Scene 1-
We are with the characters, Alonso (King of Naples), Sebastian (Alonso's Brother), Antonio (Prospero's Brother), Gonzalo, Adrian and Francisco (all Lords). They have all been washed up together on one of the beaches of the Island, thanks to Areil. Alonso is mourning the potential loss of his son, Ferdinand, and begins to regret marrying his daughter to an African prince in Tunis, as he fears he has lost her too.
Gonzalo trys to be optimistic about the situation but is thwarted by Sebastian and Antonio's mocking and jeering at him. Gonzalo and Adrian also discuss the positive aspects of the island and discuss how they would rule if they were King of the island (see Gonzalo Utopia).
Shakespeare presents Antonio and Sebastian as pessimistic and almost evil characters as they mock the other Lords, blame Alonso for the situation they are in - making him feel worse - and plot to kill the king and the other Lords for their own power gain whilst they sleep.
Fortunately, Ariel brings around Gonzalo before the two men can do anything. Antonio and Alonso quickly make up a lie that they heard beast in the forest which is why they have their swords drawn.
Scene 2-
The scene begins with Caliban carrying wood for Prospero, whilst cursing and moans about Prospero's torment of him using spirits and other magic. Whilst doing this he seen Trinculo, the court jester, on the horizon and believing this is another spirit sent by Prospero he tries to find somewhere to hide to avoid the torment. The only place being underneath the cloak he is carrying.
Another storm starts to brew and Trinculo, fearing for his life, wishes to find some cover. He spots the cloak and upon further inspection believes it to be a monster. Since this is the only cover around he takes a chance and hides from the storm underneath the cloak with Caliban.
The final character to appear in this scene is Stephano, who had been washed up ashore with all the liquor from the boat. He is drunk and happens upon the cloak with Caliban and Trinculo in it. He, like Trinculo, believes it to be a monster and since Caliban is crying out believing both men to be spirits, Stephano decides its a four legged monster with a fever and thinks he will give him some of the drink to help him.
Trinculo recogieses Stephano's voice and Stephano helps his get out from under the cloak. They celebrate before turning back to Caliban who now is begging for liquor believing Stephano to be a god. Caliban states to Stephano that he shall follow him and help him defeat Prospero so Stephano can be king of the island. The two men think their monster is a fool for being so easily won over but go along with the plan.
What is Prospero thinking?
Prospero has no time on stage in Act 2, yet he still has a presence. Not only through being briefly spoken about by Antonio and Caliban, but also through Ariel and from these we learn that he knows all that goes on the island.
As Ariel states 'My master through his art foresee's the danger' when he was up Alonso and Gonzalo who are about to be murdered.
This statement accentuates to the audience Prospero's power and it also makes the audience begin to understand that Prospero is in control of everyone's actions on the island. Including Trinculo, Stephano and Caliban's who are plotting to murder him.
Shakespeare doesn't completely specify how Prospero is able to do this. We know he is a very powerful magus, yet Ariel seems to be the one who acts out all his magical wants. Therefore does he have many spies/spirits on the island who communicate everything back to him.
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