Miranda responds to everything with overwhelming, unfiltered feeling — she can't manage her own pity, her own joy, her own love. Watch for how her speeches keep collapsing into emotional fragments: 'O, the heavens!' 'Alack, for mercy!' 'I am a fool / To weep at what I am glad of.'
If by your art, my dearest father, you have
Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them.
The sky, it seems, would pour down stinking pitch,
But that the sea, mounting to th’ welkin’s cheek,
Dashes the fire out. O! I have suffered
With those that I saw suffer! A brave vessel,
Who had, no doubt, some noble creature in her,
Dash’d all to pieces. O, the cry did knock
Against my very heart. Poor souls, they perish’d.
Had I been any god of power, I would
Have sunk the sea within the earth, or ere
It should the good ship so have swallow’d and
The fraughting souls within her.
If by your are, my dearest father, you have Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them. The sky, it seems, would pour down stinking pitch, But that the sea, mounting to th’ sky’s cheek, Dashes the fire out. O! I have suffered With those that I saw suffer! A brave vessel, Who had, no doubt, some noble creature in her, Dash’d all to pieces. O, the cry did knock Against my very heart. Poor souls, they perish’d. Had I been any god of power, I would Have sunk the sea within the earth, or before It should the good ship so have swallow’d and The freight-carrying souls within her.
If by your are, my dearest father, you have Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them. The sky, it seems, would pour down stinking pitch, But that the sea, mounting to th’ sky’s cheek, Dashes the fire out. O! I have suffered With those that I saw suffer! A brave vessel, Who had, no doubt, some noble creature in her, Dash’d all to pieces. O, the cry did knock Against my very heart. Poor souls, they perish’d. Had I been any god of power, I would Have sunk the sea within the earth, or before It should the good ship so have swallow’d and The freight-carrying souls within her.
if by your art, my dearest father, you have put the wild waters in this roar, allay them. the sky, it seems, would pour
Prospero speaks in imperatives — 'mark me,' 'attend,' 'obey,' 'sit still' — a man so accustomed to commanding spirits that he can't stop directing humans. Watch for how often he interrupts himself to demand attention, even from a captive audience of one.
Be collected:
No more amazement: tell your piteous heart
There’s no harm done.
Be collected: No more amazement: tell your piteous heart There’s no harm done.
Be collected: No more amazement: tell your piteous heart There’s no harm done.
be collected: no more amazement: tell your piteous heart there’s no harm done.
O, woe the day!
O, woe the day!
O, woe the day!
o, woe the day!
No harm.
I have done nothing but in care of thee,
Of thee, my dear one, thee, my daughter, who
Art ignorant of what thou art, nought knowing
Of whence I am, nor that I am more better
Than Prospero, master of a full poor cell,
And thy no greater father.
No harm. I have done nothing but in care of you, Of you, my dear one, you, my daughter, who are ignorant of what you are, nought knowing Of whence I am, nor that I am more better Than Prospero, master of a full poor cell, And your no greater father.
No harm. I have done nothing but in care of you, Of you, my dear one, you, my daughter, who are ignorant of what you are, nought knowing Of whence I am, nor that I am more better Than Prospero, master of a full poor cell, And your no greater father.
no harm. i have done nothing but in care of thee, of thee, my dear one, thee, my daughter, who art ignorant of what thou
More to know
Did never meddle with my thoughts.
More to know Did never meddle with my thoughts.
More to know Did never meddle with my thoughts.
more to know did never meddle with my thoughts.
’Tis time
I should inform thee farther. Lend thy hand,
And pluck my magic garment from me.—So:
’Tis time I should inform you farther. Lend your hand, And pluck my magic garment from me.—So:
’Tis time I should inform you farther. Lend your hand, And pluck my magic garment from me.—So:
’tis time i should inform thee farther. lend thy hand, and pluck my magic garment from me.—so:
You have often
Begun to tell me what I am, but stopp’d,
And left me to a bootless inquisition,
Concluding “Stay; not yet.”
You have often Begun to tell me what I am, but stopp’d, And left me to a bootless inquisition, Concluding “Stay; not yet.”
You have often Begun to tell me what I am, but stopp’d, And left me to a bootless inquisition, Concluding “Stay; not yet.”
you have often begun to tell me what i am, but stopp’d, and left me to a bootless inquisition, concluding “stay; not yet
The hour’s now come,
The very minute bids thee ope thine ear;
Obey, and be attentive. Canst thou remember
A time before we came unto this cell?
I do not think thou canst, for then thou wast not
Out three years old.
The hour’s now come, The very minute bids you ope yours ear; Obey, and be attentive. Canst you remember A time before we came unto this cell? I do not think you canst, for then you were not Out three years old.
The hour’s now come, The very minute bids you ope yours ear; Obey, and be attentive. Canst you remember A time before we came unto this cell? I do not think you canst, for then you were not Out three years old.
the hour’s now come, the very minute bids thee ope thine ear; obey, and be attentive. canst thou remember a time before
Certainly, sir, I can.
Certainly, sir, I can.
Certainly, sir, I can.
certainly, sir, i can.
By what? By any other house, or person?
Of anything the image, tell me, that
Hath kept with thy remembrance.
By what? By any other house, or person? Of anything the image, tell me, that has kept with your remembrance.
By what? By any other house, or person? Of anything the image, tell me, that has kept with your remembrance.
by what? by any other house, or person? of anything the image, tell me, that hath kept with thy remembrance.
’Tis far off,
And rather like a dream than an assurance
That my remembrance warrants. Had I not
Four or five women once that tended me?
’Tis far off, And rather like a dream than an assurance That my remembrance warrants. Had I not Four or five women once that tended me?
’Tis far off, And rather like a dream than an assurance That my remembrance warrants. Had I not Four or five women once that tended me?
’tis far off, and rather like a dream than an assurance that my remembrance warrants. had i not four or five women once
Thou hadst, and more, Miranda. But how is it
That this lives in thy mind? What seest thou else
In the dark backward and abysm of time?
If thou rememb’rest aught ere thou cam’st here,
How thou cam’st here, thou mayst.
you hadst, and more, Miranda. But how is it That this lives in your mind? What seest you else In the dark backward and abysm of time? If you rememb’rest aught before you cam’st here, How you cam’st here, you mayst.
you hadst, and more, Miranda. But how is it That this lives in your mind? What seest you else In the dark backward and abysm of time? If you rememb’rest aught before you cam’st here, How you cam’st here, you mayst.
thou hadst, and more, miranda. but how is it that this lives in thy mind? what seest thou else in the dark backward and
But that I do not.
But that I do not.
But that I do not.
but that i do not.
Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve year since,
Thy father was the Duke of Milan, and
A prince of power.
Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve year since, your father was the Duke of Milan, and A prince of power.
Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve year since, your father was the Duke of Milan, and A prince of power.
twelve year since, miranda, twelve year since, thy father was the duke of milan, and a prince of power.
Sir, are not you my father?
Sir, are not you my father?
Sir, are not you my father?
sir, are not you my father?
Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and
She said thou wast my daughter. And thy father
Was Duke of Milan, and his only heir
And princess, no worse issued.
your mother was a piece of virtue, and She said you were my daughter. And your father Was Duke of Milan, and his only heir And princess, no worse issued.
your mother was a piece of virtue, and She said you were my daughter. And your father Was Duke of Milan, and his only heir And princess, no worse issued.
thy mother was a piece of virtue, and she said thou wast my daughter. and thy father was duke of milan, and his only hei
O, the heavens!
What foul play had we that we came from thence?
Or blessed was’t we did?
O, the heavens! What foul play had we that we came from from there? Or blessed was’t we did?
O, the heavens! What foul play had we that we came from from there? Or blessed was’t we did?
o, the heavens! what foul play had we that we came from thence? or blessed was’t we did?
Both, both, my girl.
By foul play, as thou say’st, were we heav’d thence;
But blessedly holp hither.
Both, both, my girl. By foul play, as you say’st, were we heav’d from there; But blessedly holp here.
Both, both, my girl. By foul play, as you say’st, were we heav’d from there; But blessedly holp here.
both, both, my girl. by foul play, as thou say’st, were we heav’d thence; but blessedly holp hither.
O, my heart bleeds
To think o’ th’ teen that I have turn’d you to,
Which is from my remembrance. Please you, farther.
O, my heart bleeds To think o’ th’ teen that I have turn’d you to, Which is from my remembrance. Please you, farther.
O, my heart bleeds To think o’ th’ teen that I have turn’d you to, Which is from my remembrance. Please you, farther.
o, my heart bleeds to think o’ th’ teen that i have turn’d you to, which is from my remembrance. please you, farther.
