How does Shakespeare match time, place, and action in The Tempest?

Answer

How does Shakespeare match time, place, and action in The Tempest? (2017)

The idea of the three unities was first explained by Aristotle (384–322 B.C.) in his famous book “Poetics”. In “The Tempest” (1623), William Shakespeare (1564–1616) beautifully follows the three classical unities: time, place, and action. 

• Unity of Time – The whole story of the play should happen within one day (24 hours or less).
• Unity of Place – All the actions of the play should take place in one location.
• Unity of Action – The play should have only one main story or plot.

The play, “The Tempest,” shows perfect dramatic balance. All events happen in one day, on one island, and around one main story. Prospero loses and recovers his dukedom. This unity gives the play strength, harmony, and natural rhythm from beginning to end.

Unity of Time: In “The Tempest”, Shakespeare observes the unity of time very strictly. The entire play takes place within a few hours, from morning to evening. The storm begins early in the day, and by the end of the same day, all misunderstandings are cleared. Prospero regains his dukedom, Miranda and Ferdinand fall in love, and peace returns. When Prospero explains his plan to Ariel, he reminds him that all actions must be done before nightfall. Prospero says,

“At least two glasses; the time ’twixt six and now

Must by us both be spent most preciously.”

This shows that everything happens in a short, real-time frame. The unity of time gives the play a feeling of speed, tension, and completion. Many other Shakespeare plays cover months or years. However, “The Tempest” finishes in one continuous flow of events.

Unity of Place: Shakespeare also observes the unity of place. The entire story happens on a single, small island, where Prospero, Miranda, Ariel, and Caliban live. There are no changes of setting, no movement to Milan, Naples, or the sea.