The Immortal Gazette: The Tempest by William Shakespeare
The evening was full of chatter and the occasional crackle from the hearth as the immortals gathered together, leaning back in their seats, eyes twinkling with curiosity. Alice was once again seated comfortably, her feet up on a plush cushion, a gleam of mischief in her eyes. Loki, ever mysterious and unpredictable, hummed a tune under his breath, watching the flames dance.
Rumplestiltskin, on the other hand, seemed especially excited, his usual calm demeanor replaced by an air of theatricality. “Ah, I’ve got the perfect tale for tonight,” he began with a knowing smile.
Loki raised an eyebrow. “Please, tell me you’re not going to bring up another of those epic Shakespearean dramas,” he teased.
Alice smirked, “Don’t be such a snob, Loki. Shakespeare's good. Very good.”
Rumplestiltskin chuckled. “Oh, don’t worry. This one’s got everything you could want—magic, betrayal, power struggles, and more. The Tempest.”
Alice’s interest perked up, and she sat up a little straighter. “The Tempest? That one with the shipwreck, the island, and the crazy magic? I’m intrigued…”
Loki narrowed his eyes, intrigued now, leaning forward. “Oh, you have my attention. I’ve heard of it but never got around to diving into the full story.”
Rumplestiltskin rubbed his hands together, clearly ready to dive in. “The Tempest is one of Shakespeare’s later plays, a tale of vengeance, forgiveness, and the clash of human nature and the supernatural. It starts with the noble Duke Prospero, who’s been wronged and exiled to a mysterious island. He’s no ordinary duke, though—he’s a master of magic, having learned the craft during his time in power.”
“Of course, he’s magical,” Alice mused. “What’s a good Shakespearean tragedy without a little mystical flair?”
Rumplestiltskin nodded. “Exactly! And this is where the chaos begins. Prospero’s brother, Antonio, along with Alonso, the King of Naples, have conspired to overthrow him and seize his title. They set him adrift at sea, but of course, he survives. He ends up on this enchanted island, and with the help of his daughter Miranda and his spirit servant Ariel, he begins to craft a plan to get revenge.”
Loki let out a low whistle. “Ah, so it’s all about revenge. That’s always fun.”
Alice leaned in, clearly hooked. “What’s the catch? What’s so special about this island?”
Rumplestiltskin smiled, enjoying the suspense. “The island is alive with magic, filled with spirits and monsters. And then there’s Caliban, the native inhabitant of the island—half-human, half-monster, and completely resentful of Prospero’s rule. He’s got a few tricks up his sleeve, too.”
Loki grinned. “Ah, the chaos continues. Sounds like a blast. So, Prospero gets his revenge, right?”
“Not exactly,” Rumplestiltskin continued. “While Prospero certainly orchestrates a storm—the tempest itself—that shipwrecks everyone on the island, the magic takes some interesting twists. Ariel, the spirit, is sent to torment the castaways, while Caliban schemes in his own way. But it’s all a game to Prospero. He uses magic to manipulate people into making mistakes, to expose their wrongdoings, and to create the right conditions for his return to power.”
Alice raised an eyebrow. “So it’s all a setup for one big revenge fest?”
Rumplestiltskin shrugged. “Not quite. In the end, Prospero’s plan shifts. Rather than going through with his vengeance, he chooses to forgive. He releases Ariel, frees Caliban, and even extends a hand to his betraying brother, Antonio. In a way, the play is about letting go of past grievances and choosing mercy over revenge.”
Loki leaned back, thoughtful. “Now that’s an interesting turn of events. I mean, we’ve all been there, plotting some sort of epic revenge only to realize… maybe it’s not worth it after all.”
Alice let out a laugh. “You might be speaking from experience, Loki. But I have to admit, the idea of magical manipulation and vengeance leading to forgiveness is pretty deep for a Shakespearean play.”
Rumplestiltskin nodded solemnly. “It’s Shakespeare’s genius, really. The storm symbolizes not just the literal event, but the emotional turmoil Prospero feels—his need for control, the bitterness of betrayal, and ultimately, the power of letting go.”
Loki smiled slyly. “So, it’s not all about the drama and chaos after all? There’s some deep philosophy going on here.”
Rumplestiltskin chuckled darkly. “Ah, don’t be fooled, Loki. The chaos is there. But yes, there’s something deeper beneath it all. Forgiveness, of course, comes at a cost—Prospero must give up his magic and his power to return to Milan, his rightful place. Everything is lost for the sake of resolution.”
Alice’s eyes twinkled. “So, we’re left with nothing but an old duke, his daughter, and a bit of magic hanging in the air. Classic.”
Loki’s grin grew wider. “Seems like even in Shakespeare’s world, everything circles back to the good old balance between power and letting go. Quite the philosophical end to an explosive journey.”
Rumplestiltskin sighed dramatically. “If only all the world’s problems could be solved with a storm, a few magic tricks, and the choice to forgive…”
Alice shrugged. “Yeah, but where’s the fun in that?”
Loki leaned in, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. “I’m with Alice. A little chaos never hurt anyone. Forgiveness can wait until tomorrow.”
Rumplestiltskin glared at them both but couldn’t hide his smile. “I suppose you’re right. It’s the tempest that makes the story interesting, after all.”
And with that, the immortals settled back, the crackle of the fire the only sound as they thought of how even in the most dramatic tales, the human heart could still find its way toward redemption.
🖋️✨📜🖤
