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 you've used your magic, my dearest father, to make these wild waters roar like this, please calm them down. The sky seems like it would pour down burning tar, But the sea rises up so high it knocks out the fire. Oh! I've suffered Together with those people I saw suffering! A magnificent ship, That surely had some noble person in her, Was smashed to pieces. Oh, the screaming struck Right against my very heart. Poor people, they died. If I'd had any godlike power, I would Have sunk the sea into the earth before It could have swallowed that good ship And the precious souls within her.
Dad, if you've used your magic to cause this storm, can you please stop it? The sky looks like it's raining fire, and the sea's so high it's putting out the flames. I've been going crazy watching people suffer—there was this amazing ship with people who must have been important, and it just smashed to pieces. Hearing them scream broke my heart. Those poor people didn't make it. Honestly, if I had the power, I would've sunk the ocean into the ground before letting that ship go down with everyone in it.
dad if you made this storm pls stop it 😭 the sky's literally burning and the sea is INSANE i can't handle watching ppl suffer like this that ship w nobles just destroyed the screaming... i can't if i had power i'd bury the ocean before letting them die
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.
Calm yourself. No more being amazed. Tell your sad heart That there's no harm done.
Take it easy. Stop freaking out. Everything's actually fine—nobody got hurt.
chill out ok no one got hurt it's fine
O, woe the day!
Oh, what a terrible day!
Oh my God, this is awful!
this is the worst day ever
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've done nothing except out of concern for you, For you, my dear one, you, my daughter, who Don't know what you are, knowing nothing About where I come from, or that I'm more important Than Prospero, master of a poor little cell, And your no greater father.
Nobody's hurt. Everything I've done has been to protect you. You're my daughter, and you don't even know who you really are. You don't know where I'm from or that I'm actually more than just some guy running this tiny place. You think your father's nobody.
no harm done everything i do is to protect u u don't even know who u really are i'm more than just a guy in a small cell
More to know
Did never meddle with my thoughts.
I never wanted to know more About those things.
I've never really cared about any of that.
never really cared about that stuff
’Tis time
I should inform thee farther. Lend thy hand,
And pluck my magic garment from me.—So:
It's time I should tell you more. Give me your hand, And take off my magic robe for me.—Here:
Okay, now I'm going to tell you everything. Give me your hand and help me take off this magic robe.
time to tell u everything give me ur hand help me w this robe
Lie there my art. Wipe thou thine eyes; have comfort.
The direful spectacle of the wrack, which touch’d
The very virtue of compassion in thee,
I have with such provision in mine art
So safely ordered that there is no soul—
No, not so much perdition as an hair
Betid to any creature in the vessel
Which thou heard’st cry, which thou saw’st sink. Sit down;
For thou must now know farther.
Let my magical power rest here. Wipe your eyes and take comfort. The terrible sight of the shipwreck that moved your compassion so deeply—I've arranged it safely with my magic. Not a single person, not even one hair, was harmed among any creature in that vessel whose cries you heard and whose sinking you watched. Sit down; you need to know more.
Here's my magical power at work. Wipe your tears and don't worry. That terrible shipwreck you saw breaking your heart? I arranged it with my magic so nobody got hurt. Nobody on that ship suffered any damage, even though you heard them screaming and saw it sink. Sit down because I have much more to tell you.
dont cry i protected everyone no one got hurt sit down and listen
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've often Started to tell me what I am, but stopped, And left me wondering without any answers, Always saying "Wait, not yet."
You've always started to explain who I really am and then just stopped. You'd leave me hanging, wondering, always saying "Not now."
u always start telling me who i am then just... stop? always "not yet" so frustrating
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 time has come now, This very moment tells you to listen carefully; Obey and pay attention. Can you remember A time before we came to this cell? I don't think you can, because you were then Not even three years old.
The time is right now. This is the moment you need to really listen to me. Can you remember anything from before we came here? I doubt it—you were barely three years old.
it's time. listen up do u remember b4 we came here? prob not. u were only 3
Certainly, sir, I can.
Yes, certainly, I can.
Actually, I do remember some things.
yeah i do remember some stuff
By what? By any other house, or person?
Of anything the image, tell me, that
Hath kept with thy remembrance.
By what? By some other house, or person? Tell me about anything—an image or something— That stayed in your memory.
Like what? Do you remember a house or someone? Tell me what you actually remember.
like what? a house? someone? tell me what u remember
’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?
It's far away, And feels more like a dream than something real That my memory can guarantee. Did I not Have four or five women once who took care of me?
It's so distant and vague—it's more like a dream than something I'm actually sure about. I feel like there were maybe four or five women who looked after me, right?
it's fuzzy feels like a dream not real memory weren't there like 5 women taking care of me?
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 did, and more, Miranda. But how is this Fresh in your mind? What else do you see In the far distant past and emptiness of time? If you remember anything before you came here, How you came here, you can tell me.
You did—and more than that, actually. But I'm amazed you remember this. What else can you recall from way back then? If you remember anything about how we got here or where we came from, you can tell me.
u did, plus more but how do u remember that? what else u recall from back then? if u remember how we got here tell me
But that I do not.
But I don't.
But I don't remember anything about that.
nope don't remember
Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve year since,
Thy father was the Duke of Milan, and
A prince of power.
Twelve years ago, Miranda, twelve years ago, Your father was the Duke of Milan, and A prince of great power.
Twelve years ago, Miranda, your father was the Duke of Milan. He was a powerful prince.
12 yrs ago ur dad was Duke of Milan a powerful prince
Sir, are not you my father?
Sir, aren't you my father?
Wait—aren't you my father?
wait ur not my dad?
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 woman of great virtue, and She told you that you were my daughter. And your father Was Duke of Milan, and his only heir And princess, no less accomplished.
Your mother was a truly virtuous woman, and she assured you that you were my daughter. Your father was the Duke of Milan, and you were his only heir, a princess who was every bit as accomplished.
ur mom was amazing & she said u were my daughter UR dad was Duke of Milan u were his only heir, a princess
O, the heavens!
What foul play had we that we came from thence?
Or blessed was’t we did?
Oh, the heavens! What terrible thing happened to us that we left there? Or were we blessed to leave?
Oh my God! What happened to us? Did something bad happen or did we escape to something better?
wait what happened?? did something bad force us out or were we lucky to leave?
Both, both, my girl.
By foul play, as thou say’st, were we heav’d thence;
But blessedly holp hither.
Both, both, my girl. We were driven out by terrible treachery, as you said; But we were blessed to come here.
Both, sweetheart. We were forced out by someone's evil plot, but we got lucky coming here.
both babe we got pushed out by betrayal but we got blessed ending up here
O, my heart bleeds
To think o’ th’ teen that I have turn’d you to,
Which is from my remembrance. Please you, farther.