My brother and thy uncle, call’d Antonio—
I pray thee, mark me, that a brother should
Be so perfidious!—he whom next thyself
Of all the world I lov’d, and to him put
The manage of my state; as at that time
Through all the signories it was the first,
And Prospero the prime duke, being so reputed
In dignity, and for the liberal arts,
Without a parallel: those being all my study,
The government I cast upon my brother,
And to my state grew stranger, being transported
And rapt in secret studies. Thy false uncle—
Dost thou attend me?
My brother and your uncle, call’d Antonio— I pray you, mark me, that a brother should Be so perfidious!—he whom next thyself Of all the world I lov’d, and to him put The manage of my state; as at that time Through all the signories it was the first, And Prospero the prime duke, being so reputed In dignity, and for the liberal arts, Without a parallel: those being all my study, The government I cast upon my brother, And to my state grew stranger, being transported And rapt in secret studies. your false uncle— Dost you attend me?
My brother and your uncle, call’d Antonio— I pray you, mark me, that a brother should Be so perfidious!—he whom next thyself Of all the world I lov’d, and to him put The manage of my state; as at that time Through all the signories it was the first, And Prospero the prime duke, being so reputed In dignity, and for the liberal arts, Without a parallel: those being all my study, The government I cast upon my brother, And to my state grew stranger, being transported And rapt in secret studies. your false uncle— Dost you attend me?
my brother and thy uncle, call’d antonio— i pray thee, mark me, that a brother should be so perfidious!—he whom next thy
Sir, most heedfully.
Sir, most heedfully.
Sir, most heedfully.
sir, most heedfully.
Being once perfected how to grant suits,
How to deny them, who t’ advance, and who
To trash for over-topping, new created
The creatures that were mine, I say, or chang’d ’em,
Or else new form’d ’em: having both the key
Of officer and office, set all hearts i’ th’ state
To what tune pleas’d his ear: that now he was
The ivy which had hid my princely trunk,
And suck’d my verdure out on ’t. Thou attend’st not.
Being once perfected how to grant suits, How to deny them, who t’ advance, and who To trash for over-topping, new created The creatures that were mine, I say, or chang’d ’em, Or else new form’d ’em: having both the key Of officer and office, set all hearts i’ th’ state To what tune pleas’d his ear: that now he was The ivy which had hid my princely trunk, And suck’d my verdure out on ’t. you attend’st not.
Being once perfected how to grant suits, How to deny them, who t’ advance, and who To trash for over-topping, new created The creatures that were mine, I say, or chang’d ’em, Or else new form’d ’em: having both the key Of officer and office, set all hearts i’ th’ state To what tune pleas’d his ear: that now he was The ivy which had hid my princely trunk, And suck’d my verdure out on ’t. you attend’st not.
being once perfected how to grant suits, how to deny them, who t’ advance, and who to trash for over-topping, new create
O, good sir! I do.
O, good sir! I do.
O, good sir! I do.
o, good sir! i do.
I pray thee, mark me.
I, thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated
To closeness and the bettering of my mind
With that which, but by being so retir’d,
O’er-priz’d all popular rate, in my false brother
Awak’d an evil nature; and my trust,
Like a good parent, did beget of him
A falsehood in its contrary as great
As my trust was; which had indeed no limit,
A confidence sans bound. He being thus lorded,
Not only with what my revenue yielded,
But what my power might else exact, like one
Who having into truth, by telling of it,
Made such a sinner of his memory,
To credit his own lie, he did believe
He was indeed the Duke; out o’ the substitution,
And executing th’ outward face of royalty,
With all prerogative. Hence his ambition growing—
Dost thou hear?
I pray you, mark me. I, thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated To closeness and the bettering of my mind With that which, but by being so retir’d, O’er-priz’d all popular rate, in my false brother Awak’d an evil nature; and my trust, Like a good parent, did beget of him A falsehood in its contrary as great As my trust was; which had indeed no limit, A confidence sans bound. He being thus lorded, Not only with what my revenue yielded, But what my power might else exact, like one Who having into truth, by telling of it, Made such a sinner of his memory, To credit his own lie, he did believe He was indeed the Duke; out o’ the substitution, And executing th’ outward face of royalty, With all prerogative. Hence his ambition growing— Dost you hear?
I pray you, mark me. I, thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated To closeness and the bettering of my mind With that which, but by being so retir’d, O’er-priz’d all popular rate, in my false brother Awak’d an evil nature; and my trust, Like a good parent, did beget of him A falsehood in its contrary as great As my trust was; which had indeed no limit, A confidence sans bound. He being thus lorded, Not only with what my revenue yielded, But what my power might else exact, like one Who having into truth, by telling of it, Made such a sinner of his memory, To credit his own lie, he did believe He was indeed the Duke; out o’ the substitution, And executing th’ outward face of royalty, With all prerogative. Hence his ambition growing— Dost you hear?
i pray thee, mark me. i, thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated to closeness and the bettering of my mind with that
Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.
Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.
Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.
your tale, sir, would cure deafness.
To have no screen between this part he play’d
And him he play’d it for, he needs will be
Absolute Milan. Me, poor man, my library
Was dukedom large enough: of temporal royalties
He thinks me now incapable; confederates,
So dry he was for sway, wi’ th’ King of Naples
To give him annual tribute, do him homage,
Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend
The dukedom, yet unbow’d—alas, poor Milan!—
To most ignoble stooping.
To have no screen between this part he play’d And him he play’d it for, he needs will be Absolute Milan. Me, poor man, my library Was dukedom large enough: of temporal royalties He thinks me now incapable; confederates, So dry he was for sway, wi’ th’ King of Naples To give him annual tribute, do him homage, Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend The dukedom, yet unbow’d—alas, poor Milan!— To most ignoble stooping.
To have no screen between this part he play’d And him he play’d it for, he needs will be Absolute Milan. Me, poor man, my library Was dukedom large enough: of temporal royalties He thinks me now incapable; confederates, So dry he was for sway, wi’ th’ King of Naples To give him annual tribute, do him homage, Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend The dukedom, yet unbow’d—alas, poor Milan!— To most ignoble stooping.
to have no screen between this part he play’d and him he play’d it for, he needs will be absolute milan. me, poor man, m
O the heavens!
O the heavens!
O the heavens!
o the heavens!
Mark his condition, and the event; then tell me
If this might be a brother.
Mark his condition, and the event; then tell me If this might be a brother.
Mark his condition, and the event; then tell me If this might be a brother.
mark his condition, and the event; then tell me if this might be a brother.
For most of its history The Tempest was read as a play about magic, power, and forgiveness. Then in the 1950s and 60s, writers from colonized nations — Aimé Césaire in Martinique, Octave Mannoni in Madagascar — began reading it differently. Caliban was not the monster but the indigenous inhabitant. Prospero was not the wise magician but the colonial administrator who arrives, 'civilizes,' and subjugates. This reading gained traction precisely because Shakespeare gives Caliban the unanswerable line: 'This island's mine.' Prospero never disproves it. He simply replies with a crime report — the attempted rape of Miranda — which is real, but which Caliban himself seems to confirm without shame. The play holds both truths simultaneously: Caliban did what Prospero says, and the island was Caliban's. Shakespeare probably wasn't writing a tract about colonialism — he was writing about a duke who'd lost his job — but he wrote something capacious enough to contain the colonial experience too. Keep watching for how the play handles Caliban's final scene.
I should sin
To think but nobly of my grandmother:
Good wombs have borne bad sons.
I should sin To think but nobly of my grandmother: Good wombs have borne bad sons.
I should sin To think but nobly of my grandmother: Good wombs have borne bad sons.
i should sin to think but nobly of my grandmother: good wombs have borne bad sons.
Now the condition.
This King of Naples, being an enemy
To me inveterate, hearkens my brother’s suit;
Which was, that he, in lieu o’ th’ premises
Of homage and I know not how much tribute,
Should presently extirpate me and mine
Out of the dukedom, and confer fair Milan,
With all the honours on my brother: whereon,
A treacherous army levied, one midnight
Fated to th’ purpose, did Antonio open
The gates of Milan; and, i’ th’ dead of darkness,
The ministers for th’ purpose hurried thence
Me and thy crying self.
Now the condition. This King of Naples, being an enemy To me inveterate, hearkens my brother’s suit; Which was, that he, in lieu o’ th’ premises Of homage and I know not how much tribute, Should presently extirpate me and mine Out of the dukedom, and confer fair Milan, With all the honours on my brother: whereon, A treacherous army levied, one midnight Fated to th’ purpose, did Antonio open The gates of Milan; and, i’ th’ dead of darkness, The ministers for th’ purpose hurried from there Me and your crying self.
