or the various readings of it possible (leaving aside the question of which readings are more legitimate than others, or whether particular plays should be read for anything more than what they are). Books such as these are a very useful tool in understanding classic texts.
This book concisely, lucidly and helpfully explains The Tempest. Not only does it go through the plot so that one can understand what is happening, it briefly places the play in Shakespeare’s life context, explains some unusual words and gives some brief commentaries about it. Designed for students and probably aimed at high school students, it is both them and those merely wanting to understand what this play is all about (such as I) that can benefit from this book.