Prospero, Duke of Milan, had been dethroned by his brother, Antonio, and placed on board a small boat with his little daughter Miranda. Set adrift, they reached an enchanted island, of which Prospero is now sole master, attended by the spirit Ariel and a brutal and deformed servant, Caliban. Miranda has grown into a lovely young woman, and Prospero has become a magician. He contrives to have cast upon the island from a foundering ship the usurper, Antonio, Alonzo king of Naples, and Alonzo's brother, Sebastian. Alonzo's son, Ferdinand, has made his way ashore also, but is separated from the others. He and

Miranda meet and fall in love immediately, but Prospero is extremely gruff toward the youth.

In another part of the island, Sebastian plans to kill Alonzo, in conspiracy with Antonio and become King of Naples, but Ariel thwarts the plot at Prospero’s command.

Caliban schemes with the servants of the marooned kings to kill Prospero and ravish Miranda, but again Prospero's magic overcomes the conspirators.

Prospero brings the entire party together at a banquet, reveals his identity and forgives his brother, who gives him back his Dukedom. Miranda, of course, is to marry Ferdinand, and the ship, which was believed wrecked, is found to have ridden out the storm, and is waiting to take them all back to Naples and Milan.