The Tempest The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.]

About this book

The Tempest is presented here as the first play in the nine‑volume 1863 Cambridge edition of Shakespeare’s works. The opening scene drops the reader onto a storm‑tossed vessel, where a terse exchange between the Ship‑Master, Boatswain, and a chorus of mariners quickly escalates into frantic commands, curses, and desperate prayers as the ship threatens to founder. The cast list, ranging from the king of Naples and his brother to the deformed slave Caliban and the airy spirit Ariel, signals the breadth of characters who will later populate the isolated island, while the detailed editorial notes and line numbers assure a faithful rendering of the original text.

Shakespeare’s language is unmistakably Early Modern English, marked by its rhythmic verse, dense metaphor, and occasional prose interludes. The dialogue crackles with the period’s blend of formal courtly speech and earthy colloquialisms, creating a voice that feels both elevated and immediate. Readers who relish complex character studies, intricate political intrigue, and the interplay of magic and nature will find this edition a rewarding encounter with one of the era’s most layered dramas.