Oh, my heart breaks Thinking about the sadness I must have caused you Something that I have no memory of. Please, tell me more.
Oh God, my heart breaks thinking about how much trouble I caused you when I was little and don't even remember it. Please, just tell me what happened.
my heart breaks 😭 i caused u so much trouble & don't even remember just tell me what happened pls
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, called Antonio— I need you to listen carefully, that a brother could Be so treacherous!—he, whom after you I loved most in all the world, and to him I gave Control of my state; at that time It was known throughout all the government as the most important, And I, Prospero, was the chief duke, being so regarded For my position and for knowledge of the liberal arts, Without equal. Those subjects being all I studied, I left the government to my brother, And grew distant from my duties, lost In secret magical learning. Your false uncle— Are you listening to me?
My brother, your uncle Antonio—and I need you to understand how betrayed I was, because a brother was willing to do this—I loved him more than anyone except you. I gave him complete control of my government. At the time, Milan was one of the most important states in the region, and I was recognized everywhere as the leading duke, respected both for my rank and for my knowledge of the arts and sciences. But because I was so focused on studying those things, I handed the government over to Antonio and basically abandoned my duties, spending all my time on magical research. Your uncle turned out to be completely untrustworthy—are you following me?
my brother antonio ur uncle & he was SUCH a backstabber i loved him more than anyone but u gave him control of everything i was the top duke but i was obsessed w magic so i just... let him take over listening?
Sir, most heedfully.
Sir, I'm listening very carefully.
Yes, sir, I'm paying close attention.
im listening closely
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.
Once he learned how to grant requests for favors, How to refuse them, who to promote and who To punish for trying too hard, with this new power He changed the officials who were mine, I mean, or replaced them, Or reshaped them entirely: having both The power of appointment and the offices themselves, he bent everyone's loyalty To whatever pleased him: so that soon he became Like the ivy that hid my princely trunk, And sucked my strength away. You're not paying attention.
Once he figured out how to grant favors, deny them, promote people, and demote people, he basically restructured the entire government. He had control of who got appointed and what they did, so he could make everyone do whatever he wanted. He became like ivy wrapped around a tree trunk, strangling it and draining all its life force. You're zoning out.
he figured out how to give favors deny them promote fire whoever full control of gov made ppl loyal to HIM not me like ivy choking a tree sucking out all the life u not listening rn???
O, good sir! I do.
Oh, good sir! I am.
I am listening, I promise.
i am i'm listening!!
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?
Pay close attention. I, while ignoring worldly responsibilities, completely dedicated To privacy and improving my knowledge With learning that was only valued so highly because I kept it isolated, Awakened in my false brother an evil nature; and my trust, Like a generous parent, gave birth from him to A betrayal as extreme and opposite As my trust was complete; and my trust had no limits, Boundless confidence. Once he had this power given to him, Not just with what my income produced, But with what my authority could demand, like someone Who by repeating a lie Has confused his own memory with it, Became a liar himself, he came to believe He actually was the Duke; through taking on the role And performing the outward display of royalty, With all its rights. From this his ambition grew— Are you listening?
Listen carefully. I neglected all my actual duties and shut myself away, completely focused on studying knowledge that seemed valuable mainly because I kept it private and separate. That awakened something evil in my brother. My trust was complete and unlimited—I gave him everything—so his betrayal was equally complete. He didn't just have my income to work with; he had the power to make demands in my name. He became like someone who's repeated a lie so often he actually believes it now. He started to genuinely think he was the Duke—and by acting like a duke and performing all the royal duties, with all the power that came with it, he became convinced it was real. That's when his ambition really took off—you still with me?
i was obsessed w my studies ignored everything else that awakened his evil side i trusted him completely boundless trust so he betrayed me completely he had all my power started acting like he WAS the duke believed his own lie ambition took over listening?
Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.
Your story, sir, would make even a deaf person hear.
Your story is so powerful it would make even a deaf person listen.
ur story is so intense even deaf ppl would listen
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 separation between the role he played And the man he was playing it for, he wanted to be Absolute Duke of Milan. Me, a poor man, my library Was kingdom enough for me: he thinks me incapable now Of having power; he makes alliances, So desperate was his hunger for control, with the King of Naples To have him pay him tributes each year, to show obedience, Subject his crown to that king's crown, and reduce The dukedom, which had never bowed—oh, poor Milan!— To the most shameful surrender.
He wanted to completely erase the line between acting as duke and actually being duke. He wanted absolute power. I was happy with just my books and my studies—I didn't care about politics. But he decided I was too weak to hold power anymore, so he made a deal with the King of Naples. Antonio basically became his puppet, agreeing to pay tribute every year, to bow to the King, and to make Milan subject to Naples. He turned Milan, which had always been proud and independent, into something ashamed and defeated.
he wanted to BE the duke completely not just pretend i was fine w my books but he thought i was weak so he made a deal w King of Naples antonio became his puppet milan had to pay tributes bow submit milan went from proud to shameful
O the heavens!
Oh, the heavens!
Oh, my goodness!
omg
Mark his condition, and the event; then tell me
If this might be a brother.
Look at what he did, and how it turned out; then tell me If this could be something a brother would do.
Think about that—what he actually did and how it ended up. Could a real brother do something like that?
that's what ur uncle did could a real brother do that??
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.
It would be a sin For me to think badly of my grandmother. Good mothers have borne wicked sons.
It would be wrong for me to blame your grandmother. Good women have given birth to terrible sons.
can't blame ur grandma good women have bad kids all the time
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.
Here's what happened. The King of Naples, who was already hostile to me, Listens to my brother's proposal; Which was that he, in return for Swearing obedience and tributes—I don't know exactly how much, Would immediately remove me and my family From the dukedom, and give beautiful Milan With all its honors to my brother: in exchange, A traitorous army was gathered, chosen For this exact purpose, and one midnight Antonio opened The gates of Milan; and, in the dead of night, The officials assigned to this task rushed away with Me and you, crying as a baby.
Here's what happened. The King of Naples was already my enemy, so when Antonio proposed this deal, he jumped at it. The king offered to remove me and you from Milan completely in exchange for tribute payments and obedience. Antonio got a traitorous army together—they were specifically picked for this job—and one night he opened the city gates. In the darkness, the soldiers who were assigned to carry out the plot rushed us out of Milan. You were just a baby, crying the whole time.
King of Naples was already against me antonio proposed a deal: tribute & obedience in exchange king would remove us from milan they gathered an army one midnight antonio opened gates in the dark soldiers rushed us out u were screaming baby
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.