Now the condition. This King of Naples, being an enemy To me inveterate, hearkens my brother’s suit; Which was, that he, in lieu o’ th’ premises Of homage and I know not how much tribute, Should presently extirpate me and mine Out of the dukedom, and confer fair Milan, With all the honours on my brother: whereon, A treacherous army levied, one midnight Fated to th’ purpose, did Antonio open The gates of Milan; and, i’ th’ dead of darkness, The ministers for th’ purpose hurried from there Me and your crying self.
now the condition. this king of naples, being an enemy to me inveterate, hearkens my brother’s suit; which was, that he,
Alack, for pity!
I, not rememb’ring how I cried out then,
Will cry it o’er again: it is a hint
That wrings mine eyes to ’t.
Alack, for pity! I, not rememb’ring how I cried out then, Will cry it o’er again: it is a hint That wrings mine eyes to ’t.
Alack, for pity! I, not rememb’ring how I cried out then, Will cry it o’er again: it is a hint That wrings mine eyes to ’t.
alack, for pity! i, not rememb’ring how i cried out then, will cry it o’er again: it is a hint that wrings mine eyes to
Hear a little further,
And then I’ll bring thee to the present business
Which now’s upon us; without the which this story
Were most impertinent.
Hear a little further, And then I’ll bring you to the present business Which now’s upon us; without the which this story Were most impertinent.
Hear a little further, And then I’ll bring you to the present business Which now’s upon us; without the which this story Were most impertinent.
hear a little further, and then i’ll bring thee to the present business which now’s upon us; without the which this stor
Wherefore did they not
That hour destroy us?
Wherefore did they not That hour destroy us?
Wherefore did they not That hour destroy us?
wherefore did they not that hour destroy us?
Well demanded, wench:
My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not,
So dear the love my people bore me, nor set
A mark so bloody on the business; but
With colours fairer painted their foul ends.
In few, they hurried us aboard a bark,
Bore us some leagues to sea, where they prepared
A rotten carcass of a butt, not rigg’d,
Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats
Instinctively have quit it. There they hoist us,
To cry to th’ sea, that roar’d to us; to sigh
To th’ winds, whose pity, sighing back again,
Did us but loving wrong.
Well demanded, woman: My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not, So dear the love my people bore me, nor set A mark so bloody on the business; but With colours fairer painted their foul ends. In few, they hurried us aboard a bark, Bore us some leagues to sea, where they prepared A rotten carcass of a butt, not rigg’d, Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats Instinctively have quit it. There they hoist us, To cry to th’ sea, that roar’d to us; to sigh To th’ winds, whose pity, sighing back again, Did us but loving wrong.
Well demanded, woman: My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not, So dear the love my people bore me, nor set A mark so bloody on the business; but With colours fairer painted their foul ends. In few, they hurried us aboard a bark, Bore us some leagues to sea, where they prepared A rotten carcass of a butt, not rigg’d, Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats Instinctively have quit it. There they hoist us, To cry to th’ sea, that roar’d to us; to sigh To th’ winds, whose pity, sighing back again, Did us but loving wrong.
well demanded, wench: my tale provokes that question. dear, they durst not, so dear the love my people bore me, nor set
Alack, what trouble
Was I then to you!
Alack, what trouble Was I then to you!
Alack, what trouble Was I then to you!
alack, what trouble was i then to you!
O, a cherubin
Thou wast that did preserve me. Thou didst smile,
Infused with a fortitude from heaven,
When I have deck’d the sea with drops full salt,
Under my burden groan’d: which rais’d in me
An undergoing stomach, to bear up
Against what should ensue.
O, a cherubin you were that did preserve me. you didst smile, Infused with a fortitude from heaven, When I have deck’d the sea with drops full salt, Under my burden groan’d: which rais’d in me An undergoing stomach, to bear up Against what should ensue.
O, a cherubin you were that did preserve me. you didst smile, Infused with a fortitude from heaven, When I have deck’d the sea with drops full salt, Under my burden groan’d: which rais’d in me An undergoing stomach, to bear up Against what should ensue.
o, a cherubin thou wast that did preserve me. thou didst smile, infused with a fortitude from heaven, when i have deck’d
How came we ashore?
How came we ashore?
How came we ashore?
how came we ashore?
By Providence divine.
Some food we had and some fresh water that
A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo,
Out of his charity, who being then appointed
Master of this design, did give us, with
Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and necessaries,
Which since have steaded much: so, of his gentleness,
Knowing I lov’d my books, he furnish’d me
From mine own library with volumes that
I prize above my dukedom.
By Providence divine. Some food we had and some fresh water that A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo, Out of his charity, who being then appointed Master of this design, did give us, with Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and necessaries, Which since have steaded much: so, of his gentleness, Knowing I lov’d my books, he furnish’d me From mine own library with volumes that I prize above my dukedom.
By Providence divine. Some food we had and some fresh water that A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo, Out of his charity, who being then appointed Master of this design, did give us, with Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and necessaries, Which since have steaded much: so, of his gentleness, Knowing I lov’d my books, he furnish’d me From mine own library with volumes that I prize above my dukedom.
by providence divine. some food we had and some fresh water that a noble neapolitan, gonzalo, out of his charity, who be
Would I might
But ever see that man!
would I might But ever see that man!
would I might But ever see that man!
would i might but ever see that man!
Now I arise.
Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow.
Here in this island we arriv’d; and here
Have I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit
Than other princes can, that have more time
For vainer hours, and tutors not so careful.
Now I arise. Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. Here in this island we arriv’d; and here Have I, your schoolmaster, made you more profit Than other princes can, that have more time For vainer hours, and tutors not so careful.
Now I arise. Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. Here in this island we arriv’d; and here Have I, your schoolmaster, made you more profit Than other princes can, that have more time For vainer hours, and tutors not so careful.
now i arise. sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. here in this island we arriv’d; and here have i, thy school
Heavens thank you for ’t! And now, I pray you, sir,
For still ’tis beating in my mind, your reason
For raising this sea-storm?
Heavens thank you for ’t! And now, I pray you, sir, For still ’tis beating in my mind, your reason For raising this sea-storm?
Heavens thank you for ’t! And now, I pray you, sir, For still ’tis beating in my mind, your reason For raising this sea-storm?
heavens thank you for ’t! and now, i pray you, sir, for still ’tis beating in my mind, your reason for raising this sea-
Know thus far forth.
By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune,
Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies
Brought to this shore; and by my prescience
I find my zenith doth depend upon
A most auspicious star, whose influence
If now I court not but omit, my fortunes
Will ever after droop. Here cease more questions;
Thou art inclin’d to sleep; ’tis a good dulness,
And give it way. I know thou canst not choose.
Know thus far forth. By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune, Now my dear lady, has mine enemies Brought to this shore; and by my prescience I find my zenith does depend upon A most auspicious star, whose influence If now I court not but omit, my fortunes Will ever after droop. Here cease more questions; you are inclin’d to sleep; ’tis a good dulness, And give it way. I know you canst not choose.
Know thus far forth. By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune, Now my dear lady, has mine enemies Brought to this shore; and by my prescience I find my zenith does depend upon A most auspicious star, whose influence If now I court not but omit, my fortunes Will ever after droop. Here cease more questions; you are inclin’d to sleep; ’tis a good dulness, And give it way. I know you canst not choose.
know thus far forth. by accident most strange, bountiful fortune, now my dear lady, hath mine enemies brought to this sh
Ariel is the perfect servant and the perfect prisoner: all enthusiasm on the surface, all chafing underneath. Watch for how quickly joy at completing a task tips into 'Is there more toil?' — the spirit is never entirely free of its own longing for freedom.
All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come
To answer thy best pleasure; be’t to fly,
To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride
On the curl’d clouds, to thy strong bidding task
Ariel and all his quality.
All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come To answer your best pleasure; be’t to fly, To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride On the curl’d clouds, to your strong bidding task Ariel and all his quality.
All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come To answer your best pleasure; be’t to fly, To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride On the curl’d clouds, to your strong bidding task Ariel and all his quality.
all hail, great master! grave sir, hail! i come to answer thy best pleasure; be’t to fly, to swim, to dive into the fire
Hast thou, spirit,
Perform’d to point the tempest that I bade thee?
Hast you, spirit, Perform’d to point the tempest that I bade you?
Hast you, spirit, Perform’d to point the tempest that I bade you?
hast thou, spirit, perform’d to point the tempest that i bade thee?
To every article.
I boarded the King’s ship; now on the beak,
Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin,
I flam’d amazement; sometime I’d divide,
And burn in many places; on the topmast,
The yards, and bowsprit, would I flame distinctly,
Then meet and join. Jove’s lightning, the precursors
O’ th’ dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary
And sight-outrunning were not: the fire and cracks
Of sulphurous roaring the most mighty Neptune
Seem to besiege and make his bold waves tremble,
Yea, his dread trident shake.
