← 3.1
Act 3, Scene 2 — Another part of the island.
on stage:
Next: 3.3 →
Original
Faithful Conversational Text-message
The argument Caliban urges Stephano to murder Prospero; Ariel, invisible, sows discord by imitating voices; the conspirators are lured away by mysterious music.
Enter Caliban with a bottle, Stephano and Trinculo.
STEPHANO

Tell not me:—when the butt is out we will drink water; not a drop

before: therefore bear up, and board ’em. Servant-monster, drink to me.

Tell not me:—when the butt is out we will drink water; not a drop before: therefore bear up, and board ’em. Servant-monster, drink to me.

Tell not me:—when the butt is out we will drink water; not a drop before: therefore bear up, and board ’em. Servant-monster, drink to me.

tell not me:—when the butt is out we will drink water; not a drop before: therefore bear up, and board ’em. servant-mons

TRINCULO

Servant-monster! The folly of this island! They say there’s but five

upon this isle; we are three of them; if th’ other two be brained like

us, the state totters.

Servant-monster! The folly of this island! They say there’s but five upon this isle; we are three of them; if th’ other two be brained like us, the state totters.

Servant-monster! The folly of this island! They say there’s but five upon this isle; we are three of them; if th’ other two be brained like us, the state totters.

servant-monster! the folly of this island! they say there’s but five upon this isle; we are three of them; if th’ other

STEPHANO

Drink, servant-monster, when I bid thee: thy eyes are almost set in thy

head.

Drink, servant-monster, when I bid you: your eyes are almost set in your head.

Drink, servant-monster, when I bid you: your eyes are almost set in your head.

drink, servant-monster, when i bid thee: thy eyes are almost set in thy head.

TRINCULO

Where should they be set else? He were a brave monster indeed, if they

were set in his tail.

Where should they be set else? He were a brave monster indeed, if they were set in his tail.

Where should they be set else? He were a brave monster indeed, if they were set in his tail.

where should they be set else? he were a brave monster indeed, if they were set in his tail.

STEPHANO

My man-monster hath drown’d his tongue in sack: for my part, the sea

cannot drown me; I swam, ere I could recover the shore, five-and-thirty

leagues, off and on, by this light. Thou shalt be my lieutenant,

monster, or my standard.

My man-monster has drown’d his tongue in sack: for my part, the sea cannot drown me; I swam, before I could recover the shore, five-and-thirty leagues, off and on, by this light. you shalt be my lieutenant, monster, or my standard.

My man-monster has drown’d his tongue in sack: for my part, the sea cannot drown me; I swam, before I could recover the shore, five-and-thirty leagues, off and on, by this light. you shalt be my lieutenant, monster, or my standard.

my man-monster hath drown’d his tongue in sack: for my part, the sea cannot drown me; i swam, ere i could recover the sh

TRINCULO

Your lieutenant, if you list; he’s no standard.

Your lieutenant, if you list; he’s no standard.

Your lieutenant, if you list; he’s no standard.

your lieutenant, if you list; he’s no standard.

STEPHANO

We’ll not run, Monsieur monster.

We’ll not run, Monsieur monster.

We’ll not run, Monsieur monster.

we’ll not run, monsieur monster.

TRINCULO

Nor go neither. But you’ll lie like dogs, and yet say nothing neither.

Nor go neither. But you’ll lie like dogs, and yet say nothing neither.

Nor go neither. But you’ll lie like dogs, and yet say nothing neither.

nor go neither. but you’ll lie like dogs, and yet say nothing neither.

STEPHANO

Moon-calf, speak once in thy life, if thou beest a good moon-calf.

Moon-calf, speak once in your life, if you beest a good moon-calf.

Moon-calf, speak once in your life, if you beest a good moon-calf.

moon-calf, speak once in thy life, if thou beest a good moon-calf.

CALIBAN

How does thy honour? Let me lick thy shoe. I’ll not serve him, he is

not valiant.

How does your honour? Let me lick your shoe. I’ll not serve him, he is not valiant.

How does your honour? Let me lick your shoe. I’ll not serve him, he is not valiant.

how does thy honour? let me lick thy shoe. i’ll not serve him, he is not valiant.

TRINCULO

Thou liest, most ignorant monster: I am in case to justle a constable.

Why, thou deboshed fish thou, was there ever man a coward that hath

drunk so much sack as I today? Wilt thou tell a monstrous lie, being

but half a fish and half a monster?

you liest, most ignorant monster: I am in case to justle a constable. Why, you deboshed fish you, was there ever man a coward that has drunk so much sack as I today? Wilt you tell a monstrous lie, being but half a fish and half a monster?

you liest, most ignorant monster: I am in case to justle a constable. Why, you deboshed fish you, was there ever man a coward that has drunk so much sack as I today? Wilt you tell a monstrous lie, being but half a fish and half a monster?

thou liest, most ignorant monster: i am in case to justle a constable. why, thou deboshed fish thou, was there ever man

CALIBAN

Lo, how he mocks me! wilt thou let him, my lord?

Lo, how he mocks me! wilt you let him, my lord?

Lo, how he mocks me! wilt you let him, my lord?

lo, how he mocks me! wilt thou let him, my lord?

TRINCULO

“Lord” quoth he! That a monster should be such a natural!

“Lord” quoth he! That a monster should be such a natural!

“Lord” quoth he! That a monster should be such a natural!

“lord” quoth he! that a monster should be such a natural!

CALIBAN

Lo, lo again! bite him to death, I prithee.

Lo, lo again! bite him to death, I please.

Lo, lo again! bite him to death, I come on.

lo, lo again! bite him to death, i prithee.

STEPHANO

Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head: if you prove a mutineer, the

next tree! The poor monster’s my subject, and he shall not suffer

indignity.

Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head: if you prove a mutineer, the next tree! The poor monster’s my subject, and he will not suffer indignity.

Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head: if you prove a mutineer, the next tree! The poor monster’s my subject, and he will not suffer indignity.

trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head: if you prove a mutineer, the next tree! the poor monster’s my subject, and he

CALIBAN

I thank my noble lord. Wilt thou be pleas’d to hearken once again to

the suit I made to thee?

I thank my noble lord. Wilt you be pleas’d to hearken once again to the suit I made to you?

I thank my noble lord. Wilt you be pleas’d to hearken once again to the suit I made to you?

i thank my noble lord. wilt thou be pleas’d to hearken once again to the suit i made to thee?

STEPHANO

Marry. will I. Kneel and repeat it. I will stand, and so shall

Trinculo.

Marry. will I. Kneel and repeat it. I will stand, and so will Trinculo.

Marry. will I. Kneel and repeat it. I will stand, and so will Trinculo.

marry. will i. kneel and repeat it. i will stand, and so shall trinculo.

Enter Ariel, invisible.
CALIBAN

As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer, that by

his cunning hath cheated me of the island.

As I told you before, I am subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer, that by his cunning has cheated me of the island.

As I told you before, I am subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer, that by his cunning has cheated me of the island.

as i told thee before, i am subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island.

ARIEL

Thou liest.

you liest.

you liest.

thou liest.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

Thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou;

I would my valiant master would destroy thee;

I do not lie.

you liest, you jesting monkey, you; I would my valiant master would destroy you; I do not lie.

you liest, you jesting monkey, you; I would my valiant master would destroy you; I do not lie.

thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou; i would my valiant master would destroy thee; i do not lie.

STEPHANO

Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in his tale, by this hand, I will

supplant some of your teeth.

Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in his tale, by this hand, I will supplant some of your teeth.

Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in his tale, by this hand, I will supplant some of your teeth.

trinculo, if you trouble him any more in his tale, by this hand, i will supplant some of your teeth.

TRINCULO

Why, I said nothing.

Why, I said nothing.

Why, I said nothing.

why, i said nothing.

STEPHANO

Mum, then, and no more. Proceed.

Mum, then, and no more. Proceed.

Mum, then, and no more. Proceed.

mum, then, and no more. proceed.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

I say, by sorcery he got this isle;

From me he got it. If thy greatness will,

Revenge it on him,—for I know thou dar’st;

But this thing dare not,—

I say, by sorcery he got this isle; From me he got it. If your greatness will, Revenge it on him,—for I know you dar’st; But this thing dare not,—

I say, by sorcery he got this isle; From me he got it. If your greatness will, Revenge it on him,—for I know you dar’st; But this thing dare not,—

i say, by sorcery he got this isle; from me he got it. if thy greatness will, revenge it on him,—for i know thou dar’st;

STEPHANO

That’s most certain.

That’s most certain.

That’s most certain.

that’s most certain.

CALIBAN

Thou shalt be lord of it and I’ll serve thee.

you shalt be lord of it and I’ll serve you.

you shalt be lord of it and I’ll serve you.

thou shalt be lord of it and i’ll serve thee.

STEPHANO

How now shall this be compassed? Canst thou bring me to the party?

How now will this be compassed? Canst you bring me to the party?

How now will this be compassed? Canst you bring me to the party?

how now shall this be compassed? canst thou bring me to the party?

CALIBAN ≋ verse

Yea, yea, my lord: I’ll yield him thee asleep,

Where thou mayst knock a nail into his head.

Yea, yea, my lord: I’ll yield him you asleep, Where you mayst knock a nail into his head.

Yea, yea, my lord: I’ll yield him you asleep, Where you mayst knock a nail into his head.

yea, yea, my lord: i’ll yield him thee asleep, where thou mayst knock a nail into his head.

ARIEL

Thou liest. Thou canst not.

you liest. you canst not.

you liest. you canst not.

thou liest. thou canst not.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

What a pied ninny’s this! Thou scurvy patch!

I do beseech thy greatness, give him blows,

And take his bottle from him: when that’s gone

He shall drink nought but brine; for I’ll not show him

Where the quick freshes are.

What a pied ninny’s this! you scurvy patch! I do ask your greatness, give him blows, And take his bottle from him: when that’s gone He will drink nought but brine; for I’ll not show him Where the quick freshes are.

What a pied ninny’s this! you scurvy patch! I do ask your greatness, give him blows, And take his bottle from him: when that’s gone He will drink nought but brine; for I’ll not show him Where the quick freshes are.

what a pied ninny’s this! thou scurvy patch! i do beseech thy greatness, give him blows, and take his bottle from him: w

STEPHANO

Trinculo, run into no further danger: interrupt the monster one word

further, and by this hand, I’ll turn my mercy out o’ doors, and make a

stock-fish of thee.

Trinculo, run into no further danger: interrupt the monster one word further, and by this hand, I’ll turn my mercy out o’ doors, and make a stock-fish of you.

Trinculo, run into no further danger: interrupt the monster one word further, and by this hand, I’ll turn my mercy out o’ doors, and make a stock-fish of you.

trinculo, run into no further danger: interrupt the monster one word further, and by this hand, i’ll turn my mercy out o

TRINCULO

Why, what did I? I did nothing. I’ll go farther off.

Why, what did I? I did nothing. I’ll go farther off.

Why, what did I? I did nothing. I’ll go farther off.

why, what did i? i did nothing. i’ll go farther off.

STEPHANO

Didst thou not say he lied?

Didst you not say he lied?

Didst you not say he lied?

didst thou not say he lied?

ARIEL

Thou liest.

you liest.

you liest.

thou liest.

STEPHANO

Do I so? Take thou that.

Do I so? Take you that.

Do I so? Take you that.

do i so? take thou that.

[_Strikes Trinculo._]
As you like this, give me the lie another time.
TRINCULO

I did not give the lie. Out o’ your wits and hearing too? A pox o’ your

bottle! this can sack and drinking do. A murrain on your monster, and

the devil take your fingers!

I did not give the lie. Out o’ your wits and hearing too? A pox o’ your bottle! this can sack and drinking do. A murrain on your monster, and the devil take your fingers!

I did not give the lie. Out o’ your wits and hearing too? A pox o’ your bottle! this can sack and drinking do. A murrain on your monster, and the devil take your fingers!

i did not give the lie. out o’ your wits and hearing too? a pox o’ your bottle! this can sack and drinking do. a murrain

CALIBAN

Ha, ha, ha!

Ha, ha, ha!

Ha, ha, ha!

ha, ha, ha!

STEPHANO

Now, forward with your tale.—Prithee stand further off.

Now, forward with your tale.—please stand further off.

Now, forward with your tale.—come on stand further off.

now, forward with your tale.—prithee stand further off.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

Beat him enough: after a little time,

I’ll beat him too.

Beat him enough: after a little time, I’ll beat him too.

Beat him enough: after a little time, I’ll beat him too.

beat him enough: after a little time, i’ll beat him too.

STEPHANO

Stand farther.—Come, proceed.

Stand farther.—Come, proceed.

Stand farther.—Come, proceed.

stand farther.—come, proceed.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

Why, as I told thee, ’tis a custom with him

I’ th’ afternoon to sleep: there thou mayst brain him,

Having first seiz’d his books; or with a log

Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake,

Or cut his wezand with thy knife. Remember

First to possess his books; for without them

He’s but a sot, as I am, nor hath not

One spirit to command: they all do hate him

As rootedly as I. Burn but his books.

He has brave utensils,—for so he calls them,—

Which, when he has a house, he’ll deck withal.

And that most deeply to consider is

The beauty of his daughter; he himself

Calls her a nonpareil: I never saw a woman

But only Sycorax my dam and she;

But she as far surpasseth Sycorax

As great’st does least.

Why, as I told you, ’tis a custom with him I’ th’ afternoon to sleep: there you mayst brain him, Having first seiz’d his books; or with a log Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake, Or cut his wezand with your knife. Remember First to possess his books; for without them He’s but a sot, as I am, nor has not One spirit to command: they all do hate him As rootedly as I. Burn but his books. He has brave utensils,—for so he calls them,— Which, when he has a house, he’ll deck withal. And that most deeply to consider is The beauty of his daughter; he himself Calls her a nonpareil: I never saw a woman But only Sycorax my dam and she; But she as far surpasseth Sycorax As great’st does least.

Why, as I told you, ’tis a custom with him I’ th’ afternoon to sleep: there you mayst brain him, Having first seiz’d his books; or with a log Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake, Or cut his wezand with your knife. Remember First to possess his books; for without them He’s but a sot, as I am, nor has not One spirit to command: they all do hate him As rootedly as I. Burn but his books. He has brave utensils,—for so he calls them,— Which, when he has a house, he’ll deck withal. And that most deeply to consider is The beauty of his daughter; he himself Calls her a nonpareil: I never saw a woman But only Sycorax my dam and she; But she as far surpasseth Sycorax As great’st does least.

why, as i told thee, ’tis a custom with him i’ th’ afternoon to sleep: there thou mayst brain him, having first seiz’d h

"Remember / First to possess his books" Caliban has perfectly identified Prospero's source of power — the books. His intelligence about how magic works is sharper than anything Stephano or Trinculo contributes to the plot.
STEPHANO

Is it so brave a lass?

Is it so brave a lass?

Is it so brave a lass?

is it so brave a lass?

CALIBAN ≋ verse

Ay, lord, she will become thy bed, I warrant,

And bring thee forth brave brood.

Ay, lord, she will become your bed, I warrant, And bring you forth brave brood.

Ay, lord, she will become your bed, I warrant, And bring you forth brave brood.

ay, lord, she will become thy bed, i warrant, and bring thee forth brave brood.

STEPHANO

Monster, I will kill this man. His daughter and I will be king and

queen,—save our graces!—and Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys.

Dost thou like the plot, Trinculo?

Monster, I will kill this man. His daughter and I will be king and queen,—save our graces!—and Trinculo and thyself will be viceroys. Dost you like the plot, Trinculo?

Monster, I will kill this man. His daughter and I will be king and queen,—save our graces!—and Trinculo and thyself will be viceroys. Dost you like the plot, Trinculo?

monster, i will kill this man. his daughter and i will be king and queen,—save our graces!—and trinculo and thyself shal

TRINCULO

Excellent.

Excellent.

Excellent.

excellent.

STEPHANO

Give me thy hand: I am sorry I beat thee; but while thou liv’st, keep a

good tongue in thy head.

Give me your hand: I am sorry I beat you; but while you liv’st, keep a good tongue in your head.

Give me your hand: I am sorry I beat you; but while you liv’st, keep a good tongue in your head.

give me thy hand: i am sorry i beat thee; but while thou liv’st, keep a good tongue in thy head.

CALIBAN ≋ verse

Within this half hour will he be asleep.

Wilt thou destroy him then?

Within this half hour will he be asleep. Wilt you destroy him then?

Within this half hour will he be asleep. Wilt you destroy him then?

within this half hour will he be asleep. wilt thou destroy him then?

STEPHANO

Ay, on mine honour.

Ay, on mine honour.

Ay, on mine honour.

ay, on mine honour.

ARIEL

This will I tell my master.

This will I tell my master.

This will I tell my master.

this will i tell my master.

🎭 Dramatic irony Ariel says 'This will I tell my master' out loud — but only the audience hears it. The conspirators have no idea they've been overheard and the plan reported.
CALIBAN ≋ verse

Thou mak’st me merry. I am full of pleasure.

Let us be jocund: will you troll the catch

You taught me but while-ere?

you mak’st me merry. I am full of pleasure. Let us be jocund: will you troll the catch You taught me but while-before?

you mak’st me merry. I am full of pleasure. Let us be jocund: will you troll the catch You taught me but while-before?

thou mak’st me merry. i am full of pleasure. let us be jocund: will you troll the catch you taught me but while-ere?

STEPHANO

At thy request, monster, I will do reason, any reason. Come on,

Trinculo, let us sing.

At your request, monster, I will do reason, any reason. Come on, Trinculo, let us sing.

At your request, monster, I will do reason, any reason. Come on, Trinculo, let us sing.

at thy request, monster, i will do reason, any reason. come on, trinculo, let us sing.

[_Sings._]
_Flout ’em and cout ’em,
and scout ’em and flout ’em:
Thought is free._
CALIBAN

That’s not the tune.

That’s not the tune.

That’s not the tune.

that’s not the tune.

[_Ariel plays the tune on a tabor and pipe._]
STEPHANO

What is this same?

What is this same?

What is this same?

what is this same?

TRINCULO

This is the tune of our catch, played by the picture of Nobody.

This is the tune of our catch, played by the picture of Nobody.

This is the tune of our catch, played by the picture of Nobody.

this is the tune of our catch, played by the picture of nobody.

STEPHANO

If thou beest a man, show thyself in thy likeness: if thou beest a

devil, take ’t as thou list.

If you beest a man, show thyself in your likeness: if you beest a devil, take ’t as you list.

If you beest a man, show thyself in your likeness: if you beest a devil, take ’t as you list.

if thou beest a man, show thyself in thy likeness: if thou beest a devil, take ’t as thou list.

TRINCULO

O, forgive me my sins!

O, forgive me my sins!

O, forgive me my sins!

o, forgive me my sins!

STEPHANO

He that dies pays all debts: I defy thee. Mercy upon us!

He that dies pays all debts: I defy you. Mercy upon us!

He that dies pays all debts: I defy you. Mercy upon us!

he that dies pays all debts: i defy thee. mercy upon us!

CALIBAN

Art thou afeard?

are you afeard?

are you afeard?

art thou afeard?

STEPHANO

No, monster, not I.

No, monster, not I.

No, monster, not I.

no, monster, not i.

CALIBAN

Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises,

Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises,

Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises,

be not afeard. the isle is full of noises,

Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices,
That, if I then had wak’d after long sleep,
Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming,
The clouds methought would open and show riches
Ready to drop upon me; that, when I wak’d,
I cried to dream again.
STEPHANO

This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I shall have my music for

nothing.

This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I will have my music for nothing.

This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I will have my music for nothing.

this will prove a brave kingdom to me, where i shall have my music for nothing.

CALIBAN

When Prospero is destroyed.

When Prospero is destroyed.

When Prospero is destroyed.

when prospero is destroyed.

STEPHANO

That shall be by and by: I remember the story.

That will be by and by: I remember the story.

That will be by and by: I remember the story.

that shall be by and by: i remember the story.

TRINCULO

The sound is going away. Let’s follow it, and after do our work.

The sound is going away. Let’s follow it, and after do our work.

The sound is going away. Let’s follow it, and after do our work.

the sound is going away. let’s follow it, and after do our work.

STEPHANO

Lead, monster: we’ll follow. I would I could see this taborer! he lays

it on. Wilt come?

Lead, monster: we’ll follow. I would I could see this taborer! he lays it on. Wilt come?

Lead, monster: we’ll follow. I would I could see this taborer! he lays it on. Wilt come?

lead, monster: we’ll follow. i would i could see this taborer! he lays it on. wilt come?

TRINCULO

I’ll follow, Stephano.

I’ll follow, Stephano.

I’ll follow, Stephano.

i’ll follow, stephano.

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

The comic subplot goes dark — Caliban's murder plan is entirely serious even when the company around him is drunk and squabbling. Ariel's invisible voice-throwing turns the conspirators against each other before they can turn against Prospero, and Caliban's 'isle is full of noises' speech arrives as a sudden, heartbreaking glimpse of beauty in the middle of a murder plot. The scene ends with them chasing invisible music — the enchanted island doing what the enchanted island does.

If this happened today…

Three disgruntled employees plan to sabotage their boss at the office retreat. The plans are interrupted because one of them keeps getting blamed for saying things he didn't say — someone else in the room is messing with the group chat. They end up chasing a Spotify playlist no one started.

Continue to 3.3 →