The play is nearly over, but a few final matters need to be untangled or explained to the audience (the denouement of the play). First, Ariel leads Caliban, Stefano, and Trinculo before his master. Stefano and Trinculo are still wearing the ragged garments that they had stolen from Prospero. Prospero tells Alonso and the others to note the stolen clothes (referred to as “badges” at line 270) that they are wearing as an indication of their dishonesty. Trinculo and Stefano, both very drunk, regret their actions. Alonso asks Trinculo how he came to be in such a “pickle” (line 284). The word is a pun: Alonso means (1) how did Trinculo end up being in such a sorry condition. But Trinculo’s response also suggests the second definition: (2) being pickled means being preserved in alcohol. Trinculo is both drunk and in a sorry condition. Stefano also complains of the cramps and sores (lines 289 and
291) as a result of the punishment they received at the hands of Ariel and the other spirits (in Act IV). Even Caliban has regrets and wonders about his foolhardy behavior in placing all of his hopes upon the inebriated Stefano: “What a thrice double-ass was I to take this drunkard for a god” (299-300). Despite being wronged, the benevolent Prospero plans to forgive the three drunk and foolish slackers. He orders the three of them to go to his cell and clean it up if they wish to receive his “pardon” (line 297). Caliban thus exits, followed by Stefano and Trinculo, to clean the magician’s quarters as Prospero had commanded them.
Prospero then invites King Alonso to his cell and promises to tell him the story about his life on the island. In the morning, Prospero adds, they can then set sail for Naples where they will witness the formal wedding between Ferdinand and Miranda.
Finally, Prospero gives his final command to Ariel: to calm the winds and seas for the voyage tomorrow. Then Ariel will no longer be a servant: he will be free.