William Shakespeare (baptised 26 April 1564 - died 23 April 1616) was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. The Tempest opens with a storm at sea, and ends like all these later dramas, with tranquility and peace upon earth. The tempest casts up Antonio, the usurping Duke of Milan and his friends on the island where his brother Prospero, the lawful duke, lives with daughter Miranda, who has never seen any men save her father. Prospero's wise art is such that the spirits of the air obey him, and delicate Ariel, by his orders, has raised the present storm. No one is drowned, but they are separated, in order to further Prospero's wise ends...