Oh, such a loss! I don't remember crying then, But I'll cry it all over again: just thinking about it Makes my eyes fill with tears.
Oh God, that's so sad! I don't remember crying back then, but just thinking about it makes me cry now. It hits me really hard.
oh my god 😭 don't remember it but now i can't stop crying this is breaking my heart
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.
Listen a little longer, And then I'll show you what's happening to us right now; Without knowing which, This whole story wouldn't matter.
Hang with me for a bit longer, and then I'll explain what's actually going on right now. You need to know this part—otherwise everything I've just told you won't make sense.
stick w me i'll tell u what's happening rn u need to know why i'm telling u all this
Wherefore did they not
That hour destroy us?
Why didn't they Destroy us that same hour?
Why didn't they just kill us right then?
why didn't they kill us then?
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.
Good question, my child: My story leads to that. Dear, they didn't dare, Because the love my people had for me was so strong, and they wouldn't Make such a bloody scene in public; but instead They covered up their evil actions with appearances of honor. Basically, they rushed us onto a boat, Took us some distance out to sea, where they prepared A falling-apart, broken boat, not equipped, No ropes, no sails, no mast; even the rats Had abandoned it instinctively. They threw us in there, To call out to the sea that roared back; to sigh To the winds, who, pitying us, sighed back too, And did us only a loving harm.
That's the thing—they didn't dare. My people loved me too much. They didn't want to make a scene, but they still tried to hide what they were really doing. So they threw us on a boat and took us out to sea. Then they put us on this falling-apart wreck of a ship—no sails, no mast, no rigging. Even the rats had left it. They basically left us there to scream to the ocean, to beg the wind for help. And the wind pitied us and blew us in a way that actually helped us, but it was rough.
they were scared my ppl loved me too much so they didn't kill us threw us on a boat took us to sea put us on a falling apart wreck no mast no sails nothing we just screamed at the ocean wind pitied us & blew us somewhere good but rough af
Alack, what trouble
Was I then to you!
Oh, what trouble Was I to you then!
I must have been such a burden on you back then.
i must have been so much trouble for u 😭
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.
Oh, you were like an angel Who saved me. You smiled, Filled with strength from heaven, When I cried in despair, and the sea was covered with my salt tears, I groaned under the weight: which gave me The courage to survive, To endure whatever would come next.
You were like an angel who kept me alive. You smiled—and your smile had this heavenly strength to it—right when I was crying in despair, tears streaming into the ocean. I was groaning with the weight of everything, and your smile gave me the strength to keep going, to face whatever came next.
u were like an angel smiling when i was breaking down u gave me strength to survive to keep going no matter what
How came we ashore?
How did we get to shore?
How did we actually make it to land?
how'd we get to shore tho?
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 luck and divine help. We had some food and some fresh water that A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo, Out of his kindness, who had been placed In charge of this plan, gave us, along with Rich clothes, linens, supplies, and essentials, Which have been very useful since: so, because of his generosity, Knowing I loved my books, he gave me From my own library some books that I value more than my dukedom.
Luck and providence. We had some food and water because a good man named Gonzalo—he was a Neapolitan noble put in charge of the whole operation—slipped us supplies out of kindness. He gave us fancy clothes, linens, and everything we needed to survive. And he knew how much I loved books, so he snuck some of my books onto the boat. I treasure those books more than I ever treasured being a duke.
luck & providence gonzalo was a noble in charge kind guy snuck us food water clothes supplies knew i loved books stole some of mine for me i love those books more than being duke
Would I might
But ever see that man!
I would wish That I could see that man!
I really hope I get to see him again!
i hope i see him again someday
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.
I'm about to take action. Sit still and listen to the last of our story of loss at sea. Here on this island we arrived; and here I, your teacher, have given you more education Than other princes get, who have more time For idle pursuits, and tutors not as dedicated.
Okay, I need to get moving now. But sit and listen to the end of this story. We ended up here on this island, and I've been your teacher. You've gotten a better education than most princes get, because I'm dedicated and we don't waste time on frivolous things.
ok i gotta go but listen to the end we landed on this island i taught u u got better education than most princes cuz i actually care
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?
I thank the heavens for that! And now, please, sir, Because I keep thinking about it, why did you Cause this sea storm?
Thank you so much for that! But I keep wondering—why did you create that storm we just saw?
thank u for everything! but like... why'd u make that storm??
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 this much. By an incredible stroke of luck, bountiful Fortune, Now my dear ally, has brought my enemies To this shore; and by my knowledge of the future I can tell that my success depends on A very favorable star, and if I don't pursue this chance now But neglect it, my luck Will fall forever after. Stop asking questions now; You're starting to feel sleepy; that's a good drowsiness, And let it take over. I know you can't help it.
Here's the thing. By sheer incredible luck, fate brought my enemies to this island. And I've worked out through magic that my success depends on a specific moment that's happening right now. If I don't take this chance, my luck is finished—forever. So stop asking questions. You're getting sleepy, and that's good. Just go with it. I know you can't fight it.
here's it: by crazy luck my enemies landed on this island my success depends on what happens NOW if i miss this moment it's over forever stop asking questions u getting sleepy that's good just go to sleep
Come away, servant, come! I am ready now.
Approach, my Ariel. Come!
Come here, servant, come! I'm ready now. Come closer, my Ariel. Come!
Get over here, servant! I'm ready for you. Come on, Ariel! Come here!
come here im ready ariel come now
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.
Greetings, great master! I bow to you, sir! I come To do whatever you want; whether it's to fly, To swim, to dive into fire, to ride On the curled clouds, to carry out Your strong commands—I Ariel and all my power.
Hey, great master! I'm here to do whatever you need. I can fly, swim, dive into fire, ride through clouds—whatever you want me to do, I'm ready to do it.
hey master! ready to do whatever u need fly swim dive into fire ride clouds just say the word
Hast thou, spirit,
Perform’d to point the tempest that I bade thee?
Have you, spirit, Carried out perfectly the storm that I ordered you to make?
Did you pull off that storm exactly the way I told you to?
did u do the storm right?
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.
Perfectly. I boarded the King's ship; now at the front, Now in the middle, on the deck, in every room, I made flames of terror; sometimes I'd split apart, And burn in multiple places; on the top mast, The sails and the front pole, I'd burn separately, Then come together and join. Lightning from Zeus, the warning before The dreadful thunder itself, was not faster Or more sudden than what I did: the fire and the sounds Of loud sulfurous roaring made the mighty ocean god Seem to attack and shake his powerful waves with fear, Yes, made his feared trident shake.
