Act 2, Scene 2 — The Tempest — Study Shakespeare

The argument Caliban, cursing Prospero, encounters Trinculo and Stephano — a shipwrecked jester and a drunken butler — and mistakes them for spirits; Caliban swears allegiance to Stephano's bottle and offers to show him the island.

Enter Caliban with a burden of wood. A noise of thunder heard.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

All the infections that the sun sucks up

From bogs, fens, flats, on Prosper fall, and make him

By inch-meal a disease! His spirits hear me,

And yet I needs must curse. But they’ll nor pinch,

Fright me with urchin-shows, pitch me i’ the mire,

Nor lead me, like a firebrand, in the dark

Out of my way, unless he bid ’em; but

For every trifle are they set upon me,

Sometime like apes that mow and chatter at me,

And after bite me; then like hedgehogs which

Lie tumbling in my barefoot way, and mount

Their pricks at my footfall; sometime am I

All wound with adders, who with cloven tongues

Do hiss me into madness.

All the infections that the sun sucks up From bogs, fens, flats, on Prosper fall, and make him By inch-meal a disease! His spirits hear me, And yet I needs must curse. But they’ll nor pinch, Fright me with urchin-shows, pitch me i’ the mire, Nor lead me, like a firebrand, in the dark Out of my way, unless he bid ’em; but For every trifle are they set upon me, Sometime like apes that mow and chatter at me, And after bite me; then like hedgehogs which Lie tumbling in my barefoot way, and mount Their pricks at my footfall; sometime am I All wound with adders, who with cloven tongues Do hiss me into madness.

all the infections that the sun sucks up from bogs, fens, flats, on prosper fall, and make him by inch-meal a disease! h

"All the infections that the sun sucks up" Pre-scientific belief held that miasma — disease carried in the mists rising from swamps at sunrise — was the source of illness. Caliban is cursing Prospero with the full armory of medieval medical terror.

Enter Trinculo.

Lo, now, lo!

Here comes a spirit of his, and to torment me

For bringing wood in slowly. I’ll fall flat;

Perchance he will not mind me.

First appearance

TRINCULO

Trinculo is the voice of reality — a professional fool who can see clearly what Stephano and Caliban refuse to: that this situation is absurd. Watch for how his asides become increasingly exasperated as the other two get more delusional.

TRINCULO

Here’s neither bush nor shrub to bear off any weather at all, and

another storm brewing; I hear it sing i’ th’ wind. Yond same black

cloud, yond huge one, looks like a foul bombard that would shed his

liquor. If it should thunder as it did before, I know not where to hide

my head: yond same cloud cannot choose but fall by pailfuls. What have

we here? a man or a fish? dead or alive? A fish: he smells like a fish;

a very ancient and fish-like smell; a kind of not of the newest

Poor-John. A strange fish! Were I in England now, as once I was, and

had but this fish painted, not a holiday fool there but would give a

piece of silver: there would this monster make a man; any strange beast

there makes a man. When they will not give a doit to relieve a lame

beggar, they will lay out ten to see a dead Indian. Legg’d like a man,

and his fins like arms! Warm, o’ my troth! I do now let loose my

opinion, hold it no longer: this is no fish, but an islander, that hath

lately suffered by thunderbolt. [_Thunder._] Alas, the storm is come

again! My best way is to creep under his gaberdine; there is no other

shelter hereabout: misery acquaints a man with strange bed-fellows. I

will here shroud till the dregs of the storm be past.

Here’s neither bush nor shrub to bear off any weather at all, and another storm brewing; I hear it sing i’ th’ wind. Yond same black cloud, yond huge one, looks like a foul bombard that would shed his liquor. If it should thunder as it did before, I know not where to hide my head: yond same cloud cannot choose but fall by pailfuls. What have we here? a man or a fish? dead or alive? A fish: he smells like a fish; a very ancient and fish-like smell; a kind of not of the newest Poor-John. A strange fish! Were I in England now, as once I was, and had but this fish painted, not a holiday fool there but would give a piece of silver: there would this monster make a man; any strange beast there makes a man. When they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar, they will lay out ten to see a dead Indian. Legg’d like a man, and his fins like arms! Warm, o’ my troth! I do now let loose my opinion, hold it no longer: this is no fish, but an islander, that has lately suffered by thunderbolt. [_Thunder._] Alas, the storm is come again! My best way is to creep under his gaberdine; there is no other shelter hereabout: misery acquaints a man with strange bed-fellows. I will here shroud till the dregs of the storm be past.

here’s neither bush nor shrub to bear off any weather at all, and another storm brewing; i hear it sing i’ th’ wind. yon

Enter Stephano singing; a bottle in his hand.

