The Tempest 1.1 Notes Allusions Act 1 scene 1 – The tempest is hitting the small boat. •
Dynamics of this scene: o
Emphasizes the relationships between servants and nobles (kings, princes, etc.)
o •
Conflict between Boatswain and Gonzalo
Boatswain: I.i17: “What I.i17: “What cares these roarers for the name of the king?” – the storm doesn’t care about the kings and officials. You’re in the way.
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Allusion: Gonzalo I.i.30-31: “I I.i.30-31: “I have great comfort from this fellow.Me/thinks he hath no drowning mark upon him; his/ complexion is perfect gallows./Stand fast, good Fate, to his hanging! Make the rope of his destiny/our destiny/ our cable, for out own doth little advantage. If he be not born to be hanged, our case is miserable.” – Gonzalo jokes that the ship is safe because Boatswain was born to be hanged, not drowned.
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Boatswain: I.i.37-38: “They “They are louder than the weather or our office!” – The passengers on the ship are louder than the storm. o
Conflict between Sebastian and Boatswain (lines 40- ) They nobles come out and Botswana asks if they want them to give up (a dispute) Sebastian calls him a dog and tells him to shut up.
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Allusion: Gonzalo I.i.47-49: “though I.i.47-49: “though the ship were no stronger than a nutshell and as leaky as an unstanched wench” – The ship is as wide-open as a girl. This refers to a girl who is menstruating.
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Antonio: 1.1.55-59: “We 1.1.55-59: “We are merely cheated of our lives….” – translation: blame the sailors, it’s their fault because of the story. We should drown Boatswain
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Gonzalo: 1.1.67-68 “The wills above be done, but I would fain die a dry death.” – if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. I want to be dry when I die though.
Act 1 Scene 1 Summary: •
A tempest (storm) is hitting a small boat. Boatswain tries to motivate the other sailors to battle the storm and get everyone alive, but the nobles (Antonio, Gonzalo, Sebastian, …) enter and a
dispute raises of them to Boatswain due to their social standings. The scene ends with the sailors saying goodbye to their families as they believe that they are about to die, and the nobles go to the king to say goodbye to them. The scene finally ends when Gonzalo says that he would rather want to die dry than wet but it is what it is. Allusion definition: definition: implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to be part of another text. •
Most allusions are based on the assumption that there is a body of knowledge that is shared by the author and the reader and that therefore the reader will understand the author’s referent.
Wench- young girl or woman
The Tempest Act 1 Scene 2 Notes
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Act I Scene 2 Metaphor: Prospero 51-53: “the dark backward and abysm of time” – darkness of the past Metaphor: Prospero 1.2.84-88: “ Or else new formed 'em—having both the key Of officer and office, set all hearts i' th' state To what tune pleased his ear, that now he was The ivy which had hid my princely trunk, And sucked my verdure out on t. Thou !
attend st not.” – He uses music to describe how Antonio became loved by the !
people. He also describes Antonio to ivy that sticks to a tree and sucks all the nutrients and everything out of it. Prospero: 89-106 “I pray thee mark me I thus neglecting worldly ends…” – Translation- Prospero was dedicated to his studies which allowed the evil to stir within his brother. His brother believed his own lie. Question: Why does he keep asking Miranda if she is listening? – is this to progress his magical control over her? Prospero 107- 116 – “To have no screen between this part he played…” Translation: Antonio allied himself with Naples. Gave Naples money, wore allegiance to him, an put Milan under Naples control. !
Allusion: Miranda 1.2.117-119: “I should sin To think but nobly of my grandmother. Good wombs have borne bad sons.” – Good women give birth to bad sons.
Prospero 120-131: “Now the condition. This king of Naples…” Translation – Naples agreed. The army gathered and Antonio opened Milan’s gates and officers rushed at Prospero who was carrying his daughter. Prospero 138 – 151 “Well demanded, wench. My tale provokes ….” Translation: the people of Milan loved me so much that they disguised their intentions. They put me on a boat, with you, with no masts, sails, or ropes. The winds sighed to us in pity. Prospero 172-173 “Than other princess can, that have more time For vainer hours and !
tutors not so careful.” Translation – princesses who spend their time on empty fun.