Perfectly. I went onto the King's ship and appeared at the front, then the middle, then everywhere on deck. I made terrifying flames appear all over the place—sometimes I'd split into multiple fires, burning in different spots, then come back together. It was faster and more shocking than lightning itself. The roaring sounds were so loud and intense that even Neptune, the ocean god, seemed to be under attack. I made his own trident shake.
perfect i went on the king's ship made flames appear everywhere front middle deck every cabin sometimes i split into multiple fires it was faster than lightning roaring so loud even neptune got scared made his trident shake
My brave spirit!
Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil
Would not infect his reason?
My brave spirit! Who was so strong and determined that this chaos Wouldn't affect his mind?
You did great! Who was stable enough to keep their mind together during all that chaos?
nice work! who was mental enough to stay sane thru that?
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 single person Who didn't feel mad with panic and acted Out of desperation. All except the sailors Threw themselves into the foaming sea and abandoned the ship, All burning with my flames: the King's son, Ferdinand, With his hair standing straight up—like reeds instead of hair— Was the first to leap; he yelled "Hell is empty, And all the devils are here."
Everyone panicked and acted crazy. Except the sailors, everyone threw themselves into the sea trying to escape. They were all freaking out with my flames around them. The King's son Ferdinand was the first one to jump—his hair was literally standing on end like reeds—and he was screaming that hell must be empty because all the devils are here.
everyone went insane jumped in the sea to escape hair standing straight up king's son ferdinand jumped first shouting "hell is empty all the devils r here"
Why, that’s my spirit!
But was not this nigh shore?
That's perfect for my plan! But wasn't this close to shore?
Perfect—that's exactly what I wanted. But this happened near the shore, right?
perfect! but it was close to shore right?
Close by, my master.
Right nearby, my master.
Very close, master.
yeah super close
But are they, Ariel, safe?
Tell me that all these people made it through without any injury or loss of life, Ariel.
But everyone's safe, right?
everyone's safe tho right?
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 single hair was lost; On their water-soaked clothes not a mark, But fresher than before: and, as you ordered me, I've scattered them all across the island. The King's son I've left alone by himself, Whom I left cooling off his feelings with sighs In an odd corner of the island, and he's sitting, His arms folded in this sad pose.
Not one person got hurt. Their clothes don't have a single tear—they actually look better than before. I scattered them all over the island like you told me. I left the King's son by himself in a weird part of the island. He's sitting there sighing, with his arms crossed like he's depressed.
no one hurt clothes have no tears look fresher scattered them around island king's son alone in corner sighing sad arms crossed pose
Of the King’s ship
The mariners, say how thou hast dispos’d,
And all the rest o’ th’ fleet?
About the King's ship— Tell me where you've placed the sailors, And all the rest of the fleet?
What about the King's ship and the rest of the fleet? Where did you put them?
what about the king's ship & the rest of the fleet? where'd u put them?
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 a harbor Is the King's ship; in a deep bay, where once You called me up at midnight to fetch dew From the still-disturbed Bermuda islands; there she's hidden: The sailors are all stored below deck; Who, along with a magical charm added to their work exhaustion, I've left sleeping: and for the rest of the fleet, Which I scattered, they've all come back together, And are in the Mediterranean Sea Headed sadly back to Naples, Believing that they saw the King's ship destroyed, And his important person dead.
The King's ship is safely hidden in a deep cove—you remember that place where you had me fetch magical dew from the Bermuda islands? That's where I put it. The sailors are all locked below decks, and I've put them to sleep using magic combined with their exhaustion. The rest of the fleet I scattered? They've all regrouped and they're heading back to Naples. They think the King's ship was destroyed and that the King is dead.
king's ship hidden in that deep cove u know the one from bermuda sailors locked below sleeping magic + exhaustion rest of fleet thinks king's ship destroyed think king is dead
Ariel, thy charge
Exactly is perform’d; but there’s more work.
What is the time o’ th’ day?
Ariel, your job Is done perfectly; but there's more work to do. What time of day is it?
Ariel, you did your job perfectly. But there's more to do. What time is it?
perfect work ariel but more to do what time is it?
Past the mid season.
Past the middle of the day.
It's past noon.
past noon
At least two glasses. The time ’twixt six and now
Must by us both be spent most preciously.
At least two hours past. The time between six and now Must be used very carefully by both of us.
More like two hours past noon. We have to use every single moment between now and six o'clock carefully.
like 2pm we gotta use every minute til 6pm
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.
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 work? Since you're asking me to do things, Let me remind you of what you promised me, Which you haven't given me yet.
Is there more work? Listen, since you keep asking me to do things, I need to remind you about what you promised me that you still haven't done.
more work? u keep asking me to do stuff but u promised me something remember? u still haven't done it
How now! moody?
What is’t thou canst demand?
What's wrong! Are you unhappy? What is it you can ask for?
Why are you being moody? What exactly do you want?
why u being moody? what do u want?
My liberty.
My liberty.
My liberty.
my liberty.
Before the time be out? No more!
Before the agreed time? Stop it right now!
Before our agreement is up? No way!
not til our deal is done!
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'm asking you To remember that I've done you good service; I told you no lies, made no mistakes, served you Without complaining or grumbling: you promised me To reduce my time by a full year.
Come on, remember—I've done good work for you. I've been honest, I haven't screwed up, I've served without complaining. You promised to cut a year off my service.
remember i've done good work no lies no mistakes no complaining u promised to cut a year off my time
Dost thou forget
From what a torment I did free thee?
Have you forgotten What terrible suffering I freed you from?
Do you forget the hell I saved you from?
u forget i saved u from hell?
No.
No.
No.
no.
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 do, and you think it's hard to walk through the mud Of the salty deep, To run on the sharp wind from the north, To do my business in the veins of the earth When it's hardened with frost.
You do forget, and you think it's so hard to slog through the mud of the ocean, or to ride the harsh northern winds, or to dig through frozen ground doing my work.
u complain about slogging thru ocean mud riding harsh north winds digging thru frozen ground
I do not, sir.
I don't, sir.
I don't complain.
nah i don't
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're lying, you evil creature! Did you forget The terrible witch Sycorax, who with age and hatred Was bent into a hoop? Did you forget her?
You're lying to me, you nasty thing! Do you forget about Sycorax, that wicked witch who was so old and twisted with hate that she was bent over like a hoop? Do you forget about her?
ur lying u evil thing! forget about sycorax that witch? old bent over w hate?
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
no, sir.
Thou hast. Where was she born? Speak; tell me.
You do. Where was she born? Speak; tell me.
You do forget. Where was she from? Tell me.
u forgot. where was she from?
Sir, in Argier.
Sir, in Algiers.
Sir, I was born in Algiers.
algiers sir
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?
