Prospero and Miranda
(THE FLASHBACK SCENE)
Prospero and Miranda stand on the shore of the island after they witnessed the shipwreck. Miranda is worried that people have been harmed but Prospero assures her that no one was. Prospero begins to tell Miranda the truth about how they ended up living on the island. He tells her that he was once Duke of Milan and famous for his great intelligence.
Prospero explains that he lost interest in politics and focused on his studies. Therefore he was unable to attend to his duties as a duke. This gave his brother Antonio an opportunity to act on his ambition. Antonio worked closely with the King of Naples (Alonso) and usurped Prospero of his dukedom. The King of Naples helped Antonio to raise an army to drive Prospero out of Milan. Prospero explains to Miranda how they escaped from death by being sent off to the island in an old boat prepared for him by his loyal subjects. Gonzalo, an honest Neapolitan, provided them with food and clothing, as well as books from Prospero’s library.
When Prospero finishes his story he charms Miranda with his magic and she falls asleep.
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