Point When? Who is speaking Evidence/Quote What the quote means Explanation Act 1 Scene 2 Caliban 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 I’m glad you taught me to speak because it means I can curse you. Although in some ways Prospero has helped Caliban, he is resentful and does not serve him willingly Act 3 Scene 1 Ferdinand There be some sports are painful, and their labour Delight in them sets off. Some kinds of baseness Are nobly undergone, and most poor matters Point to rich ends. Things that are hard to do may be painful but they will be worth it in the end. Ferdinand is very much in love with Miranda and willing to do whatever work is required in order to win her Act 3 Scene 1 Miranda I am your wife, if you will marry me. If not, I’ll die your maid. To be your fellow You may deny me, but I’ll be your servant Whether you will or no. If you marry me I will be your wife. If you won’t I will be your servant. Miranda proposes marriage to Ferdinand, saying that if he does not want to she will not go away, but stay as his servant 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. This island makes beautiful sounds that give me great pleasure. Caliban was born on the island, the son of the previous ruler, Sycorax, and describes it in poetic language.
Point When? Who is speaking Evidence/Quote What the quote means Explanation Act 1 Scene 2 Prospero They are both in each other’s powers, But this swift business I must uneasy make, lest too light winning Make the prize light. They are both in love, but I will make things difficult for them so they have to work hard for their happiness and will appreciate it. Prospero feels that it is important that Ferdinand and Miranda face obstacles so they will value their happiness more Act 2 Scene 1 Gonzalo Letters should not be known, riches, poverty And use of service, none; contract succession Bourn, bound of land, tilth, vineyard, none. If I were in charge everyone would be equal and no-one would have to work. This speech shows a utopian and optimistic view of what life could be like in an ideal world Act 3 Scene 1 Ferdinand For several virtues Have I liked several women, never any With so full soul, I have loved women before to some extent, but never met a woman who I loved completely before. Ferdinand feels that although he has loved other women, he has never been so completely in love before. Act 5 Scene 1 Miranda How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, That has such people in’t! How beautiful people are! What a wonderful world! Miranda’s upbringing has been so lonely that she is very happy at the sudden chance to interact with a lot of new people
Act 5 Scene 1 Ariel Where the bee sucks there suck I; In a cowslip’s bell I lie; There I couch when owls do cry, On the bat’s back I fly. When I am a free spirit I will drink nectar like a bee, sleep in a cowslip flower and ride on the back of a bat. This song demonstrates that Ariel is a free spirit of the air, close to nature, with magical powers – a kind of fairy or sprite. Act 5 Scene 1 Prospero I’ll break my staff, Bury it certain fathoms in the earth, And deeper than did every plummet sound I’ll drown my book. I will throw away my magic staff and books (not use my magic powers any more) Breaking his staff and throwing his books in the sea shows that Prospero is giving up magic and returning to the real world Act 3 Scene 2 Stephano He that dies pays all debts If I die, I won’t have to worry about money any more This attitude shows that Stephano is an irresponsible character Act 4 Scene 2 Stephano Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head; if you prove a mutineer – the next tree! The poor monster’s my subject and he shall not suffer indignity. Treat Caliban kindly and be nice to him or I’ll hang you from a tree! I’m his master and I don’t want him disrespected. There is a contrast between the way Caliban is treated by Stephano and by Prospero Act 2 Scene 2 Trinculo I shall laugh myself to death at this puppy-headed monster. A most scurvy monster! I could find in my heart to beat him. I could die laughing at this monster! I’d like to beat him. Trinculo insults Caliban and treats him scornfully
Act 2 Scene 1 Antonio We all were sea-swallow’d, though some cast again, And by that destiny to perform an act Whereof what’s past is prologue, what to come In yours and my discharge. We’ve all just survived drowning, so we should take the future into our own hands. Antonio compares the shipwreck to the prologue of a play, with the main action (killing Alonso) still to come Act 1 Scene 2 Prospero My library Was dukedom large enough. I was so interested in my books that they became my whole life. Prospero admits that his interest in magic took over his life and meant that he neglected his work Act 2 Scene 2 Trinculo A fish: he smells Like a fish; a very ancient and fish-like smell: a kind of Not of the newest Poor-John. A strange fish! He smells like a cheap fish that is beginning to go rotten This is a graphic description of Caliban as extremely unappealing Act 5 Scene 1 Prospero Let us not burthen our remembrance with A heaviness that’s gone. Let’s not be sad about things that have happened in the past Prospero tells Alonso that thinking too much about the past is not helpful and they should concentrate on the future
Point When? Who is speaking Evidence/Quote What the quote means Explanation Act 2 Scene 1 Ariel 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. While you’re asleep people are plotting against you! Wake up and watch out! Ariel is carrying out Prospero’s orders to look after Alonso and Gonzalo by waking them up before Antonio and Sebastian kill them Act 2 Scene 2 Caliban ‘Ban, Ban, Cacaliban Has a new master: get a new man. Freedom, hey-day! hey-day, freedom! Freedom! (Singing drunkenly) I’ve got a new master! I’m free! Caliban celebrates being free, but he is not really because he has just exchanged one master for another Act 1 Scene 2 Miranda 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. He has such a beautiful body that he must be good inside because nothing bad could exist inside him Miranda assumes here that Ferdinand’s outward appearance is so beautiful that his character must also be perfect