teaching materials by mrcampora liceoscientificoamanteacs
The Tempest (1611)
by William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
PLOT. The magician Prospero, rightful Duke of Milan, and his daughter, Miranda, have been
stranded for twelve years on an island after Prospero's jealous brother Antonio (helped by
Alonso, the King of Naples) deposed him and set him adrift with the then-3-year-old Miranda.
Gonzalo, the King's counsellor, had secretly supplied their boat with plenty of food, water,
clothes and the most-prized books from Prospero's library. Possessing magic powers due to
his great learning, Prospero is reluctantly served by a spirit, Ariel, whom Prospero had rescued
from a tree in which he had been trapped by the witch Sycorax. Prospero maintains Ariel's
loyalty by repeatedly promising to release the "airy spirit" from servitude. Sycorax had been
banished to the island, and had died before Prospero's arrival. Her son, Caliban, a deformed
monster and the only non-spiritual inhabitant before the arrival of Prospero, was initially
adopted and raised by him. He taught Prospero how to survive on the island, while Prospero
and Miranda taught Caliban religion and their own language. Following Caliban's attempted
rape of Miranda, he had been compelled by Prospero to serve as the magician's slave. In
slavery, Caliban has come to view Prospero as a usurper and has grown to resent him and his
daughter. Prospero and Miranda in turn view Caliban with contempt and disgust.
from Wikipedia
Excerpt 1. Prospero and Ariel, act 1, scene 2. Ariel has just
reported about the tempest and the passengers safe.
teaching materials by mrcampora
liceoscientificoamanteacs
ARIEL - Is there more toil? Since thou give me pains
Let me remember thee what thou hast promis’d
Which is not yet perform’d me.
PROSPERO - How now? moodie?
What is't thou canst demand?
ARIEL - My Libertie.
PROSPERO - Before the time be out? No more!
ARIEL - I prethee,
Remember I have done thee worthy service,
Told thee no lies, made thee no mistakings, serv'd
Without or grudge, or grumblings; thou did promise
To bate me a full year.
PROSPERO - Dost thou forget
From what a torment I did free thee?
ARIEL. No.
PROSPERO - Thou dost: & thinkst 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
ARIEL - I do not Sir.
PROSPERO - Thou liest, malignant thing: hast thou forgot
The fowl witch Sycorax, who with age and envy
Was grown into a hoop? Hast thou forgot her?
Excerpt 2. Prospero and Caliban, from act 1 scene 2.
CALIBAN - 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 stroakst me, & 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 charmes
Of Sycorax: toades, beetles, bats light on you!
For I am all the subiects 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.
PROSPERO - 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 honor of my child.
CALIBAN - O ho, O ho! Would't had bene done!
Thou didst prevent me, I had peopl'd else
Excerpt 3. Caliban talks about the island, act 3, scene 2.
CALIBAN - 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 sometime voices
That, if I then had waked 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 waked
I cried to dream again.
Excerpt 4. Prospero leaves his magic powers, act 5 scene 1.
PROSPERO - [...]
Have waked their sleepers, oped, and let 'em forth
By my so potent art. But this rough magic
I here abjure. I'll break my staff,
Bury it certain fathoms in the earth,
And, deeper than did ever plummet sound,
I'll drown my book.
Excerpt 5. Miranda sees Alonso and others, act 5 scene 1.
MIRANDA - Oh Wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has such people in't!
Excerpt 6. Prospero speaks after the actors have left the
stage, it’s the Epilogue.
PROSPERO - Now my charms are all o'erthrown,
And what strength I have's mine own,
Which is most faint: now, 'tis true,
I must be here confined by you,
Or sent to Naples. Let me not,
Since I have my dukedom got
And pardon'd the deceiver, dwell
In this bare island by your spell;
But release me from my bands
With the help of your good hands:
Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill, or else my project fails,
Which was to please. Now I want
Spirits to enforce, art to enchant,
And my ending is despair,
Unless I be relieved by prayer,
Which pierces so that it assaults
Mercy itself and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardon'd be,
Let your indulgence set me free.