Oh, was she? I need to Remind you once a month of what you've been, Which you forget. This cursed witch Sycorax, For many wicked acts and terrible magic That people could barely hear about, from Algeria, You know, was banished: for one thing she did They wouldn't execute her. Is this true?
She was? I should remind you every month about your past because you keep forgetting. That damned witch Sycorax did so many horrible things and practiced such terrible magic that it was barely speakable. She was banished from Algeria for it. They didn't execute her, though—one reason they had for exiling her instead of killing her. You remember that?
yeah she was u keep forgetting ur past so i gotta remind u monthly sycorax cursed witch banished from algeria for evil magic they didn't kill her tho remember?
Ay, sir.
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir, that's true.
yep
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-eyed witch was brought here pregnant, And here was abandoned by the sailors. You, my slave, As you yourself have told me, were her servant; And, because you were a spirit too sensitive To perform her dirty and disgusting orders, Refusing her major demands, she locked you up, With help from her more powerful magical assistants, And in her most impossible-to-stop fury, Into a split pine tree; trapped inside that crack You remained painfully For twelve years; during which time she died, And left you there, where you groaned As fast as a mill wheel turns. Then this island was— Except for the creature that she gave birth to here, A spotted creature, half-formed—not blessed with A human shape.
This blue-eyed hag was brought here while she was pregnant, and the sailors just abandoned her. You were her servant, like you've told me. But you were too refined, too sensitive to do her nasty, degrading work. When you refused to do what she wanted, she imprisoned you inside a split tree trunk with the help of her other magical servants. She trapped you inside that crack for twelve years in agony. Then she died and left you there groaning constantly. The only other thing on this island was the creature she'd given birth to—some twisted, deformed thing—nothing human.
blue-eyed witch brought here pregnant sailors abandoned her u were her servant but u were too good for her nasty work refused her orders she locked u in a split tree for 12 yrs then died left u groaning only other thing here was creature she birthed not human
Yes, Caliban her son.
Exactly—Caliban, the creature she gave birth to and left behind on this island.
Yeah, that's Caliban, her son.
caliban her kid
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.
Stupid creature, I'm saying yes to that; he, that Caliban, Who now I keep as my servant. You know best What torture I found you in; your groans Made wolves howl, and broke through the hearts Of ever-angry bears: it was torture For even the damned to endure, which Sycorax Could not undo; it was my skill, When I arrived and heard you, that made The pine split open, and let you out.
Right, that's who I'm talking about—Caliban, who now works for me. You know what shape I found you in. Your screams were so loud they made wolves howl and even made angry bears weep. It was torture worse than what the damned suffer in hell, and Sycorax couldn't undo it. But when I arrived and heard your screams, I used my magic to split that tree open and set you free.
right caliban who works for me now u know what i found u in ur screams made wolves howl made bears weep worse than hell sycorax couldn't fix it but i came & heard u used my magic to free u
I thank thee, master.
I thank you, master.
I do thank you for that.
i do thank u
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 complain anymore, I will split open an oak tree And trap you inside its twisted roots until You've screamed for twelve winters.
If you complain one more time, I'll split an oak tree open and lock you inside the twisted wood for twelve years of screaming.
complain again & i'll trap u in an oak tree for 12 yrs of screaming
Pardon, master:
I will be correspondent to command,
And do my spriting gently.
Forgive me, master: I will follow your commands, And do my work gently.
I'm sorry, master. I'll do whatever you command, and I'll do it without complaint.
sorry master i'll follow ur commands do my work no complaints
Do so; and after two days
I will discharge thee.
Do that; and after two days I will set you free.
Good. After two more days, you can go free.
good. 2 more days then u free
That’s my noble master!
What shall I do? Say what? What shall I do?
That's my excellent master! What should I do? Tell me? What should I do?
You're the best! What do you want me to do? Just tell me—anything!
ur the best! what u want me to do?? tell me anything!
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 yourself look like a sea nymph. Be visible To no one except you and me; invisible To everyone else. Go, take this form, And come back to me in it. Go, move quickly!
Go transform yourself into a sea nymph. Only you and I can see you—everyone else won't see a thing. Take that shape and come back to me. Hurry!
transform into a sea nymph only u & me can see u invisible to everyone else take the shape come back go now!
Awake, dear heart, awake! thou hast slept well;
Awake!
Wake up, dear one, wake up! You've slept well. Wake up!
Wake up, sweetheart! Wake up! You got good sleep. Come on, wake up!
wake up baby u slept good wake up
[_Waking._] The strangeness of your story put
Heaviness in me.
Your strange story is making me heavy-eyed and sleepy.
Your story was so weird it made me really tired.
your story's so strange made me so drowsy
Shake it off. Come on;
We’ll visit Caliban my slave, who never
Yields us kind answer.
Wake up. Come on; Let's go see Caliban, my servant, who never Gives us a respectful answer.
Wake up. Come on, let's go check on Caliban. He's my servant but he never gives us any respect.
wake up c'mon let's visit caliban he's rude af
’Tis a villain, sir,
I do not love to look on.
He's an evil creature, sir, I hate to even look at him.
He's disgusting. I hate looking at him.
he's gross i hate looking at him
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 the thing is, We can't live without him: he makes our fire, Brings in our firewood; and serves in jobs That help us survive. Listen! Servant! Caliban! You earth creature! Speak.
Yeah, but we can't get rid of him. He makes our fires, brings in firewood, and does other work we need. Hey! Caliban! Come on, speak!
but we need him he makes fires gets wood does work CALIBAN! speak up!
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.
[_Within._] There’s wood enough within.
There's already plenty of wood inside.
There's already enough wood in there.
there's enough wood inside
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.
Come forth, I say; there’s other business for thee.
Come, thou tortoise! when?
Come out, I say; there's other business for you. Come on, you slow creature! When will you come?
Get out here, I'm talking to you. Come on, move it! What's taking you so long?
get out here now! what's taking u so long??
Fine apparition! My quaint Ariel,
Hark in thine ear.
Excellent spirit! My clever Ariel, listen to me speak quietly to you.
You're amazing, Ariel! You clever spirit. Come listen to what I'm about to tell you.
nice work ariel listen i got something for u
My lord, it shall be done.
My lord, I'll do it right away.
Right away, master.
right away boss
Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself
Upon thy wicked dam, come forth!
You poisonous slave, created by the devil itself On your wicked mother, come out!
You poisonous creature, you deserve to be called a devil. Get out here!
u poisonous slave devil creature get out here!
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!
May you both be covered with as foul a dew as my mother ever swept From a stinking swamp with a raven feather! May the southwest wind blast you, And cover you with blisters!
I hope you both get covered in the most disgusting filth. I hope the southwest wind hits you both and gives you horrible blisters!
hope u both get covered in filth hope southwest wind blasts u blister u all over!
