The Tempest Garden

In The Tempest, plants and the natural environment play a significant role in shaping the play’s themes and characters. Prospero, the exiled duke, harnesses the island's magical flora to exert power and control over events, embodying the relationship between nature and magic. Caliban, the island's original inhabitant, highlights the richness of its vegetation, representing his connection to the land. The flourishing of love between Ferdinand and Miranda is also tied to natural imagery, signifying growth and renewal. Overall, the use of plant symbolism in The Tempest contrasts the wild beauty of nature with the characters' complex dynamics and transformative journeys.

Special thanks to longtime CSF supporter and thespian Chuck Wilcox for voicing the part of The Bard in our video series. Full production credits available here. All photos copyright Colorado Shakespeare Group except those in the public domain, published under Creative Commons (CC) licensing. For more information on (CC) artwork in this video, click here.

Enjoy this slideshow of the plants we have in our Tempest garden: