quotes – The Tempest

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.” (4.1) Prospero is talking Miranda and Ferdinand after the play about man’s nature
He “serves in offices that profit us.” (1.2) Prospero talking to Miranda about Caliban and how they need him to work for him
“Dolor comes to he indeed.” (2.1) Gonzalo talking to Sebastian about how Alonso is depressed about Ferdinand’s death
“Methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him; his complexion is perfect gallows. Stand fast good Fate, to his hanging; make the rope of his destiny our cable…” (1.1) Gonzalo is saying to the boatswain that since the boatswain is destined to be hanged, they won’t drown
“I’ th’ commonwealth I would by contraries Execute all things. For no kinds of traffic Would I admit; no name of magistrate; Letters should not be known; riches, poverty, And use of services, none…” (2.1) Gonzalo talking to Antonio and others about his utopia
“A plague upon the tyrant that I serve! I’ll bear him no more sticks, but follow thee, Thou wondrous man.” (2.2) Caliban is telling Stephano that he will serve him rather than Prospero
“All three of them are desperate; their great guilt, Like poison given to work a great time after…” (3.3) Gonzalo talking to the other men about Sebastian, Antonio, and Alonso and how their guilt is making them crazy with despair.
“Old lord, I cannot blame thee, Who am myself attached with weariness To th’ dulling of my spirits. Sit down and rest. Even here I will put off my hope, and keep it no longer for my flatterer; he is drowned.” (3.3) Alonso telling that he understands that Gonzalo wants to stop and rest.
“Now does my project gather to an end.” (5.1) Prospero to Ariel saying how his plans are coming to a climax.
“By my so potent art. By this rough magic I abjure.” (5.1) Prospero thinking aloud about how he is surrendering his magic.
“You taught me language , and my profit on’t Is I know had to curse. The red plague rid you For learning me your language” (1.2) Caliban is talking to Prospero. Talking about how Caliban used to be innocent and pure, until Prospero came to the island and showed him the nature of man.
“‘I have seen thee in her, and I do adore thee. My mistress showed me thee, and thy dog, and thy bush.’ ‘Come, swear to that. Kiss the book'” (2.2). Caliban swears his loyalty to Trinculio and Stephano, who take advantage of Caliban’s religious ideas to have power over him. However, they have no real concern for him, and most of what they say is mocking him.
“Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises, Sounds and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not” (3.2) Caliban is talking to Stephano and Trinculo after they hear Ariel playing music. After hearing the noises, Caliban is assuring Stephano and Trinculo that the noises are good and will not hurt you. Later he says that all this music will be heard more often once Prospero is killed.
“I had forgot that foul conspiracy/ of the beast Caliban and his confederates/ Against my life.” (4.1) Prospero speaks aloud to Miranda and Ferdinand. Prospero remembers the impending threat that Caliban has posed to kill him. This ends the ceremony that Prospero had created for Ferdinand and Miranda. Prospero then comes to the realization how the world is insubstantial.
¨And these mine enemies are all knit up in their distractions. They are now in my power; And in these fits I leave them while I visit Young Ferdinand, whom they supposed is drowned, and his and mine loved darling.¨ (3.3) Prospero says this to himself after he confused Alonso, Antonio, and Gonzalo with the spirits and banquet. This is where Prospero decides that instead of getting revenge and killing them, he will leave them as they are.
“O, out of that no hope / What great hope have you! No hope that way is / Another way so high a hope that even / Ambition cannot pierce…” (2.1) Antonio says this to Sebastian when he first proposes the idea to take Alonso and Ferdinand’s throne. The “no hope” he mentions is in regards to Ferdinand’s survival.
“O, a cherubin/ Thou wast that did preserve me. Thou didst smile,/ Infused with a fortitude from heaven” (1.2) Prospero says this to Miranda as he describes how Miranda helped him get through their terrible voyage to the island, after being thrown into barrel and put out to sea.
“Yet with my nobler reason ‘gainst my fury/ Do I take part. The rarer action is/ virtue than in vengeance” (5.1) Prospero says this to Ariel after deciding to forgive his enemies and do what is right rather than try to get revenge. This quote shows how Prospero has internally changed.
“O, wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, that has such people in’t!” (5.1) Miranda says this when she sees all of Prospero’s enemies at the end. This shows Miranda’s innocence because she is amazed by the sight of humans, despite the fact that they are traitors and liars.
“Thy case, dear friend,/Shall be my precedent: as thou got’st Milan,/I’ll come by Naples. Draw thy sword. One stroke/Shall free thee from the tribute which thou payest” (2.1) Sebastian is saying this to Antonio because of their conspiracy in taking the throne of Naples. Sebastian views Antonio as his role model and aspires to be just like him and take the throne of Naples just like Antonio took the throne of Milan.
“While you here do snoring lie,/Open-eyed conspiracy/His time doth take./If of life you keep a care,/Shake off slumber and beware./Awake, awake!” (2.1) Ariel is singing to Gonzalo to wake him up so that he will not be killed by Antonio and Sebastian.
“When the sea is. Hence! What cares these roarers for the name of king? To cabin, silence! Trouble us not” (1.1) The boatswain states that the storm does not care who it is attacking to Gonzalo, Antonio, Alonso, and Sebastian. Illustrates that havoc creates a situation in which class is very unimportant.
“So glad of this as they I cannot be, / Who are surprised withal; but my rejoicing / At nothing can be more. I’ll to my book, / For yet ere suppertime must I perform / Much business appertaining” (3.1) After Prospero witnesses Ferdinand and Miranda exchange wedding vows in secret, he comes to the realization that his revenge-seeking quest is worthless, and he should instead forgive his enemies.
“But I feel not/ This deity in my bosom. Twenty consciences/ That stand ‘twixt me and Milan, candied be they/ And melt ere they molest!” (2.1) Antonio is trying to persuade Sebastian to kill his brother and that he will not feel guilty.
July 13, 2019