To every article. I boarded the King’s ship; now on the beak, Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin, I flam’d amazement; sometime I’d divide, And burn in many places; on the topmast, The yards, and bowsprit, would I flame distinctly, Then meet and join. Jove’s lightning, the precursors O’ th’ dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary And sight-outrunning were not: the fire and cracks Of sulphurous roaring the most mighty Neptune Seem to besiege and make his bold waves tremble, Yea, his dread trident shake.
To every article. I boarded the King’s ship; now on the beak, Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin, I flam’d amazement; sometime I’d divide, And burn in many places; on the topmast, The yards, and bowsprit, would I flame distinctly, Then meet and join. Jove’s lightning, the precursors O’ th’ dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary And sight-outrunning were not: the fire and cracks Of sulphurous roaring the most mighty Neptune Seem to besiege and make his bold waves tremble, Yea, his dread trident shake.
to every article. i boarded the king’s ship; now on the beak, now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin, i flam’d amaze
My brave spirit!
Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil
Would not infect his reason?
My brave spirit! Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil would not infect his reason?
My brave spirit! Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil would not infect his reason?
my brave spirit! who was so firm, so constant, that this coil would not infect his reason?
Not a soul
But felt a fever of the mad, and play’d
Some tricks of desperation. All but mariners
Plunged in the foaming brine and quit the vessel,
Then all afire with me: the King’s son, Ferdinand,
With hair up-staring—then like reeds, not hair—
Was the first man that leapt; cried “Hell is empty,
And all the devils are here.”
Not a soul But felt a fever of the mad, and play’d Some tricks of desperation. All but mariners Plunged in the foaming brine and quit the vessel, Then all afire with me: the King’s son, Ferdinand, With hair up-staring—then like reeds, not hair— Was the first man that leapt; cried “Hell is empty, And all the devils are here.”
Not a soul But felt a fever of the mad, and play’d Some tricks of desperation. All but mariners Plunged in the foaming brine and quit the vessel, Then all afire with me: the King’s son, Ferdinand, With hair up-staring—then like reeds, not hair— Was the first man that leapt; cried “Hell is empty, And all the devils are here.”
not a soul but felt a fever of the mad, and play’d some tricks of desperation. all but mariners plunged in the foaming b
Why, that’s my spirit!
But was not this nigh shore?
Why, that’s my spirit! But was not this nigh shore?
Why, that’s my spirit! But was not this nigh shore?
why, that’s my spirit! but was not this nigh shore?
Close by, my master.
Close by, my master.
Close by, my master.
close by, my master.
But are they, Ariel, safe?
But are they, Ariel, safe?
But are they, Ariel, safe?
but are they, ariel, safe?
Not a hair perish’d;
On their sustaining garments not a blemish,
But fresher than before: and, as thou bad’st me,
In troops I have dispers’d them ’bout the isle.
The King’s son have I landed by himself,
Whom I left cooling of the air with sighs
In an odd angle of the isle, and sitting,
His arms in this sad knot.
Not a hair perish’d; On their sustaining garments not a blemish, But fresher than before: and, as you bad’st me, In troops I have dispers’d them ’bout the isle. The King’s son have I landed by himself, Whom I left cooling of the air with sighs In an odd angle of the isle, and sitting, His arms in this sad knot.
Not a hair perish’d; On their sustaining garments not a blemish, But fresher than before: and, as you bad’st me, In troops I have dispers’d them ’bout the isle. The King’s son have I landed by himself, Whom I left cooling of the air with sighs In an odd angle of the isle, and sitting, His arms in this sad knot.
not a hair perish’d; on their sustaining garments not a blemish, but fresher than before: and, as thou bad’st me, in tro
Of the King’s ship
The mariners, say how thou hast dispos’d,
And all the rest o’ th’ fleet?
Of the King’s ship The mariners, say how you hast dispos’d, And all the rest o’ th’ fleet?
Of the King’s ship The mariners, say how you hast dispos’d, And all the rest o’ th’ fleet?
of the king’s ship the mariners, say how thou hast dispos’d, and all the rest o’ th’ fleet?
Safely in harbour
Is the King’s ship; in the deep nook, where once
Thou call’dst me up at midnight to fetch dew
From the still-vex’d Bermoothes; there she’s hid:
The mariners all under hatches stowed;
Who, with a charm join’d to their suff’red labour,
I have left asleep: and for the rest o’ th’ fleet,
Which I dispers’d, they all have met again,
And are upon the Mediterranean flote
Bound sadly home for Naples,
Supposing that they saw the King’s ship wrack’d,
And his great person perish.
Safely in harbour Is the King’s ship; in the deep nook, where once you call’dst me up at midnight to fetch dew From the still-vex’d Bermoothes; there she’s hid: The mariners all under hatches stowed; Who, with a charm join’d to their suff’red labour, I have left asleep: and for the rest o’ th’ fleet, Which I dispers’d, they all have met again, And are upon the Mediterranean flote Bound sadly home for Naples, Supposing that they saw the King’s ship wrack’d, And his great person perish.
Safely in harbour Is the King’s ship; in the deep nook, where once you call’dst me up at midnight to fetch dew From the still-vex’d Bermoothes; there she’s hid: The mariners all under hatches stowed; Who, with a charm join’d to their suff’red labour, I have left asleep: and for the rest o’ th’ fleet, Which I dispers’d, they all have met again, And are upon the Mediterranean flote Bound sadly home for Naples, Supposing that they saw the King’s ship wrack’d, And his great person perish.
safely in harbour is the king’s ship; in the deep nook, where once thou call’dst me up at midnight to fetch dew from the
Ariel, thy charge
Exactly is perform’d; but there’s more work.
What is the time o’ th’ day?
Ariel, your charge Exactly is perform’d; but there’s more work. What is the time o’ th’ day?
Ariel, your charge Exactly is perform’d; but there’s more work. What is the time o’ th’ day?
ariel, thy charge exactly is perform’d; but there’s more work. what is the time o’ th’ day?
Past the mid season.
Past the mid season.
Past the mid season.
past the mid season.
At least two glasses. The time ’twixt six and now
Must by us both be spent most preciously.
At least two glasses. The time ’twixt six and now Must by us both be spent most preciously.
At least two glasses. The time ’twixt six and now Must by us both be spent most preciously.
at least two glasses. the time ’twixt six and now must by us both be spent most preciously.
Is there more toil? Since thou dost give me pains,
Let me remember thee what thou hast promis’d,
Which is not yet perform’d me.
Is there more toil? Since you dost give me pains, Let me remember you what you hast promis’d, Which is not yet perform’d me.
Is there more toil? Since you dost give me pains, Let me remember you what you hast promis’d, Which is not yet perform’d me.
is there more toil? since thou dost give me pains, let me remember thee what thou hast promis’d, which is not yet perfor
How now! moody?
What is’t thou canst demand?
How now! moody? What is’t you canst demand?
How now! moody? What is’t you canst demand?
how now! moody? what is’t thou canst demand?
My liberty.
My liberty.
My liberty.
my liberty.
Before the time be out? No more!
Before the time be out? No more!
Before the time be out? No more!
before the time be out? no more!
I prithee,
Remember I have done thee worthy service;
Told thee no lies, made no mistakings, serv’d
Without or grudge or grumblings: thou didst promise
To bate me a full year.
I please, Remember I have done you worthy service; Told you no lies, made no mistakings, serv’d Without or grudge or grumblings: you didst promise To bate me a full year.
I come on, Remember I have done you worthy service; Told you no lies, made no mistakings, serv’d Without or grudge or grumblings: you didst promise To bate me a full year.
i prithee, remember i have done thee worthy service; told thee no lies, made no mistakings, serv’d without or grudge or
Dost thou forget
From what a torment I did free thee?
Dost you forget From what a torment I did free you?
Dost you forget From what a torment I did free you?
dost thou forget from what a torment i did free thee?
No.
No.
No.
no.
Ariel is not a slave — that's Caliban's word for himself. Ariel is a spirit working off a debt of rescue. But Shakespeare makes sure the audience feels the coercion: Ariel asks for freedom twice before obeying, and Prospero responds first with historical guilt-tripping and then with a direct threat to repeat the pine-tree imprisonment. The dynamic is recognizable to any reader who's experienced a power imbalance wrapped in language of gratitude: 'After all I've done for you.' Ariel gets freedom at the end — which is satisfying — but the promise of freedom is also what keeps the spirit working without rebellion throughout the play. Watch how Ariel's enthusiasm (abundant, eager, child-like) coexists with that trapped quality: the spirit is happiest when being told what to do, which might itself be a kind of conditioning. The question of whether Ariel could have refused is never tested.