First appearance

STEPHANO

Stephano is the comic villain of the play — a drunk who discovers that authority comes naturally when everyone around you is more desperate than you are. Watch for how quickly he adopts the language of kingship once he has a subject.

STEPHANO ≋ verse

_I shall no more to sea, to sea,

Here shall I die ashore—_

This is a very scurvy tune to sing at a man’s funeral.

Well, here’s my comfort.

_I will no more to sea, to sea, Here will I die ashore—_ This is a very scurvy tune to sing at a man’s funeral. Well, here’s my comfort.

_i shall no more to sea, to sea, here shall i die ashore—_ this is a very scurvy tune to sing at a man’s funeral. well,

[_Drinks._]

_The master, the swabber, the boatswain, and I,

The gunner, and his mate,

Lov’d Mall, Meg, and Marian, and Margery,

But none of us car’d for Kate:

For she had a tongue with a tang,

Would cry to a sailor “Go hang!”

She lov’d not the savour of tar nor of pitch,

Yet a tailor might scratch her where’er she did itch.

Then to sea, boys, and let her go hang._

This is a scurvy tune too: but here’s my comfort.

[_Drinks._]

CALIBAN

Do not torment me: O!

do not torment me: o!

STEPHANO

What’s the matter? Have we devils here? Do you put tricks upon ’s with

savages and men of Ind? Ha? I have not scap’d drowning, to be afeard

now of your four legs; for it hath been said, As proper a man as ever

went on four legs cannot make him give ground; and it shall be said so

again, while Stephano breathes at’ nostrils.

What’s the matter? Have we devils here? Do you put tricks upon ’s with savages and men of Ind? Ha? I have not scap’d drowning, to be afeard now of your four legs; for it has been said, As proper a man as ever went on four legs cannot make him give ground; and it will be said so again, while Stephano breathes at’ nostrils.

what’s the matter? have we devils here? do you put tricks upon ’s with savages and men of ind? ha? i have not scap’d dro

CALIBAN

The spirit torments me: O!

the spirit torments me: o!

STEPHANO

This is some monster of the isle with four legs, who hath got, as I

take it, an ague. Where the devil should he learn our language? I will

give him some relief, if it be but for that. If I can recover him and

keep him tame, and get to Naples with him, he’s a present for any

emperor that ever trod on neat’s-leather.

This is some monster of the isle with four legs, who has got, as I take it, an ague. Where the devil should he learn our language? I will give him some relief, if it be but for that. If I can recover him and keep him tame, and get to Naples with him, he’s a present for any emperor that ever trod on neat’s-leather.

this is some monster of the isle with four legs, who hath got, as i take it, an ague. where the devil should he learn ou

CALIBAN

Do not torment me, prithee; I’ll bring my wood home faster.

Do not torment me, please; I’ll bring my wood home faster.

Do not torment me, come on; I’ll bring my wood home faster.

do not torment me, prithee; i’ll bring my wood home faster.

STEPHANO

He’s in his fit now, and does not talk after the wisest. He shall taste

of my bottle: if he have never drunk wine afore, it will go near to

remove his fit. If I can recover him, and keep him tame, I will not

take too much for him. He shall pay for him that hath him, and that

soundly.

He’s in his fit now, and does not talk after the wisest. He will taste of my bottle: if he have never drunk wine afore, it will go near to remove his fit. If I can recover him, and keep him tame, I will not take too much for him. He will pay for him that has him, and that soundly.

he’s in his fit now, and does not talk after the wisest. he shall taste of my bottle: if he have never drunk wine afore,

CALIBAN ≋ verse

Thou dost me yet but little hurt; thou wilt anon,

I know it by thy trembling: now Prosper works upon thee.

you dost me yet but little hurt; you wilt anon, I know it by your trembling: now Prosper works upon you.

thou dost me yet but little hurt; thou wilt anon, i know it by thy trembling: now prosper works upon thee.

STEPHANO

Come on your ways. Open your mouth; here is that which will give

language to you, cat. Open your mouth. This will shake your shaking, I

can tell you, and that soundly. [_gives Caliban a drink_] You cannot

tell who’s your friend: open your chaps again.

Come on your ways. Open your mouth; here is that which will give language to you, cat. Open your mouth. This will shake your shaking, I can tell you, and that soundly. [_gives Caliban a drink_] You cannot tell who’s your friend: open your chaps again.

come on your ways. open your mouth; here is that which will give language to you, cat. open your mouth. this will shake

TRINCULO

I should know that voice: it should be—but he is drowned; and these are

devils. O, defend me!

