> More interesting is the historical context behind the play. It’s based loosely on events around the founding of Jamestown, Virginia. The character of Stephan

> More interesting is the historical context behind the play. It’s based loosely on events around the founding of Jamestown, Virginia. The character of Stephano, is likely based after one of my ancestors, Stephen Hopkins, who led a failed mutiny at Jamestown. Shakespeare wrote the Tempest after reading news and hearing about the Jamestown incident. Interestingly, after Jamestown Stephen Hopkins returned to England and then made the trip a second time, this time on the Mayflower, where he was at the first Thanksgiving.