Thou dost, and think’st it much to tread the ooze
Of the salt deep,
To run upon the sharp wind of the north,
To do me business in the veins o’ th’ earth
When it is bak’d with frost.
you dost, and think’st it much to tread the ooze Of the salt deep, To run upon the sharp wind of the north, To do me business in the veins o’ th’ earth When it is bak’d with frost.
you dost, and think’st it much to tread the ooze Of the salt deep, To run upon the sharp wind of the north, To do me business in the veins o’ th’ earth When it is bak’d with frost.
thou dost, and think’st it much to tread the ooze of the salt deep, to run upon the sharp wind of the north, to do me bu
I do not, sir.
I do not, sir.
I do not, sir.
i do not, sir.
Thou liest, malignant thing! Hast thou forgot
The foul witch Sycorax, who with age and envy
Was grown into a hoop? Hast thou forgot her?
you liest, malignant thing! Hast you forgot The foul witch Sycorax, who with age and envy Was grown into a hoop? Hast you forgot her?
you liest, malignant thing! Hast you forgot The foul witch Sycorax, who with age and envy Was grown into a hoop? Hast you forgot her?
thou liest, malignant thing! hast thou forgot the foul witch sycorax, who with age and envy was grown into a hoop? hast
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
no, sir.
Thou hast. Where was she born? Speak; tell me.
you hast. Where was she born? Speak; tell me.
you hast. Where was she born? Speak; tell me.
thou hast. where was she born? speak; tell me.
Sir, in Argier.
Sir, in Argier.
Sir, in Argier.
sir, in argier.
O, was she so? I must
Once in a month recount what thou hast been,
Which thou forget’st. This damn’d witch Sycorax,
For mischiefs manifold, and sorceries terrible
To enter human hearing, from Argier,
Thou know’st, was banish’d: for one thing she did
They would not take her life. Is not this true?
O, was she so? I must Once in a month recount what you hast been, Which you forget’st. This damn’d witch Sycorax, For mischiefs manifold, and sorceries terrible To enter human hearing, from Argier, you know’st, was banish’d: for one thing she did They would not take her life. Is not this true?
O, was she so? I must Once in a month recount what you hast been, Which you forget’st. This damn’d witch Sycorax, For mischiefs manifold, and sorceries terrible To enter human hearing, from Argier, you know’st, was banish’d: for one thing she did They would not take her life. Is not this true?
o, was she so? i must once in a month recount what thou hast been, which thou forget’st. this damn’d witch sycorax, for
Ay, sir.
Ay, sir.
Ay, sir.
ay, sir.
This blue-ey’d hag was hither brought with child,
And here was left by th’ sailors. Thou, my slave,
As thou report’st thyself, wast then her servant;
And, for thou wast a spirit too delicate
To act her earthy and abhorr’d commands,
Refusing her grand hests, she did confine thee,
By help of her more potent ministers,
And in her most unmitigable rage,
Into a cloven pine; within which rift
Imprison’d, thou didst painfully remain
A dozen years; within which space she died,
And left thee there, where thou didst vent thy groans
As fast as mill-wheels strike. Then was this island—
Save for the son that she did litter here,
A freckl’d whelp, hag-born—not honour’d with
A human shape.
This blue-ey’d hag was here brought with child, And here was left by th’ sailors. you, my slave, As you report’st thyself, were then her servant; And, for you were a spirit too delicate To act her earthy and abhorr’d commands, Refusing her grand hests, she did confine you, By help of her more potent ministers, And in her most unmitigable rage, Into a cloven pine; within which rift Imprison’d, you didst painfully remain A dozen years; within which space she died, And left you there, where you didst vent your groans As fast as mill-wheels strike. Then was this island— Save for the son that she did litter here, A freckl’d whelp, hag-born—not honour’d with A human shape.
This blue-ey’d hag was here brought with child, And here was left by th’ sailors. you, my slave, As you report’st thyself, were then her servant; And, for you were a spirit too delicate To act her earthy and abhorr’d commands, Refusing her grand hests, she did confine you, By help of her more potent ministers, And in her most unmitigable rage, Into a cloven pine; within which rift Imprison’d, you didst painfully remain A dozen years; within which space she died, And left you there, where you didst vent your groans As fast as mill-wheels strike. Then was this island— Save for the son that she did litter here, A freckl’d whelp, hag-born—not honour’d with A human shape.
this blue-ey’d hag was hither brought with child, and here was left by th’ sailors. thou, my slave, as thou report’st th
Yes, Caliban her son.
Yes, Caliban her son.
Yes, Caliban her son.
yes, caliban her son.
Dull thing, I say so; he, that Caliban,
Whom now I keep in service. Thou best know’st
What torment I did find thee in; thy groans
Did make wolves howl, and penetrate the breasts
Of ever-angry bears: it was a torment
To lay upon the damn’d, which Sycorax
Could not again undo; it was mine art,
When I arriv’d and heard thee, that made gape
The pine, and let thee out.
Dull thing, I say so; he, that Caliban, Whom now I keep in service. you best know’st What torment I did find you in; your groans Did make wolves howl, and penetrate the breasts Of ever-angry bears: it was a torment To lay upon the damn’d, which Sycorax Could not again undo; it was mine are, When I arriv’d and heard you, that made gape The pine, and let you out.
Dull thing, I say so; he, that Caliban, Whom now I keep in service. you best know’st What torment I did find you in; your groans Did make wolves howl, and penetrate the breasts Of ever-angry bears: it was a torment To lay upon the damn’d, which Sycorax Could not again undo; it was mine are, When I arriv’d and heard you, that made gape The pine, and let you out.
dull thing, i say so; he, that caliban, whom now i keep in service. thou best know’st what torment i did find thee in; t
I thank thee, master.
I thank you, master.
I thank you, master.
i thank thee, master.
If thou more murmur’st, I will rend an oak
And peg thee in his knotty entrails till
Thou hast howl’d away twelve winters.
If you more murmur’st, I will rend an oak And peg you in his knotty entrails till you hast howl’d away twelve winters.
If you more murmur’st, I will rend an oak And peg you in his knotty entrails till you hast howl’d away twelve winters.
if thou more murmur’st, i will rend an oak and peg thee in his knotty entrails till thou hast howl’d away twelve winters
Pardon, master:
I will be correspondent to command,
And do my spriting gently.
Pardon, master: I will be correspondent to command, And do my spriting gently.
Pardon, master: I will be correspondent to command, And do my spriting gently.
pardon, master: i will be correspondent to command, and do my spriting gently.
Do so; and after two days
I will discharge thee.
Do so; and after two days I will discharge you.
Do so; and after two days I will discharge you.
do so; and after two days i will discharge thee.
That’s my noble master!
What shall I do? Say what? What shall I do?
That’s my noble master! What will I do? Say what? What will I do?
That’s my noble master! What will I do? Say what? What will I do?
that’s my noble master! what shall i do? say what? what shall i do?
Go make thyself like a nymph o’ th’ sea. Be subject
To no sight but thine and mine; invisible
To every eyeball else. Go, take this shape,
And hither come in ’t. Go, hence with diligence!
Go make thyself like a nymph o’ th’ sea. Be subject To no sight but yours and mine; invisible To every eyeball else. Go, take this shape, And here come in ’t. Go, hence with diligence!
Go make thyself like a nymph o’ th’ sea. Be subject To no sight but yours and mine; invisible To every eyeball else. Go, take this shape, And here come in ’t. Go, hence with diligence!
go make thyself like a nymph o’ th’ sea. be subject to no sight but thine and mine; invisible to every eyeball else. go,
Heaviness in me.
Heaviness in me.
Heaviness in me.
heaviness in me.
Shake it off. Come on;
We’ll visit Caliban my slave, who never
Yields us kind answer.
Shake it off. Come on; We’ll visit Caliban my slave, who never Yields us kind answer.
Shake it off. Come on; We’ll visit Caliban my slave, who never Yields us kind answer.
shake it off. come on; we’ll visit caliban my slave, who never yields us kind answer.
’Tis a villain, sir,
I do not love to look on.
’Tis a villain, sir, I do not love to look on.
’Tis a villain, sir, I do not love to look on.
’tis a villain, sir, i do not love to look on.
But as ’tis,
We cannot miss him: he does make our fire,
Fetch in our wood; and serves in offices
That profit us. What ho! slave! Caliban!
Thou earth, thou! Speak.
But as ’tis, We cannot miss him: he does make our fire, Fetch in our wood; and serves in offices That profit us. What ho! slave! Caliban! you earth, you! Speak.