ARIEL: 2.1.195-206 “To every article. I boarded the king’s ship. Now on the beak, Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin, I flamed 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 thunderclaps, more momentary And sightoutrunning were not. The fire and cracks Of sulfurous roaring the most mighty Neptune Seem to besiege and make his bold waves tremble,Yea, his dread trident shake.” – Translation: Down to the last detail. I boarded the king’s ship, and in every corner of it, from the deck to the cabins,
I made everyone astonished and terrified. Sometimes I appeared in many places at once. On the top sail and main mast I flamed in different spots, then I came together into a single flame. I flashed about faster than lightning. The fire and deafening cracks seemed to overwhelm even the god of the sea himself, making him tremble underwater. Prospero 252-256: “Thou dost; and think’st it much too tread…” – Prospero tells Ariel that is it too much trouble for him to walk through the ocean, to call upon the wind, to do business with the streams of the earth when it’s caked with frost? Is Prospero a good or bad leader? Allusion: Prospero 268 “The blue-eyed hag” – Refers to the livid color of the eyelid, a sign of pregnancy. Prospero 285- 293 “Dull thing, I say so…” Nobody but damned souls of hell deserves the spell Sycorax put on Caliban. Christian Symbolism: Caliban 321-323 “As wicked dew as e’er my mother brushed with raven’s feather from unwholesome fern …” – I hope you get drenched with dew. Unwholesome fern = poison swamp. In the Hebrew/Christian tradition ravens were considered unclean, representing impurity, mortification, destruction, deceit, and desolation. Ravens were cursed by Noah for not returning to the ark with news of the receding the flood. Yet, conversely, the Bible also says that ravens were the protectors of the prophets; they fed Elijah and Paul the Hermit in the wilderness. Also, ravens helped St. Cuthbert and St. Bernard. In contradictory Christian traditions, ravens represent the solitude of the holy hermits, yet also the souls of wicked priests and witches.
Prospero: 343-349 “Thou most lying slave, …”- Translation: Caliban responds better to whips then kindness. I let him stay in my hut and he tried to rape my daughter. Miranda: 352- 358 “Abhorred slave…” – Miranda is condemning Caliban’s existence as well. Prospero: 365-371: “Hagseed, hench…” Get out of here, you son of a bitch! Bring us wood, and be quick about it. Are you shrugging and making faces, you evil thing? If you neglect my orders or do them grudgingly, I’ll double you up with pains and cramps, and make all your bones ache, and make you scream so loud that the wild animals will tremble when they hear you. Is Prospero still a good guy even though he is threatening Caliban with torture?
Ariel’s song 375-387 “Come unto those yellow sands…” and 397-404 “Full fathom five…” –What kind of rhyme scheme is being used here? Prospero: 408-409 “The fringed curtains…” – Prospero tells Miranda to look at Ferdinand. Is Prospero manipulating free will? Is this a man made destiny? Ferdinand 429-431 “My language? Heavens! …” Question: Miranda is speaking the same language as him. Yet, he sees their language as magical. Is he fully absorbed with the allusion of magic that Prospero uses? Is he blinded/controlled or acting on his own accord? Ferdinand 435 “Myself am Naples..” – Is Ferdinand jumping to conclusions? He is already calling himself the king of Naples. Miranda 445-478 “Why speaks my father so rudely…” Is Miranda even in love with Ferdinand? She just said this is the 3 rd man she has seen. Prospero 450-457 “Soft, sir! One word more…” Hang on, sir! Just a moment. (to himself) They’re both in love. But I need to cause a little trouble between them, or else they’ll never appreciate the value of their love. (to FERDINAND ) I need a word with you, sir. I order you to listen to me. You’re calling yourself by a name that doesn’t belong to you. You’ve come onto this island as a spy, to snatch it away from me—I’m the rightful lord of it. Metaphor: Miranda 458 “If the ill spirit have so fair a house. Good things will strive to dwell with’t” Translation: If the devil had such a beautiful house as his body, then good things would fight to live in it. Prospero 476-482 “Silence!, One word make…” Quiet! If you say one more word, I’ll punish you, maybe even hate you. You’re defending an impostor? Be quiet. You think he’s special, since you’ve only ever seen him and Caliban. Foolish girl, in the eyes of most people this man’s a Caliban, and compared to him, they’re angels. Ferdinand 488-493: “So they are. My sprits…” Translation: That’s true, they are. My strength is all gone, as if in a dream. The death of my father, my physical weakness, the loss of all my friends, the threats of this man who’s taken me prisoner—all that would be easy for me to take, if only I could look through my prison windows once a day and see this girl. I don’t
need any more freedom than that. A prison like that would give me enough liberty.