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.
You can be sure, tonight you'll have terrible cramps, Side stitches that will squeeze your breath out; little devil spirits Will come out in the night to torment you And test all kinds of painful punishment on you. You'll be pinched As densely as a honeycomb, each pinch more sharp Than the bees that made those honeycombs.
Tonight you're going to be in serious pain—cramps everywhere, sharp stabbing in your sides that'll take your breath away. I'm talking about the kind of torture that'll make you understand what real suffering feels like, worse than any bee sting could ever be.
tonight ur gonna get destroyed cramps n stabbing pains everywhere it's gonna be worse than anything u can imagine
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 need to eat my dinner. This island is mine, by Sycorax my mother, Which you're taking from me. When you first came here, You were kind to me and treated me well; you would give me Water with berries in it; and teach me how To name the sun, and how the moon, That shine by day and night: and then I loved you, And showed you all the resources of this island, The fresh springs, salt pits, barren place, and fertile. I curse myself for doing that! All the curses Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, fall upon you! Because I am all the subjects you have, Which first was my own kingdom; and here you lock me up In this hard rock, while you keep me away from The rest of the island.
I'm hungry, alright? And for the record, this island is mine—my mother Sycorax's island, which you stole from me. When you first showed up, you were actually nice to me. You gave me fruit-flavored water, taught me about the sun and moon and all that. I genuinely loved you for it, showed you every good part of this place—fresh water, salt marshes, everything. Now I curse that. I curse myself for trusting you, and I hope all of Sycorax's dark magic comes down on you. I'm the only subject you've got, and you're basically a prison guard keeping me locked in this rock while you hoard the rest of the island.
i'm starving rn and this island is MINE not urs u were nice to me at first, i loved u for it but now ur just keeping me prisoner i hate that i trusted u
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 punishments might move, not kindness! I have treated you, Filth as you are, with human care, and put you up In my own cell, until you tried to violate The honor of my daughter.
You're a liar and a slave—the only thing that gets through to you is pain, not kindness. And I've been nothing but decent to you despite what you are. I let you live in my own room, treated you like a human being, until you tried to assault my daughter.
ur a liar and u only get it when u hurt where's my kindness gone?? i gave u everything and this is how u repay me
Oh ho! Oh ho! Would ’t had been done!
Thou didst prevent me; I had peopled else
This isle with Calibans.
Oh yes! Oh yes! I wish it had been done! You stopped me; I would have filled This island with little Calibans instead.
Yeah, you heard me right—I wish I had! You're the reason I didn't. I would've populated this whole island with my offspring.
yeah u stopped me i woulda filled this place with my kids i regret it
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.
Hateful slave, Who won't accept any goodness, Being capable of all evil! I pitied you, Took pains to teach you to speak, taught you something new each hour When you didn't know what you were saying, and you would babble like A thing most animal-like, I gave your ideas Words that made them known. But your vile nature, Though you did learn, had something in it that good people Could not bear to be around; therefore you were Rightly confined into this rock, You who deserved even worse than a prison.
You're abhorrent—completely incapable of learning anything good, totally ruled by evil. I actually felt sorry for you, which is why I spent all that time teaching you language. You were just making animal noises before I gave you words to express yourself. But here's the thing: no matter what you learned, there's something fundamentally wrong with your nature that decent people can't stand to be near. That's why you belong here in this rock, and honestly, you deserve even worse.
ur fundamentally broken i taught u how to talk and for what u just used it for evil this rock is where u belong
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 the only good it's done me Is, I know how to curse. May plague destroy you, For teaching me your language!
Great, you taught me your language—and you know what the only useful thing about it is? I can curse you in it. I hope disease wipes you out for teaching me how to talk.
u taught me language so i could curse u better thanks a lot for that
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.
Get out of here, demon-spawn! Go fetch us some firewood; move quickly, that's best, Or go do other work. Are you refusing, you rebellious thing? If you ignore me, or do unwillingly What I command, I'll torture you with terrible cramps, Fill all your bones with aching pain, make you scream, That wild beasts shall tremble at the noise you make.
Get out! Go get us some firewood, and do it now. And don't give me that look—just go do what I say. If you ignore me or drag your feet about anything I command, I'm going to hit you with cramps that'll make your whole body ache, and you're going to scream so loud that animals will run away from you.
get out fetch firewood NOW if u disobey me i'll make u scream bad enough that animals will run
No, pray thee.
No, please.
No, please don't.
no pls
[_Aside._] I must obey. His art is of such power,
It would control my dam’s god, Setebos,
And make a vassal of him.
I must obey. His magic is so powerful it could control my mother's god Setebos and make him a slave.
I have to do what he says. His magic is so strong it could control even my mother's god Setebos and turn him into a servant.
gotta obey his magic's way too strong would control even my mom's god
So, slave, hence!
So, slave, go away!
Now go on, get out of here!
go. now
_Come unto these yellow sands,
And then take hands:
Curtsied when you have, and kiss’d
The wild waves whist.
Foot it featly here and there,
And sweet sprites bear
The burden. Hark, hark!_
Burden dispersedly. _Bow-wow.
The watch dogs bark._
Come to the yellow sandy shore, then hold hands together. After you've curtsied and kissed the gentle waves, dance gracefully back and forth, while sweet spirits carry the chorus. Listen—hear how the watch dogs bark?
Come out to the yellow sandy beach and hold hands. After you curtsy and kiss the waves gently, dance around gracefully, and let the sweet spirits sing the chorus. Listen to that—the watch dogs are barking!
come to the yellow sand hold hands & curtsy kiss the waves & dance sweet spirits singing listen—dogs barking
[Burden dispersedly.] _Bow-wow.
Hark, hark! I hear
The strain of strutting chanticleer
Cry cock-a-diddle-dow._
Listen, listen! I hear the proud rooster's loud crow—cock-a-doodle-doo!
Listen, listen! I can hear that proud rooster crowing away—cock-a-doodle-doo!
listen listen proud rooster crowing cock-a-doodle-doo
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 is this music coming from? From the air or from the earth? It stopped playing; and surely it comes from Some god of this island. Sitting on a bank, Crying again over the King my father's shipwreck, This music crept toward me across the waters, Calming both their fury and my emotion With its sweet sound: and I followed it from there, Or it pulled me rather—but it's gone now. No, it's starting again.