But as ’tis, We cannot miss him: he does make our fire, Fetch in our wood; and serves in offices That profit us. What ho! slave! Caliban! you earth, you! Speak.
but as ’tis, we cannot miss him: he does make our fire, fetch in our wood; and serves in offices that profit us. what ho
Come forth, I say; there’s other business for thee.
Come, thou tortoise! when?
Come forth, I say; there’s other business for you. Come, you tortoise! when?
Come forth, I say; there’s other business for you. Come, you tortoise! when?
come forth, i say; there’s other business for thee. come, thou tortoise! when?
My lord, it shall be done.
My lord, it will be done.
My lord, it will be done.
my lord, it shall be done.
Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself
Upon thy wicked dam, come forth!
you poisonous slave, got by the devil himself Upon your wicked dam, come forth!
you poisonous slave, got by the devil himself Upon your wicked dam, come forth!
thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself upon thy wicked dam, come forth!
Caliban speaks in curses and in memories — his language is at its most beautiful when he describes what he has lost, and most raw when he describes what was done to him. Watch for how his poetry undermines the monster label Prospero sticks on him.
As wicked dew as e’er my mother brush’d
With raven’s feather from unwholesome fen
Drop on you both! A south-west blow on ye,
And blister you all o’er!
As wicked dew as e’er my mother brush’d With raven’s feather from unwholesome fen Drop on you both! A south-west blow on ye, And blister you all o’er!
As wicked dew as e’er my mother brush’d With raven’s feather from unwholesome fen Drop on you both! A south-west blow on ye, And blister you all o’er!
as wicked dew as e’er my mother brush’d with raven’s feather from unwholesome fen drop on you both! a south-west blow on
For this, be sure, tonight thou shalt have cramps,
Side-stitches that shall pen thy breath up; urchins
Shall forth at vast of night that they may work
All exercise on thee. Thou shalt be pinch’d
As thick as honeycomb, each pinch more stinging
Than bees that made them.
For this, be sure, tonight you shalt have cramps, Side-stitches that will pen your breath up; urchins will forth at vast of night that they may work All exercise on you. you shalt be pinch’d As thick as honeycomb, each pinch more stinging Than bees that made them.
For this, be sure, tonight you shalt have cramps, Side-stitches that will pen your breath up; urchins will forth at vast of night that they may work All exercise on you. you shalt be pinch’d As thick as honeycomb, each pinch more stinging Than bees that made them.
for this, be sure, tonight thou shalt have cramps, side-stitches that shall pen thy breath up; urchins shall forth at va
I must eat my dinner.
This island’s mine, by Sycorax my mother,
Which thou tak’st from me. When thou cam’st first,
Thou strok’st me and made much of me; wouldst give me
Water with berries in ’t; and teach me how
To name the bigger light, and how the less,
That burn by day and night: and then I lov’d thee,
And show’d thee all the qualities o’ th’ isle,
The fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place, and fertile.
Curs’d be I that did so! All the charms
Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you!
For I am all the subjects that you have,
Which first was mine own King; and here you sty me
In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me
The rest o’ th’ island.
I must eat my dinner. This island’s mine, by Sycorax my mother, Which you tak’st from me. When you cam’st first, you strok’st me and made much of me; would give me Water with berries in ’t; and teach me how To name the bigger light, and how the less, That burn by day and night: and then I lov’d you, And show’d you all the qualities o’ th’ isle, The fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place, and fertile. Curs’d be I that did so! All the charms Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you! For I am all the subjects that you have, Which first was mine own King; and here you sty me In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me The rest o’ th’ island.
I must eat my dinner. This island’s mine, by Sycorax my mother, Which you tak’st from me. When you cam’st first, you strok’st me and made much of me; would give me Water with berries in ’t; and teach me how To name the bigger light, and how the less, That burn by day and night: and then I lov’d you, And show’d you all the qualities o’ th’ isle, The fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place, and fertile. Curs’d be I that did so! All the charms Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you! For I am all the subjects that you have, Which first was mine own King; and here you sty me In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me The rest o’ th’ island.
i must eat my dinner. this island’s mine, by sycorax my mother, which thou tak’st from me. when thou cam’st first, thou
Thou most lying slave,
Whom stripes may move, not kindness! I have us’d thee,
Filth as thou art, with human care, and lodg’d thee
In mine own cell, till thou didst seek to violate
The honour of my child.
you most lying slave, Whom stripes may move, not kindness! I have us’d you, Filth as you are, with human care, and lodg’d you In mine own cell, till you didst seek to violate The honour of my child.
you most lying slave, Whom stripes may move, not kindness! I have us’d you, Filth as you are, with human care, and lodg’d you In mine own cell, till you didst seek to violate The honour of my child.
thou most lying slave, whom stripes may move, not kindness! i have us’d thee, filth as thou art, with human care, and lo
Oh ho! Oh ho! Would ’t had been done!
Thou didst prevent me; I had peopled else
This isle with Calibans.
Oh ho! Oh ho! would ’t had been done! you didst prevent me; I had peopled else This isle with Calibans.
Oh ho! Oh ho! would ’t had been done! you didst prevent me; I had peopled else This isle with Calibans.
oh ho! oh ho! would ’t had been done! thou didst prevent me; i had peopled else this isle with calibans.
Prospero's defense of his treatment of Caliban rests entirely on the claim of education: I taught you to speak. I civilized you. And Caliban's response — 'You taught me language and my profit on't is I know how to curse' — is the most precise articulation in Shakespeare of what education can do when used as a tool of control rather than liberation. Language gives Caliban the ability to name his condition, to express his grievance, to curse his oppressor. It doesn't give him power. It doesn't restore his island. The gift and the trap are the same thing. This is the paradox that makes the scene so charged: Prospero is genuinely proud of having taught Caliban, and Caliban is genuinely furious that the teaching changed nothing. Both are right. Education without power remains a form of dependency.
Abhorred slave,
Which any print of goodness wilt not take,
Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee,
Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour
One thing or other: when thou didst not, savage,
Know thine own meaning, but wouldst gabble like
A thing most brutish, I endow’d thy purposes
With words that made them known. But thy vile race,
Though thou didst learn, had that in ’t which good natures
Could not abide to be with; therefore wast thou
Deservedly confin’d into this rock,
Who hadst deserv’d more than a prison.
Abhorred slave, Which any print of goodness wilt not take, Being capable of all ill! I pitied you, Took pains to make you speak, taught you each hour One thing or other: when you didst not, savage, Know yours own meaning, but would gabble like A thing most brutish, I endow’d your purposes With words that made them known. But your vile race, Though you didst learn, had that in ’t which good natures Could not abide to be with; therefore were you Deservedly confin’d into this rock, Who hadst deserv’d more than a prison.
Abhorred slave, Which any print of goodness wilt not take, Being capable of all ill! I pitied you, Took pains to make you speak, taught you each hour One thing or other: when you didst not, savage, Know yours own meaning, but would gabble like A thing most brutish, I endow’d your purposes With words that made them known. But your vile race, Though you didst learn, had that in ’t which good natures Could not abide to be with; therefore were you Deservedly confin’d into this rock, Who hadst deserv’d more than a prison.
abhorred slave, which any print of goodness wilt not take, being capable of all ill! i pitied thee, took pains to make t
You taught me language, and my profit on ’t
Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you,
For learning me your language!
You taught me language, and my profit on ’t Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you, For learning me your language!
You taught me language, and my profit on ’t Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you, For learning me your language!
you taught me language, and my profit on ’t is, i know how to curse. the red plague rid you, for learning me your langua
Hag-seed, hence!
Fetch us in fuel; and be quick, thou ’rt best,
To answer other business. Shrug’st thou, malice?
If thou neglect’st, or dost unwillingly
What I command, I’ll rack thee with old cramps,
Fill all thy bones with aches, make thee roar,
That beasts shall tremble at thy din.
Hag-seed, hence! Fetch us in fuel; and be quick, you ’rt best, To answer other business. Shrug’st you, malice? If you neglect’st, or dost unwillingly What I command, I’ll rack you with old cramps, Fill all your bones with aches, make you roar, That beasts will tremble at your din.
Hag-seed, hence! Fetch us in fuel; and be quick, you ’rt best, To answer other business. Shrug’st you, malice? If you neglect’st, or dost unwillingly What I command, I’ll rack you with old cramps, Fill all your bones with aches, make you roar, That beasts will tremble at your din.
hag-seed, hence! fetch us in fuel; and be quick, thou ’rt best, to answer other business. shrug’st thou, malice? if thou
No, pray thee.
No, pray you.
No, pray you.
no, pray thee.
So, slave, hence!
So, slave, hence!
So, slave, hence!
so, slave, hence!