Literary Word List
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Pun- a play on words that relies on a word’s having more than one meaning or sounding like another word Metaphor – an implied analogy imaginatively identifying one object with another and ascribing to the first object one or more of the qualities of the second. Simply: Allusion- implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to be part of another text. Analogy- a comparison of two things, alike in certain aspects
The Tempest 2.1
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The Tempest Act 2 Scene 2
5/9/11 7:50 PM
Act 2 Scene 2 1-16 Caliban “All the infections that the sun…” Translation: That’s true, they are. My strength is all gone, as if in a dream. The death of my father, my physical weakness, the loss of all my friends, the threats of this man who’s taken me prisoner—all that would be easy for me to take, if only I could look through my prison windows once a day and see this girl. I don’t need any more freedom than that. A prison like that would give me enough liberty. 17-42 Trinculo “ Yond same black cloud, yond huge one, looks like a foul bombard that would shed his liquor” metaphor: That dark cloud looks like a liquor jug that’s about to pour everything out. •
“he smells like a fish; a very ancient and fishlike smell; a kind of not of the newest Poor John” – Allusion: Poor John – is a large fish with long teeth and a strong jaw. Caliban looks like an old fish, not a new one
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“were I in England now, as once I was, and had but this fish painted, not a holiday fool there but would give a piece of silver” Translation: If I had a painting of Caliban every fool would pay to see it.
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“There would this monster make a man; any strange beast there makes a man. When they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar, they ill lay out ten to see a dead Indian” –make a man=pun for make a man’s fortune Translation: Any weird beast in England can be considered a man. The men in England won’t give a beggar any money but they would pay to see a strange fish. o
Note: Remember Trinculo is a jester. But is he funny? The fact that he is dising England is it funny? Why does Shakespeare do this if he is acting this play in England?
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“This is not fish, but an islander, that hath lately suffered by a thunderbolt” Translation: Caliban looks like a native of the island that was struck by lightning o
He then crawls under Caliban’s cloak to shield him from the weather.
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45-46 Stephano “This is a very scurvy tune to sing at a man’s funeral. Well, here’s my comfort” Translation: This is an awful song to sing at a funeral well at least I have some booze o
“tongue with tang” Kate has a gutter/dirty mouth
o
“she loved not the savor of tar nor of pitch”- she didn’t like ships that smelled like tar
o
“yet a tailor might scratch her where’er she did itch” – but she liked it when a sailor went to her bed
o
“Then to sea, boys, and let her go hang” – go to sea boys and let her go to hell
o
“This is a scurvy tune too; but here’s my comfort” – this is an awful tune too but at least I have some alcohol
61-62 Stephano “As proper a man as ever went on four legs cannot make him give ground” – I’ll never run away from a man who walks on 4 legs the rest of us 67-71 Stephano “Where the devil should he learn..” Translation: How did he learn our language? But I’ll still talk to him and try to keep him tame so I can give him as a gift to my emperor Question: Is Caliban really scared or is he just acting? In this scene he is much different then when he acted with Prospero. 75-80 Stephano “He’s in his fit now and does not…” Translation: He’s talking nonsense but if he has a drink from my liquor, if he has never had before, it’ll calm him down so I can tame him. He’ll bring a lot of money for the person that owns him 81-83 Caliban “Thou dost me yet but little hurt…” Translation: You haven’t hurt me yet but soon I know you will. I can tell Prospero sent you here. 84-86 Stephano “Come on your ways, open your mouth here is that which will give language to you cat..” Translation/Proverb – liquor will make a cat drink. This liquor will loosen you up . You can’t even tell who your real friends are but open your mouth again. •
Question: Isn’t Caliban being abused? Do you feel bad for him or do you think he deserves it?
Trinculo hears their voices and remembers them but he thinks their drowned.
93-99 Stephano “Four legs and two voices…” Translation – Caliban has 2 mouths. One that speaks well and another one that’s dirty. Let me pour some alcohol into one and then into the other. – he’s forcing him to drink more. 107-112 Stephano “If thou beest Trinculo, come forth” Translation: If you’re Trinculo, come here and I’ll pull on thos smaller legs and pulls him out from under Caliban’s garment. 120-122 Caliban “These be fine things and if they be not sprites. That’s a brave god band beats celestial liquor. I will kneel to him.” Translation: These are beautiful creatures if they aren’t any spirits. I will gladly worship whatever god brings liquor from heaven here. He is a good god. Stephano – I floated on this island on a bottle of wine. I even made this bottle here out of tree bark after I came ashore. 130-131 Caliban “I’ll swear upon that bottle to be thy true subject, for the liquor is not earthly” – Translation: I’ll be your true subject since this liquor is out of this world. 143-144 Stephano “Out o’th moon. I do assure thee. I was the Man I’th Moon when time was” Allusion: The man in the moon was banished there according to legend for gathering brushwood with his dog on Sunday- Stephano is being condescending to Caliban 151-154 Trinculo “By this good light, this is a very shallow monster..” Translation: This monster is so gullible and stupid. I can’t believe I was so scared of him. What a pathetic monster. What a nice gulp monster. 176-180 Caliban “I prithee let me bring thee where crabs grow…” Translation: Let me show you how to get food here and what to eat. You need to follow me.