I should know that voice: it should be—but he is drowned; and these are devils. O, defend me!

i should know that voice: it should be—but he is drowned; and these are devils. o, defend me!

STEPHANO

Four legs and two voices; a most delicate monster! His forward voice

now is to speak well of his friend; his backward voice is to utter foul

speeches and to detract. If all the wine in my bottle will recover him,

I will help his ague. Come. Amen! I will pour some in thy other mouth.

Four legs and two voices; a most delicate monster! His forward voice now is to speak well of his friend; his backward voice is to utter foul speeches and to detract. If all the wine in my bottle will recover him, I will help his ague. Come. Amen! I will pour some in your other mouth.

four legs and two voices; a most delicate monster! his forward voice now is to speak well of his friend; his backward vo

TRINCULO

Stephano!

stephano!

STEPHANO ≋ verse

Doth thy other mouth call me? Mercy! mercy!

This is a devil, and no monster: I will leave him; I

have no long spoon.

does your other mouth call me? Mercy! mercy! This is a devil, and no monster: I will leave him; I have no long spoon.

doth thy other mouth call me? mercy! mercy! this is a devil, and no monster: i will leave him; i have no long spoon.

TRINCULO

Stephano! If thou beest Stephano, touch me, and speak to me; for I am

Trinculo—be not afeared—thy good friend Trinculo.

Stephano! If you beest Stephano, touch me, and speak to me; for I am Trinculo—be not afeared—your good friend Trinculo.

stephano! if thou beest stephano, touch me, and speak to me; for i am trinculo—be not afeared—thy good friend trinculo.

STEPHANO

If thou beest Trinculo, come forth. I’ll pull thee by the lesser legs:

if any be Trinculo’s legs, these are they. Thou art very Trinculo

indeed! How cam’st thou to be the siege of this moon-calf? Can he vent

Trinculos?

If you beest Trinculo, come forth. I’ll pull you by the lesser legs: if any be Trinculo’s legs, these are they. you are very Trinculo indeed! How cam’st you to be the siege of this moon-calf? Can he vent Trinculos?

if thou beest trinculo, come forth. i’ll pull thee by the lesser legs: if any be trinculo’s legs, these are they. thou a

TRINCULO

I took him to be kill’d with a thunderstroke. But art thou not drown’d,

Stephano? I hope now thou are not drown’d. Is the storm overblown? I

hid me under the dead moon-calf’s gaberdine for fear of the storm. And

art thou living, Stephano? O Stephano, two Neapolitans scap’d!

I took him to be kill’d with a thunderstroke. But are you not drown’d, Stephano? I hope now you are not drown’d. Is the storm overblown? I hid me under the dead moon-calf’s gaberdine for fear of the storm. And are you living, Stephano? O Stephano, two Neapolitans scap’d!

i took him to be kill’d with a thunderstroke. but art thou not drown’d, stephano? i hope now thou are not drown’d. is th

STEPHANO

Prithee, do not turn me about. My stomach is not constant.

please, do not turn me about. My stomach is not constant.

come on, do not turn me about. My stomach is not constant.

prithee, do not turn me about. my stomach is not constant.

[_Aside._] These be fine things, an if they be not sprites.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

That’s a brave god, and bears celestial liquor.

I will kneel to him.

That’s a brave god, and bears celestial liquor. I will kneel to him.

that’s a brave god, and bears celestial liquor. i will kneel to him.

Why it matters Caliban kneels to Stephano not out of stupidity but out of genuine awe — the wine is unlike anything he's experienced, and his worship is real in this moment.

🎭 Dramatic irony Caliban kneels to Stephano as a divine being who 'fell from heaven' — the audience knows Stephano is a drunken butler who floated ashore on a wine cask. The worship is completely sincere and completely misplaced.

STEPHANO

How didst thou scape? How cam’st thou hither? Swear by this bottle how

thou cam’st hither—I escaped upon a butt of sack, which the sailors

heaved o’erboard, by this bottle! which I made of the bark of a tree

with mine own hands, since I was cast ashore.

How didst you scape? How cam’st you here? Swear by this bottle how you cam’st here—I escaped upon a butt of sack, which the sailors heaved o’erboard, by this bottle! which I made of the bark of a tree with mine own hands, since I was cast ashore.

how didst thou scape? how cam’st thou hither? swear by this bottle how thou cam’st hither—i escaped upon a butt of sack

CALIBAN

I’ll swear upon that bottle to be thy true subject, for the liquor is

not earthly.

