For centuries, critics have been deeply interested in the structure of The Tempest. They have observed that, unlike his typical style, Shakespeare adhered closely to the classical unities of time and space in this play. The entire storyline takes place on Prospero's tropical island, featuring characters such as Miranda, Ariel, and Caliban, and unfolds over just a few hours—roughly the same duration as a theatrical performance of The Tempest. The only other Shakespearean work that follows these classical unities is the early play Comedy of Errors. Scholars have long been puzzled by Shakespeare's rare adherence to these unities. Some theorists suggest he aimed to prove to critics like Ben Jonson his skill in crafting a tightly unified play. Others speculate that The Tempest could be an early work where Shakespeare followed the unities due to inexperience. Another interpretation sees the play as Shakespeare's theatrical farewell, presenting a perfectly ordered world as his ultimate vision. In this biographical perspective, Shakespeare is associated with Prospero, the magician and creator, reflecting on his own role as an artist shaping reality.

However, most scholars highlight Shakespeare's skillful use of order and structure in The Tempest to explore themes of reconciliation, restoration, and forgiveness. The play's strong use of symmetry, contrast, and parallelism in both characterization and structure reinforces the idea of order being achieved by the conclusion. Characters often comment on one another, such as Ariel on Caliban and Prospero on Gonzalo, and various scenes draw parallels that contribute to the overall harmony. Moreover, many commentators have emphasized Shakespeare's treatment of time in the play. Every scene is firmly anchored in the present, with past events only mentioned to shed light on the current moment, and the future depicted as a continuation of the present. This focus on the present highlights the theme of seizing the moment to promote forgiveness and reconciliation, showcasing Shakespeare's expert handling of order and structure.