Question: Why does Shakespeare introduce here the game of chess?
Answer: At the time this play was written chess was very popular in Naples, of which place Ferdinand was
a prince. With this fact Shakespeare was doubtless familiar. It probably suggested to him the use of
the game in this play.
How to cite this article:
Fleming, William H. How to Study Shakespeare. New York: Doubleday and Co., 1898. Shakespeare Online. 10 Aug. 2010. (date when you accessed the information) < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/thetempest/questionst/chesstempest.html >.