Where is that music coming from? Up in the sky or from the ground? It stopped... but it has to be some kind of god from this island. I was sitting here thinking about my dad's ship going down, totally devastated, and then this beautiful music just drifted across the water to me. It calmed me down, settled my nerves, and I couldn't help but follow it. Or maybe it was pulling me toward it. But it's gone now... wait, no—it's back.
where's that music coming from its magic, i swear it makes me feel less broken oh god it stopped no wait its back
_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._
Thirty feet deep your father lies. His bones have turned into coral. Those that were his eyes are pearls. Nothing of him decays away But transforms through ocean change Into something valuable and strange. Sea-nymphs ring bells for his funeral every hour: Burden: Ding-dong. Listen! now I hear them: ding-dong, bell.
Your father's down thirty feet below the surface. Everything that was his body has turned into something beautiful—his bones became coral, his eyes turned to pearls. Nothing about him just rots away—it all transforms into something rich and different down there in the sea. And all these ocean spirits ring bells for him constantly: Ding-dong. Hear that? That's what they sound like: ding-dong, bell.
ur father's deep down in the ocean he's not gone though his bones r coral now his eyes r pearls the sea spirits ring bells for him ding-dong, listen
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 song reminds me of my drowned father. This is not an ordinary sound, and not something That the earth makes—I can hear it now above me.
That song... it's about my dad dying in the sea. This isn't normal, not anything that comes from the ground or from people. I can hear it clearly now, like it's right above me.
that song is about my dad he drowned and the ocean took him i hear it everywhere
The fringed curtains of thine eye advance,
And say what thou seest yond.
Open the fringed curtains of your eyes, And tell me what you see over there.
Open your eyes wide—I mean, look closely—and tell me what you're looking at over there.
look closely whats that over there
What is’t? a spirit?
Lord, how it looks about! Believe me, sir,
It carries a brave form. But ’tis a spirit.
What is it? A spirit? Sir, how it looks all around! Believe me, sir, It has an impressive form. But it's a spirit.
What is that? Is it a ghost? Wow, look at how it's observing everything! I'm telling you, sir, it's got this noble form—but it has to be a supernatural being.
is that a spirit?? it looks incredible but also weird its definitely not human
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, girl; it eats and sleeps and has such senses As we have, such. This impressive man that you see Was in the shipwreck; and, but he's somewhat stained With grief,—that's what damages beauty,—you might call him A fine-looking person: he has lost his companions And is wandering around to find them.
No, it's human. It needs to eat and sleep, has all the same senses you do. That handsome guy you're looking at was in the shipwreck. Yeah, he's marked by grief right now—grief kind of eats away at beauty—but take it from me, he's a good-looking man. He's lost his friends and is just trying to find them.
he's human girl, chill he was in the wreck he's sad about his friends but he's super handsome just messed up rn from grief
I might call him
A thing divine; for nothing natural
I ever saw so noble.
I might call him Something divine; because nothing natural I ever saw so noble.
I'd call him godlike, honestly. I've never seen anyone so beautiful and perfect-looking.
he looks divine like nothing ive ever seen most beautiful thing ever
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.
[_Aside._] It goes on, I see,
As my soul prompts it. Spirit, fine spirit! I’ll free thee
Within two days for this.
It's working perfectly as I hoped. Fine spirit, I promise I'll set you free within two days for this.
This is going exactly how I wanted. Great spirit, I'm going to free you in two days for helping me with this.
it's working perfectly great spirit i'll free you in 2 days
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 certainly, the goddess Who has these magical songs attending her! Please answer my prayer— May I know if you are living on this island; And that you might give me some instruction How I should behave here: my most important request, Which I'm stating at the end, is: O you miracle! Are you human or not?
You must be a goddess who has these magical songs following her around. Please, I'm begging you—tell me if you actually live on this island and if you can show me how to act here. My main question, which I'm kind of nervous to ask, is: are you human, or are you something else entirely?
ur a goddess right? tell me ur on this island and like... are u even human? i need to know
No wonder, sir;
But certainly a maid.
No miracle, sir; But definitely a human woman.
Nothing divine about me, sir. I'm just a regular human woman.
nope im human im a girl, thats all
My language! Heavens!
I am the best of them that speak this speech,
Were I but where ’tis spoken.
My language! Heavens! I'm the best speaker of this language that exists, If I were just in the place where it's spoken.
You speak my language! Thank the gods! That means I'm literally the most important person who knows this language, at least if I were still in my home country.
u speak MY language im the best person there is at it if i was home i'd be in charge
How! the best?
What wert thou, if the King of Naples heard thee?
What? The best? What would you be, if the King of Naples heard you?
The best? Seriously? What would you be if the King of Naples could hear you talking?
the best? what would u be if the king heard u
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 lonely man, as I am now, who is amazed To hear you mention Naples. But he does hear me; And that he does, I weep: I myself have become Naples, Who with my own eyes, not stopped since then, watched The King my father destroyed in the shipwreck.
I'm alone, which is what I am now—amazed that you even know about Naples. But here's the thing: my father hears me too, because I've become the King of Naples in his place. My eyes haven't stopped crying since I watched him die in that wreck.
i lost everything when the king died i am naples now my eyes havent stopped crying since i watched him go down
Alack, for mercy!
Oh, please have compassion!
Oh my God, that's so sad!
oh no that's awful
Yes, faith, and all his lords, the Duke of Milan,
And his brave son being twain.
Yes, honestly, and all his lords too, the Duke of Milan, And his brave son—both of them.
Yeah, and all his nobles too, including the Duke of Milan and his son—they all went down with him.
yeah the duke of milan too and his son everyone drowned
[_Aside._] The Duke of Milan
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.
The Duke of Milan and his even braver daughter could control you if I allowed it. But look—they've already fallen for each other at first sight. Excellent Ariel, you're getting freed for this. Now, sir, a word—I believe you've done yourself some injury.
The Duke of Milan and his braver daughter could have power over you if I let them. But you see they've already fallen for each other in one look. Ariel, you're definitely getting freed for this. Now good sir, hold on—I think you've made a bad mistake.
duke of milan's daughter could control you but they already fell for each other ariel you're free wait sir—you messed up
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 does my father speak so unkindly? This Is the third man that I've ever seen; the first That I've ever felt romantic emotion for. I hope my father Turns toward me!
Why is my dad being so harsh? This guy is literally the third person I've ever laid eyes on in my life, and he's the first one I've ever felt anything for. I really hope Dad gets his head on straight about this.
why is dad being such a jerk this is only the third guy ive ever seen and hes the only one i actually like please dad just support me
O! if a virgin,
And your affection not gone forth, I’ll make you
The Queen of Naples.
Oh! If you are unmarried, And your heart hasn't gone to someone else, I'll make you The Queen of Naples.
If you're not married already and you don't love anyone else, I'm making you queen of Naples.
ur gonna be queen of naples if u want me
Soft, sir; one word more.
Wait, sir; one word more.