I’ll swear upon that bottle to be your true subject, for the liquor is not earthly.

i’ll swear upon that bottle to be thy true subject, for the liquor is not earthly.

STEPHANO

Here. Swear then how thou escapedst.

Here. Swear then how you escapedst.

here. swear then how thou escapedst.

TRINCULO

Swum ashore, man, like a duck: I can swim like a duck, I’ll be sworn.

swum ashore, man, like a duck: i can swim like a duck, i’ll be sworn.

STEPHANO

Here, kiss the book. Though thou canst swim like a duck, thou art made

like a goose.

Here, kiss the book. Though you canst swim like a duck, you are made like a goose.

here, kiss the book. though thou canst swim like a duck, thou art made like a goose.

TRINCULO

O Stephano, hast any more of this?

o stephano, hast any more of this?

STEPHANO

The whole butt, man: my cellar is in a rock by th’ seaside, where my

wine is hid. How now, moon-calf! How does thine ague?

The whole butt, man: my cellar is in a rock by th’ seaside, where my wine is hid. How now, moon-calf! How does yours ague?

the whole butt, man: my cellar is in a rock by th’ seaside, where my wine is hid. how now, moon-calf! how does thine agu

CALIBAN

Hast thou not dropped from heaven?

Hast you not dropped from heaven?

hast thou not dropped from heaven?

STEPHANO

Out o’ the moon, I do assure thee: I was the Man in the Moon, when time

was.

Out o’ the moon, I do assure you: I was the Man in the Moon, when time was.

out o’ the moon, i do assure thee: i was the man in the moon, when time was.

CALIBAN

I have seen thee in her, and I do adore thee. My mistress showed me

thee, and thy dog, and thy bush.

I have seen you in her, and I do adore you. My mistress showed me you, and your dog, and your bush.

i have seen thee in her, and i do adore thee. my mistress showed me thee, and thy dog, and thy bush.

"thy dog, and thy bush" The 'Man in the Moon' in English folklore traditionally came with a dog and a thorn-bush as companions. Sycorax apparently taught Caliban to see the folk legend in the actual moon.

STEPHANO

Come, swear to that. Kiss the book. I will furnish it anon with new

contents. Swear.

Come, swear to that. Kiss the book. I will furnish it anon with new contents. Swear.

come, swear to that. kiss the book. i will furnish it anon with new contents. swear.

TRINCULO

By this good light, this is a very shallow monster. I afeard of him? A

very weak monster. The Man i’ the Moon! A most poor credulous monster!

Well drawn, monster, in good sooth!

By this good light, this is a very shallow monster. I afeard of him? A very weak monster. The Man i’ the Moon! A most poor credulous monster! Well drawn, monster, in good sooth!

by this good light, this is a very shallow monster. i afeard of him? a very weak monster. the man i’ the moon! a most po

CALIBAN

I’ll show thee every fertile inch o’ the island; and I will kiss thy

foot. I prithee, be my god.

I’ll show you every fertile inch o’ the island; and I will kiss your foot. I please, be my god.

I’ll show you every fertile inch o’ the island; and I will kiss your foot. I come on, be my god.

i’ll show thee every fertile inch o’ the island; and i will kiss thy foot. i prithee, be my god.

TRINCULO

By this light, a most perfidious and drunken monster. When ’s god’s

asleep, he’ll rob his bottle.

By this light, a most perfidious and drunken monster. When ’s god’s asleep, he’ll rob his bottle.

by this light, a most perfidious and drunken monster. when ’s god’s asleep, he’ll rob his bottle.

CALIBAN

I’ll kiss thy foot. I’ll swear myself thy subject.

I’ll kiss your foot. I’ll swear myself your subject.

i’ll kiss thy foot. i’ll swear myself thy subject.

STEPHANO

Come on, then; down, and swear.

come on, then; down, and swear.

TRINCULO

I shall laugh myself to death at this puppy-headed monster. A most

scurvy monster! I could find in my heart to beat him,—

I will laugh myself to death at this puppy-headed monster. A most scurvy monster! I could find in my heart to beat him,—

i shall laugh myself to death at this puppy-headed monster. a most scurvy monster! i could find in my heart to beat him,

STEPHANO

Come, kiss.

come, kiss.

TRINCULO

But that the poor monster’s in drink. An abominable monster!

but that the poor monster’s in drink. an abominable monster!

CALIBAN ≋ verse

I’ll show thee the best springs; I’ll pluck thee berries;

I’ll fish for thee, and get thee wood enough.

