THE EPILOGUE Finally, in the Epilogue, which was written perhaps by Shakspere, perhaps by some one acquainted with his thoughts, Prospero in his character of a man, no longer a potent enchanter, petitions the spectators of the theater for two things, pardon and freedom. It would be straining matters to discover in this Epilogue profound si nificances. And yet in its playfulness it curiously falls in with the moral purport of the whole. Prospero, the pardoner, implores pardon. Shakspere was aware-whether such be the significance (aside for the writer's mind) of this Epilogue or not-that no life is ever lived which does not need to receive as well as to render forgiveness. He knew that every energetic dealer with the world must seek a sincere and liberal pardon for many things. Forgiveness and freedom: these are keynotes of the play. When it was occupying the mind of Shakspere, he was passing from his service as artist to his service as English country gentleman. Had his mind been dwelling on the question of how he should employ his new freedom, and had he been enforcing upon himself the truth that the highest freedom lies in the bonds of duty?-DOWDEN, Shakspere-His Mind and Art. DRAMATIS PERSONE ALONSO, King of Naples SEBASTIAN, his brother PROSPERO, the right Duke of Milan ANTONIO, his brother, the usurping Duke of Milan FERDINAND, Son to the King of Naples GONZALO, an honest old Counselor ADRIAN, } Lords FRANCISCO, CALIBAN, a savage and deformed Slave STEPHANO, a drunken Butler Master of a Ship Boatswain Mariners SYNOPSIS By J. ELLIS BURDICK ACT I During a tempest there is wrecked on the shores of an enchanted island a vessel in which are Alonso, the king of Naples, Sebastian, his brother; Ferdinand, his son; Antonio, an usurping Duke of Milan, and their attendants. On this island dwell Prospero and his daughter Miranda, with a deformed slave, Caliban. During the storm Prospero unfolds to his daughter the story of his past life. He was the rightful Duke of Milan and had been deposed by his brother Antonio, aided by Alonso, king of Naples. They dared not kill him because of the love the people bore him, and so they set him and his little daughter adrift on the sea in an open boat. A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo, out of his charity provisioned the boat with some food and fresh water, and gave them some rich garments, linens, stuffs, and other necessaries. He also placed in the boat some books which he knew the Duke prized very highly. Twelve years had passed since they had landed on that island, years spent by Prospero in teaching his daughter and in studying his books of magic. At last Fortune had brought his enemies to the island's shore and he had raised the storm that he might get them in his power. Ariel, one of the spirits subject to him, enters and reports that all of the passengers have come safely to land, but are scattered in groups, and that the ship is safe, hidden in an odd angle of the isle. The king's son, Ferdinand, is separated from all his friends and is lured by Ariel's music into the presence of Prospero and Miranda. Im |