Hold on, sir. Let me say one more thing.
hold up one sec
[_Aside._] They are both in either’s powers. But this swift business
I must uneasy make, lest too light winning
Make the prize light. [_To Ferdinand._] One word more. I charge thee
That thou attend me. Thou dost here usurp
The name thou ow’st not; and hast put thyself
Upon this island as a spy, to win it
From me, the lord on ’t.
They're captivated by each other. But I need to make this romance difficult—if winning comes too easily, she'll seem worthless. Now listen to me. I'm warning you: pay attention. You're claiming a title that isn't yours, and you've planted yourself on my island like a spy, trying to steal it from me, its rightful lord.
They're totally into each other now. But I gotta make this harder—if she's too easy to get, she won't be worth anything. Listen up. I'm serious: pay attention to me. You're using a title you don't own, and you came here pretending to be someone you're not, trying to take my island from me.
they're into each other but gotta make it harder listen—you stole a title you're a spy stealing my island
No, as I am a man.
No, I'm a man of honor.
No, I'm an honorable person.
im not a spy im legit
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 evil that can live in such a beautiful body: If the evil spirit chose such a fair appearance, Good things will try to dwell with it.
Nothing truly evil could live in such a beautiful form. Even if an evil spirit looked that good, goodness would still want to stick around.
ur too beautiful to be evil goodness has to be with u
[_To Ferdinand._] Follow me.—
[_To Miranda._] Speak not you for him; he’s a traitor.
You come with me. Miranda, don't speak for him—he's a traitor.
You come with me. Miranda, don't stick up for him—he's a traitor.
you come with me miranda—don't defend him he's a traitor
[_To Ferdinand._] Come;
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.
Come. I'll chain your neck and feet together. You'll drink salt water for your drink, and mussels from fresh streams, dried roots, and acorn shells will be your food. Follow me.
Come on. I'm going to shackle your neck and feet together. Seawater's your drink. For food you get stream mussels, dried roots, and empty acorn shells. Let's go.
i'm chaining you up seawater to drink mussels & dried roots to eat follow me
No;
I will resist such entertainment till
Mine enemy has more power.
No; I will resist such treatment Until my enemy has more power.
No way. I'm not going to put up with this kind of treatment until I face someone stronger than me.
no im resisting this til someone more powerful shows up
O dear father!
Make not too rash a trial of him, for
He’s gentle, and not fearful.
Oh dear father! Don't be so quick to test him, because He's gentle and not afraid.
Dad, come on! Don't go so hard on him—he's a good person and he's not being aggressive toward you.
dad no hes nice hes not trying to fight stop it
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! Did I hear that right? My daughter teaching me? Put your sword down, traitor; You look tough but you're not actually striking—your guilt Is so overwhelming: step back from your fighting position, Because I can defeat you here with this stick And make you drop your weapon.
What? Did my daughter just tell me what to do? Put the sword away, you fake fighter. You're posturing but you're not actually attacking because you feel guilty. Step back, because I can disarm you with this stick right now.
my daughter didn't just u aint even fighting bro step back im dropping u with this stick
Beseech you, father!
I beg you, father!
Please, father, have mercy!
please father
Hence! Hang not on my garments.
Get out! Don't hang onto my clothes.
Go away! Stop holding onto me.
let go of me get out
Sir, have pity;
I’ll be his surety.
Sir, please be merciful; I'll guarantee his good behavior.
Sir, please show some mercy. I'll vouch for him.
dad pls i promise hes good i guarantee it
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 more word will make me scold you, if not hate you. What! An advocate for an impostor? Hush! Do you think there are no other people like him? Just because you've only seen him and Caliban, you foolish girl! To most men, he looks like a Caliban, and they, compared to him, are angels.
Silence! Say one more thing and I'll scold you—maybe worse. What! Defending some fake? Stop! Do you really think there's no one else like him in the world? You've only seen him and Caliban, you silly thing! Honestly, to most men he'd look like a Caliban himself, and everyone else would seem like angels next to him.
shut up think hes the only one like a monster compared 2 most ppl
My affections
Are then most humble; I have no ambition
To see a goodlier man.
My feelings Are then very humble; I have no desire To see a more handsome man.
Well, I'm not being ambitious about it. I'm totally fine with him being the one I like.
im not picky hes the one i want
[_To Ferdinand._] Come on; obey:
Thy nerves are in their infancy again,
And have no vigour in them.
Come on, obey. Your muscles are just beginning to grow strong again, and they have no power in them yet.
Come on, just do it. Your strength is like a baby's right now—you don't have any power in you yet.
come on your muscles are weak no strength yet
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.
That's true: My mind, like I'm in a dream, is completely stuck. My father's death, the weakness I'm feeling, The shipwreck that destroyed all my friends, and not this man's threats, To whom I have given up, matter very little to me, If I could only see this young woman once a day through my prison: I don't care about freedom everywhere else on earth I have enough room in such a prison.
Yeah, that's right. My mind is in a daze, like I'm dreaming. My dad is dead, I'm exhausted from the shipwreck, and all my friends are gone. Even the threats from this guy don't bother me much. The only thing that matters is if I can catch a glimpse of this girl once a day, even if I'm locked up. I don't need freedom anywhere else—this prison is enough for me.
everything hurts but if i see her once a day i can handle being locked up shes all i need
[_Aside._] It works. [_To Ferdinand._] Come on.
Thou hast done well, fine Ariel! [_To Ferdinand._] Follow me.
[_To Ariel._] Hark what thou else shalt do me.
It's working perfectly. Come on, Ferdinand. You did excellently, fine Ariel! Follow me. Ariel, listen—I have more work for you to do.
It's going great. Come on. Nice work, Ariel. Now follow me. Ariel, listen up—I've got more stuff I need you to do.
it's working perfectly come on good job ariel follow me ariel—more work
Be of comfort;
My father’s of a better nature, sir,
Than he appears by speech: this is unwonted
Which now came from him.
Don't worry; My father's nature is better, sir, Than how he's acting with his words: this behavior Is not normal Coming from him.
It's okay. My dad is actually a good person, sir, despite how he's acting right now. This isn't really how he normally is.
dads actually nice this isnt him hes being weird
Thou shalt be as free
As mountain winds; but then exactly do
All points of my command.
You'll be as free As mountain winds; but then you must follow exactly All the points of my command.
You'll have total freedom like the wind in the mountains—but only if you follow every single order I give.
ur free as the wind if u do exactly what i say
To th’ syllable.
To the letter.
Exactly, to the letter.
exactly
[_To Ferdinand._] Come, follow. Speak not for him.
Come, follow me. Don't speak for him.
Come on, let's go. Stop making excuses for him.
come follow me stop defending him
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.