About this book
Tempest, John Dryden's energetic Restoration adaptation of Shakespeare's island play, transforms Prospero's lonely exile into a glittering stage of music, mischief, and romantic comedy. Dryden and William D'Avenant keep the core story—Prospero, the dispossessed Duke of Milan, his daughter Miranda, the spirit Ariel, and the resentful Caliban—while reshaping the action for Restoration tastes with added songs, dances, and theatrical spectacle.
Set against the imaginative backdrop of a magical island, the play heightens the romance and broadens the comic relief by introducing new figures—Dorinda, Prospero's additional daughter; Hippolito, an inexperienced young lover; and Sycorax, Caliban’s sister—alongside extra spirits and boisterous mariners. The result is a Restoration comedy that emphasizes romance, courtship rituals, and stage pageantry without losing the original’s themes of power, identity, and reconciliation.
Considered the definitive Tempest on the English stage until the 19th century, Dryden’s version offers a lively historical snapshot of Restoration drama and its appetite for music and spectacle. Ideal for listeners who enjoy classic theatre, Shakespearean adaptations, and rom-coms with a theatrical flair, this audiobook is perfect for anyone seeking a spirited, music-rich take on a beloved island tale.