Ferdinand is earnest to a fault — he believes everything he sees at face value, which makes him both easy to enchant and genuinely touching. Watch for how quickly he moves from grief to wonder to love, all without apparent contradiction.
Where should this music be? i’ th’ air or th’ earth?
It sounds no more; and sure it waits upon
Some god o’ th’ island. Sitting on a bank,
Weeping again the King my father’s wrack,
This music crept by me upon the waters,
Allaying both their fury and my passion
With its sweet air: thence I have follow’d it,
Or it hath drawn me rather,—but ’tis gone.
No, it begins again.
Where should this music be? i’ th’ air or th’ earth? It sounds no more; and sure it waits upon Some god o’ th’ island. Sitting on a bank, Weeping again the King my father’s wrack, This music crept by me upon the waters, Allaying both their fury and my passion With its sweet air: from there I have follow’d it, Or it has drawn me rather,—but ’tis gone. No, it begins again.
Where should this music be? i’ th’ air or th’ earth? It sounds no more; and sure it waits upon Some god o’ th’ island. Sitting on a bank, Weeping again the King my father’s wrack, This music crept by me upon the waters, Allaying both their fury and my passion With its sweet air: from there I have follow’d it, Or it has drawn me rather,—but ’tis gone. No, it begins again.
where should this music be? i’ th’ air or th’ earth? it sounds no more; and sure it waits upon some god o’ th’ island. s
_Full fathom five thy father lies.
Of his bones are coral made.
Those are pearls that were his eyes.
Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange.
Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell:_
Burden: _Ding-dong.
Hark! now I hear them: ding-dong, bell._
_Full fathom five your father lies. Of his bones are coral made. Those are pearls that were his eyes. Nothing of him that does fade But does suffer a sea-change Into something rich and strange. Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell:_ Burden: _Ding-dong. Hark! now I hear them: ding-dong, bell._
_Full fathom five your father lies. Of his bones are coral made. Those are pearls that were his eyes. Nothing of him that does fade But does suffer a sea-change Into something rich and strange. Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell:_ Burden: _Ding-dong. Hark! now I hear them: ding-dong, bell._
_full fathom five thy father lies. of his bones are coral made. those are pearls that were his eyes. nothing of him that
The ditty does remember my drown’d father.
This is no mortal business, nor no sound
That the earth owes:—I hear it now above me.
The ditty does remember my drown’d father. This is no mortal business, nor no sound That the earth owes:—I hear it now above me.
The ditty does remember my drown’d father. This is no mortal business, nor no sound That the earth owes:—I hear it now above me.
the ditty does remember my drown’d father. this is no mortal business, nor no sound that the earth owes:—i hear it now a
The fringed curtains of thine eye advance,
And say what thou seest yond.
The fringed curtains of yours eye advance, And say what you seest yond.
The fringed curtains of yours eye advance, And say what you seest yond.
the fringed curtains of thine eye advance, and say what thou seest yond.
What is’t? a spirit?
Lord, how it looks about! Believe me, sir,
It carries a brave form. But ’tis a spirit.
What is’t? a spirit? Lord, how it looks about! Believe me, sir, It carries a brave form. But ’tis a spirit.
What is’t? a spirit? Lord, how it looks about! Believe me, sir, It carries a brave form. But ’tis a spirit.
what is’t? a spirit? lord, how it looks about! believe me, sir, it carries a brave form. but ’tis a spirit.
No, wench; it eats and sleeps and hath such senses
As we have, such. This gallant which thou seest
Was in the wrack; and, but he’s something stain’d
With grief,—that’s beauty’s canker,—thou mightst call him
A goodly person: he hath lost his fellows
And strays about to find ’em.
No, woman; it eats and sleeps and has such senses As we have, such. This gallant which you seest Was in the wrack; and, but he’s something stain’d With grief,—that’s beauty’s canker,—you mightst call him A goodly person: he has lost his fellows And strays about to find ’em.
No, woman; it eats and sleeps and has such senses As we have, such. This gallant which you seest Was in the wrack; and, but he’s something stain’d With grief,—that’s beauty’s canker,—you mightst call him A goodly person: he has lost his fellows And strays about to find ’em.
no, wench; it eats and sleeps and hath such senses as we have, such. this gallant which thou seest was in the wrack; and
I might call him
A thing divine; for nothing natural
I ever saw so noble.
I might call him A thing divine; for nothing natural I ever saw so noble.
I might call him A thing divine; for nothing natural I ever saw so noble.
i might call him a thing divine; for nothing natural i ever saw so noble.
As my soul prompts it. Spirit, fine spirit! I’ll free thee
Within two days for this.
As my soul prompts it. Spirit, fine spirit! I’ll free you Within two days for this.
As my soul prompts it. Spirit, fine spirit! I’ll free you Within two days for this.
as my soul prompts it. spirit, fine spirit! i’ll free thee within two days for this.
Most sure, the goddess
On whom these airs attend! Vouchsafe, my prayer
May know if you remain upon this island;
And that you will some good instruction give
How I may bear me here: my prime request,
Which I do last pronounce, is, O you wonder!
If you be maid or no?
Most sure, the goddess On whom these airs attend! Vouchsafe, my prayer May know if you remain upon this island; And that you will some good instruction give How I may bear me here: my prime request, Which I do last pronounce, is, O you wonder! If you be maid or no?
Most sure, the goddess On whom these airs attend! Vouchsafe, my prayer May know if you remain upon this island; And that you will some good instruction give How I may bear me here: my prime request, Which I do last pronounce, is, O you wonder! If you be maid or no?
most sure, the goddess on whom these airs attend! vouchsafe, my prayer may know if you remain upon this island; and that
No wonder, sir;
But certainly a maid.
No wonder, sir; But certainly a maid.
No wonder, sir; But certainly a maid.
no wonder, sir; but certainly a maid.
My language! Heavens!
I am the best of them that speak this speech,
Were I but where ’tis spoken.
My language! Heavens! I am the best of them that speak this speech, Were I but where ’tis spoken.
My language! Heavens! I am the best of them that speak this speech, Were I but where ’tis spoken.
my language! heavens! i am the best of them that speak this speech, were i but where ’tis spoken.
How! the best?
What wert thou, if the King of Naples heard thee?
How! the best? What were you, if the King of Naples heard you?
How! the best? What were you, if the King of Naples heard you?
how! the best? what wert thou, if the king of naples heard thee?
A single thing, as I am now, that wonders
To hear thee speak of Naples. He does hear me;
And that he does I weep: myself am Naples,
Who with mine eyes, never since at ebb, beheld
The King my father wrack’d.
A single thing, as I am now, that wonders To hear you speak of Naples. He does hear me; And that he does I weep: myself am Naples, Who with mine eyes, never since at ebb, beheld The King my father wrack’d.
A single thing, as I am now, that wonders To hear you speak of Naples. He does hear me; And that he does I weep: myself am Naples, Who with mine eyes, never since at ebb, beheld The King my father wrack’d.
a single thing, as i am now, that wonders to hear thee speak of naples. he does hear me; and that he does i weep: myself
Count how many times in Prospero's long backstory he interrupts himself to demand attention: 'Dost thou attend me?' 'I pray thee, mark me.' 'Thou attend'st not?' He's asking Miranda to absorb a very long account of his grievances, and he keeps pausing to make sure she's still listening. This is unusual — adults don't usually monitor their audience's attention this insistently during normal storytelling. It suggests that Prospero has rehearsed this speech many times in his head and is terrified of losing his listener. It also suggests that keeping people attentive is a core part of how he operates: the same compulsion to control attention that governed his obsession with books over governance. The irony is that Miranda is fully engaged — she interrupts with genuine feeling, with questions, with compassion. He's demanding attention from the one person on the island who was always going to give it.
Alack, for mercy!
Alack, for mercy!
Alack, for mercy!
alack, for mercy!
Yes, faith, and all his lords, the Duke of Milan,
And his brave son being twain.
Yes, faith, and all his lords, the Duke of Milan, And his brave son being twain.
Yes, faith, and all his lords, the Duke of Milan, And his brave son being twain.
yes, faith, and all his lords, the duke of milan, and his brave son being twain.
And his more braver daughter could control thee,
If now ’twere fit to do’t. At the first sight
They have changed eyes. Delicate Ariel,
I’ll set thee free for this. [_To Ferdinand._] A word, good sir.
I fear you have done yourself some wrong: a word.
And his more braver daughter could control you, If now ’twere fit to do’t. At the first sight They have changed eyes. Delicate Ariel, I’ll set you free for this. [_To Ferdinand._] A word, good sir. I fear you have done yourself some wrong: a word.
