The Tempest by William Shakespeare

The Tempest is one of William Shakespeare's most intriguing works. Written around 1610–1611, it was first performed in 1611 at the court of King James I in London. The play stands out among Shakespeare's other works due to its fairy-tale atmosphere and symbolic content, weaving together themes of magic, love, revenge, and forgiveness.

The action of The Tempest takes place on a distant, mysterious island where Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, wields control over spirits and the forces of nature through magic. By chance, a ship carrying his former enemies is wrecked near the island, setting the stage for reckonings, conflicts, and, ultimately, reconciliation.

The first edition of The Tempest was published in 1623 as part of the famous First Folio, a collection of 36 Shakespearean plays compiled posthumously by the playwright’s friends, John Heminges and Henry Condell. This publication was crucial for preserving Shakespeare’s literary legacy. The First Folio became an invaluable source for saving The Tempest, whose manuscript has been lost.

In Poland, The Tempest appeared relatively late compared to other Shakespearean works. The first full Polish translation was published only in 1847, rendered by Józef Paszkowski, a renowned translator of English literature who also translated other Shakespearean plays. Paszkowski’s translation was notable for its careful preservation of rhythm, poetic language, and the spiritual depth of the original.

Paszkowski sought to convey not only the literal meaning of Shakespeare’s words but also the beauty and poetic quality of the language, a challenge given the subtle and symbolic nature of The Tempest. His translation was considered a standard for a long time.

Following Paszkowski, Leon Ulrich became another significant translator of Shakespeare in Poland. In 1875, Ulrich published his version of The Tempest. Like his predecessor, he placed great emphasis on the literary value of the original but also aimed to adapt the language to more contemporary norms, making it accessible to a broader audience.

In the 20th century, new translations of The Tempest emerged, attempting to modernize Shakespeare’s language to make his works more relatable to contemporary readers. Notable translations include those by Maciej Słomczyński (1961) and Stanisław Barańczak (1994). Both translators undertook the challenging task of faithfully rendering the original while maintaining its stylistic and poetic richness.

Maciej Słomczyński, regarded as one of Poland's most outstanding translators of English literature, earned widespread acclaim for his translation of Shakespeare, which is considered one of the most comprehensive and accurate. Stanisław Barańczak, on the other hand, took a more interpretative approach, aiming to capture the spirit of Shakespeare in a way that resonated with late 20th-century Polish readers.

The Tempest itself is considered one of Shakespeare’s most symbolic and enigmatic works. Many literary critics view it as a kind of farewell to the theater by the playwright. The character of Prospero, the magician and ruler of the island, is often interpreted as Shakespeare’s alter ego. Prospero’s ultimate renunciation of his power may symbolize Shakespeare’s retirement from professional life shortly after writing the play, as he returned to his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Translation: Leon Ulrich

Format: 8vo (150 x 240 mm), 132 pages

The book is typeset in Brunel Roman No. 2 and printed on Century Laid cotton paper. It features a full leather handmade binding with a slipcase and is richly illustrated.

EDITION IN POLISH.

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