A plague upon the tyrant that I serve!

I’ll bear him no more sticks, but follow thee,

Thou wondrous man.

I’ll show you the best springs; I’ll pluck you berries; I’ll fish for you, and get you wood enough. A plague upon the tyrant that I serve! I’ll bear him no more sticks, but follow you, you wondrous man.

i’ll show thee the best springs; i’ll pluck thee berries; i’ll fish for thee, and get thee wood enough. a plague upon th

TRINCULO

A most ridiculous monster, to make a wonder of a poor drunkard!

a most ridiculous monster, to make a wonder of a poor drunkard!

"make a wonder of a poor drunkard" Trinculo is referring to the London practice of exhibiting 'curiosities' — exotic animals, deformed humans, anything strange — for paying audiences. He's saying an English audience would pay to see Caliban.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

I prithee, let me bring thee where crabs grow;

And I with my long nails will dig thee pig-nuts;

Show thee a jay’s nest, and instruct thee how

To snare the nimble marmoset; I’ll bring thee

To clustering filberts, and sometimes I’ll get thee

Young scamels from the rock. Wilt thou go with me?

I please, let me bring you where crabs grow; And I with my long nails will dig you pig-nuts; Show you a jay’s nest, and instruct you how To snare the nimble marmoset; I’ll bring you To clustering filberts, and sometimes I’ll get you Young scamels from the rock. Wilt you go with me?

I come on, let me bring you where crabs grow; And I with my long nails will dig you pig-nuts; Show you a jay’s nest, and instruct you how To snare the nimble marmoset; I’ll bring you To clustering filberts, and sometimes I’ll get you Young scamels from the rock. Wilt you go with me?

i prithee, let me bring thee where crabs grow; and i with my long nails will dig thee pig-nuts; show thee a jay’s nest,

Why it matters Caliban describing the island's riches is the play's most tender moment — the creature who was dispossessed of paradise giving it away again, freely, to anyone who'll be kind.

STEPHANO

I prithee now, lead the way without any more talking. Trinculo, the

King and all our company else being drowned, we will inherit here.

Here, bear my bottle. Fellow Trinculo, we’ll fill him by and by again.

I please now, lead the way without any more talking. Trinculo, the King and all our company else being drowned, we will inherit here. Here, bear my bottle. Fellow Trinculo, we’ll fill him by and by again.

I come on now, lead the way without any more talking. Trinculo, the King and all our company else being drowned, we will inherit here. Here, bear my bottle. Fellow Trinculo, we’ll fill him by and by again.

i prithee now, lead the way without any more talking. trinculo, the king and all our company else being drowned, we will

[_Sings drunkenly._] _Farewell, master; farewell, farewell!_

TRINCULO

A howling monster, a drunken monster.

a howling monster, a drunken monster.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

_No more dams I’ll make for fish;

Nor fetch in firing

At requiring,

Nor scrape trenchering, nor wash dish;

’Ban ’Ban, Cacaliban,

Has a new master—Get a new man._

Freedom, high-day! high-day, freedom! freedom,

high-day, freedom!

_No more dams I’ll make for fish; Nor fetch in firing At requiring, Nor scrape trenchering, nor wash dish; ’Ban ’Ban, Cacaliban, Has a new master—Get a new man._ Freedom, high-day! high-day, freedom! freedom, high-day, freedom!

_no more dams i’ll make for fish; nor fetch in firing at requiring, nor scrape trenchering, nor wash dish; ’ban ’ban, ca

Why it matters Caliban's freedom song — the most joyful moment he gets in the play, and the most painful to watch, because the audience can see he's just trading one form of servitude for another.

STEPHANO

O brave monster! lead the way.

o brave monster! lead the way.

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

This is the play's comic relief, arriving right after a near-murder — and it's funnier and sadder in equal measure. Caliban's transfer of servitude from Prospero to a drunken butler is played for laughs, but Shakespeare makes sure we feel the pathos: here is someone so desperate for a master who won't torment him that he'll worship a bottle of wine. Trinculo's commentary (this is a ridiculous monster) runs alongside Caliban's genuine wonder, and the contrast is what makes the scene sting.

If this happened today…

A traumatized employee leaves an abusive tech company and immediately signs up to be the 'first follower' of a guy he met at a bar who says he's going to disrupt everything. The guy is clearly drunk and probably a fraud. The employee doesn't care — he's offering to show the drunk guy all the trade secrets from his old company if only the new guy will be a halfway decent boss.

Continue to 3.1 →