Act 1 of The Tempest runs 660 lines across 2 scenes, carrying about 29.0% of the play’s total dialogue with 12 named speakers. It’s longer than the play’s average act (456 lines).
Act opens (Scene 1, Master): “Good, speak to the mariners: fall to't, yarely,”
Act closes (Scene 2, Prospero): “Come, follow. Speak not for him.”
The 2 scenes of Act 1
Who speaks in Act 1
The leading voice is Prospero with 54% of Act 1’s dialogue (355 lines).
| Character | Lines in act | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Prospero ♂ | 355 | 53.8% |
| Miranda ♀ | 87 | 13.2% |
| Ariel ♀ | 70 | 10.6% |
| Ferdinand ♂ | 53 | 8.0% |
| Caliban ♂ | 30 | 4.5% |
| Boatswain ♂ | 28 | 4.2% |
| Gonzalo ♂ | 20 | 3.0% |
How Act 1 of The Tempest compares to other romances
| Play | Act 1 lines | Scenes |
|---|---|---|
| Cymbeline | 807 | 6 |
| The Tempest (this act) | 660 | 2 |
| Winter's Tale | 584 | 2 |
| Pericles, Prince of Tyre | 459 | 4 |
About Act 1 of The Tempest
How many lines are in Act 1 of The Tempest?
660 lines spread across 2 scenes.
Who dominates Act 1?
Prospero delivers 54% of the act’s dialogue (355 lines).