And his more braver daughter could control you, If now ’twere fit to do’t. At the first sight They have changed eyes. Delicate Ariel, I’ll set you free for this. [_To Ferdinand._] A word, good sir. I fear you have done yourself some wrong: a word.
and his more braver daughter could control thee, if now ’twere fit to do’t. at the first sight they have changed eyes. d
Why speaks my father so ungently? This
Is the third man that e’er I saw; the first
That e’er I sigh’d for. Pity move my father
To be inclin’d my way!
Why speaks my father so ungently? This Is the third man that e’er I saw; the first That e’er I sigh’d for. Pity move my father To be inclin’d my way!
Why speaks my father so ungently? This Is the third man that e’er I saw; the first That e’er I sigh’d for. Pity move my father To be inclin’d my way!
why speaks my father so ungently? this is the third man that e’er i saw; the first that e’er i sigh’d for. pity move my
O! if a virgin,
And your affection not gone forth, I’ll make you
The Queen of Naples.
O! if a virgin, And your affection not gone forth, I’ll make you The Queen of Naples.
O! if a virgin, And your affection not gone forth, I’ll make you The Queen of Naples.
o! if a virgin, and your affection not gone forth, i’ll make you the queen of naples.
Soft, sir; one word more.
Soft, sir; one word more.
Soft, sir; one word more.
soft, sir; one word more.
No, as I am a man.
No, as I am a man.
No, as I am a man.
no, as i am a man.
There’s nothing ill can dwell in such a temple:
If the ill spirit have so fair a house,
Good things will strive to dwell with ’t.
There’s nothing ill can dwell in such a temple: If the ill spirit have so fair a house, Good things will strive to dwell with ’t.
There’s nothing ill can dwell in such a temple: If the ill spirit have so fair a house, Good things will strive to dwell with ’t.
there’s nothing ill can dwell in such a temple: if the ill spirit have so fair a house, good things will strive to dwell
I’ll manacle thy neck and feet together:
Sea-water shalt thou drink; thy food shall be
The fresh-brook mussels, wither’d roots, and husks
Wherein the acorn cradled. Follow.
I’ll manacle your neck and feet together: Sea-water shalt you drink; your food will be The fresh-brook mussels, wither’d roots, and husks Wherein the acorn cradled. Follow.
I’ll manacle your neck and feet together: Sea-water shalt you drink; your food will be The fresh-brook mussels, wither’d roots, and husks Wherein the acorn cradled. Follow.
i’ll manacle thy neck and feet together: sea-water shalt thou drink; thy food shall be the fresh-brook mussels, wither’d
No;
I will resist such entertainment till
Mine enemy has more power.
No; I will resist such entertainment till Mine enemy has more power.
No; I will resist such entertainment till Mine enemy has more power.
no; i will resist such entertainment till mine enemy has more power.
O dear father!
Make not too rash a trial of him, for
He’s gentle, and not fearful.
O dear father! Make not too rash a trial of him, for He’s gentle, and not fearful.
O dear father! Make not too rash a trial of him, for He’s gentle, and not fearful.
o dear father! make not too rash a trial of him, for he’s gentle, and not fearful.
What! I say,
My foot my tutor? Put thy sword up, traitor;
Who mak’st a show, but dar’st not strike, thy conscience
Is so possess’d with guilt: come from thy ward,
For I can here disarm thee with this stick
And make thy weapon drop.
What! I say, My foot my tutor? Put your sword up, traitor; Who mak’st a show, but dar’st not strike, your conscience Is so possess’d with guilt: come from your ward, For I can here disarm you with this stick And make your weapon drop.
What! I say, My foot my tutor? Put your sword up, traitor; Who mak’st a show, but dar’st not strike, your conscience Is so possess’d with guilt: come from your ward, For I can here disarm you with this stick And make your weapon drop.
what! i say, my foot my tutor? put thy sword up, traitor; who mak’st a show, but dar’st not strike, thy conscience is so
Beseech you, father!
ask you, father!
ask you, father!
beseech you, father!
Hence! Hang not on my garments.
Hence! Hang not on my garments.
Hence! Hang not on my garments.
hence! hang not on my garments.
Sir, have pity;
I’ll be his surety.
Sir, have pity; I’ll be his surety.
Sir, have pity; I’ll be his surety.
sir, have pity; i’ll be his surety.
Silence! One word more
Shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee. What!
An advocate for an impostor? hush!
Thou think’st there is no more such shapes as he,
Having seen but him and Caliban: foolish wench!
To th’ most of men this is a Caliban,
And they to him are angels.
Silence! One word more will make me chide you, if not hate you. What! An advocate for an impostor? hush! you think’st there is no more such shapes as he, Having seen but him and Caliban: foolish woman! To th’ most of men this is a Caliban, And they to him are angels.
Silence! One word more will make me chide you, if not hate you. What! An advocate for an impostor? hush! you think’st there is no more such shapes as he, Having seen but him and Caliban: foolish woman! To th’ most of men this is a Caliban, And they to him are angels.
silence! one word more shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee. what! an advocate for an impostor? hush! thou think’s
My affections
Are then most humble; I have no ambition
To see a goodlier man.
My affections Are then most humble; I have no ambition To see a goodlier man.
My affections Are then most humble; I have no ambition To see a goodlier man.
my affections are then most humble; i have no ambition to see a goodlier man.
Thy nerves are in their infancy again,
And have no vigour in them.
your nerves are in their infancy again, And have no vigour in them.
your nerves are in their infancy again, And have no vigour in them.
thy nerves are in their infancy again, and have no vigour in them.
So they are:
My spirits, as in a dream, are all bound up.
My father’s loss, the weakness which I feel,
The wrack of all my friends, nor this man’s threats,
To whom I am subdued, are but light to me,
Might I but through my prison once a day
Behold this maid: all corners else o’ th’ earth
Let liberty make use of; space enough
Have I in such a prison.
So they are: My spirits, as in a dream, are all bound up. My father’s loss, the weakness which I feel, The wrack of all my friends, nor this man’s threats, To whom I am subdued, are but light to me, Might I but through my prison once a day Behold this maid: all corners else o’ th’ earth Let liberty make use of; space enough Have I in such a prison.
So they are: My spirits, as in a dream, are all bound up. My father’s loss, the weakness which I feel, The wrack of all my friends, nor this man’s threats, To whom I am subdued, are but light to me, Might I but through my prison once a day Behold this maid: all corners else o’ th’ earth Let liberty make use of; space enough Have I in such a prison.
so they are: my spirits, as in a dream, are all bound up. my father’s loss, the weakness which i feel, the wrack of all
Thou hast done well, fine Ariel! [_To Ferdinand._] Follow me.
you hast done well, fine Ariel! [_To Ferdinand._] Follow me.
you hast done well, fine Ariel! [_To Ferdinand._] Follow me.
thou hast done well, fine ariel! [_to ferdinand._] follow me.
Be of comfort;
My father’s of a better nature, sir,
Than he appears by speech: this is unwonted
Which now came from him.
Be of comfort; My father’s of a better nature, sir, Than he appears by speech: this is unwonted Which now came from him.
Be of comfort; My father’s of a better nature, sir, Than he appears by speech: this is unwonted Which now came from him.
be of comfort; my father’s of a better nature, sir, than he appears by speech: this is unwonted which now came from him.
Thou shalt be as free
As mountain winds; but then exactly do
All points of my command.
you shalt be as free As mountain winds; but then exactly do All points of my command.
you shalt be as free As mountain winds; but then exactly do All points of my command.
thou shalt be as free as mountain winds; but then exactly do all points of my command.
To th’ syllable.
To th’ syllable.
To th’ syllable.
to th’ syllable.
The Reckoning
This is the engine room of the entire play: in one enormous scene Shakespeare lays out twelve years of backstory, establishes every major power relationship on the island, and plants the seed of the central romance. What makes it remarkable is the sheer control Prospero exerts — over Miranda's memories, over Ariel's freedom, over Caliban's labor, over Ferdinand's first impressions — and yet beneath all that control we sense a man running against time, trusting a single auspicious star. The audience leaves knowing almost everything; the characters know almost nothing.
If this happened today…
A tech founder who got pushed out of the company he built twelve years ago has secretly spent the intervening time accumulating leverage — patents, servers, insider knowledge, a contact at the acquirer's bank. His daughter only knows that they live off-grid and that he home-schooled her brilliantly. Today, the old board has flown into town for a conference, and he's been watching their flight tracker. He wakes his daughter, explains everything in one long monologue, fires up every automated system he's built, handles an employee dispute, deals with a contractor he hates but can't fire, and by end of day has the founder's son falling in love with his daughter. He has been waiting twelve years for this afternoon.