The Tempest has not only generated many creative adaptations in drama, poetry, novels and films, but it has also proved a testing ground for virtually all the new literary theories available. This selection gives examples from cultural studies, feminism, psychological criticism, political readings, new historicism, postcolonialism, new geography and other approaches. The book will give students an understanding of the bases of contemporary criticism, and it will give insights into Shakespeare's text from a rich variety of perspectives.