ABSTRACT
As Shakespeare 's play, The Tempest, comes to its close, Prospero has been restored to his sovereignty as rightful Duke of Milan. He had been betrayed, rejected, cast out of the city and left to die on the high seas. But now on the island which he rules by his magic arts his enemies and his friends have met him again when they thought he was dead. They have recognized him, and he has forgiven those who had wronged him. As the curtain falls on the brightly-lit stage, he is about to set out on his future life, to return by sea to Milan and reign as lord in his own country. Shakespeare appears to have brought his play to a satisfactory end. We are preparing to clap and make a dash for the exit, to leave the theatre behind to catch a train or find the car. The play is over. Everyday life has begun again.