The Tempest Act 3 Scene 1
5/9/11 7:50 PM
1-4 (Ferdinand) “There be some sports are painful, and their labor Delight in them sets off. Some kinds of baseness Are nobly undergone. And most poor matters Point to rich ends.” Translation: Some games are painful, but their discomfort makes them more fun. Some kinds of lowly activities are done for noble reasons. And you can do poor things that lead to rich results. 28-31 (Miranda) “It would become me As well as it does you, and I should do it With much more ease, for my good will is to it And yours it is against.” Translation: I’d be as right for the job as you are, and I’d do it more easily, since I’d have good will on my side. •
Question: What kind of girl do you think Miranda is? Does she seem independent or dependent upon others?
Metaphor: 32-33 (Prospero) “Poor worm, thou art infected! This visitation shows it.” Translation: Prospero is comparing Ferdinand to a worm who is inflected by the love of Miranda. Metaphor: 33-35 (Ferdinand) “Tis fresh morning with me When you are by at night.” Translation: Ferdinand is comparing Miranda to a new fresh morning because her presents lifts his spirit up. 37-48 (Ferdinand) “Admired Miranda…” •
Question: Is this a compliment or insult? He says that every girl he liked, he found some fault in them that cancelled their beauty, but Miranda is the absolute best.
47-59 (Miranda) “I do not know one of my sex…” •
Question: Is Miranda really in love with Ferdinand or is she simply infatuated because she is the first man, besides her father/Caliban, that she has ever seen?
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Translation: In these lines she is saying that she has never saw another woman’s face besides her own, nor a man’s besides her father. Even so, she knows that the only companion she wants is Ferdinand.
59-67 (Ferdinand) “I am in my condition a prince, Miranda…” •
Question: He is so quick to call himself king even though he was previously wailing about the lost of his father. Is he jumping to conclusions? Why is he calling himself king so quickly?
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Metaphor: “This wooden slavery than to suffer the flesh-fly blow my mouth” Translation: I wouldn’t put up with carrying these logs any more than I’d let flies breed in my mouth. But since he has saw Miranda, he has become a slave to her.
67-73 (Ferdinand) “O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound and crown …” Translation: Oh heaven, oh earth, witness what I’m about to say, and reward me if I tell the truth! If I’m lying, then destroy all my prospects in life! More than anything else in the world, I love you, value you, and honor you. •
Question: Is Ferdinand over the top much?
Miranda’s response = crying. •
Question: Is she a girly girl? Opposite to her reaction before?
74-76 (Prospero) “Fair encounter Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace On that which breeds between 'em!” Translation: What a pleasant meeting between two people truly in love! May heaven bless the feelings growing between them! •
Question: What’s up with Prospero? Creeper?
Miranda: I know what I want and I’m not going to bashful anymore. Will you marry me? If you deny me then I will still follow you and be your servant if you like it or not. You’re not going to get rid of me. Ferdinand: Yuppers, be my wife. I’ll serve you forever and ever. •
Question: Are stereotypes reversed? Ferdinand gives his hand to Miranda rather than vice versa.
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Note: Miranda seems to wear the pants. Here’s my hand. I have to go though. See you later.
Ferdinand: A thousand thousand! – A thousand goodbyes. 95-99 (Prospero) So glad of this as they I cannot be, Who are surprised withal. But my rejoicing At nothing can be more. I’ll to my book, For yet ere supper-time must I perform Much business appertaining. Translation: I can’t be as happy as they are at this moment, but nothing could make me any happier. Now it’s time to get back to my studying, since I have a lot of serious business to take care of before dinner. •
Question: What’s Prospero’s role? Good guy or bad?
The Tempest Act 3 Scene 2
5/9/11 7:50 PM
Butt- wine bottle Stephano “Tell not me…” – Translation – butt refers to their wine bottle. Stephano is making a joke about their drunkenness. He is saying that they won’t drink water until they’re all out of wine and they have a long ways to go. He tells Caliban to give a toast to him. Trinculo “Servant-monster? The folly…” – Translation – Here Trinculo is saying that there is supposedly 5 people on the island (including Stephano and Trinculo) and that if they are as drunk as he is, then our country is in bad shape. Meaning, only drunks are coming from their countries. Stephano “Drink servant-monster…” Translation – He is forcing Caliban to drink and is saying that his eyes look sunken. When you drink alcohol you get dehydrated and due to the dehydration your eyes look sunken or droopy. Trinculo “Where should they be…” Translation – Where should his eyes be if not in his head, he would be quieter if it was in his tail so that he didn’t know what’s going on. Stephano “My man-monster hath drowned …” Translation – The monster is drunk but Stephano no liquid can harm him. He can’t get drunk nor can he drown in the sea. He’s that awesome. Caliban should be his lieutenant or my flag-bearer (one who carries a flag). Trinculo “Your lieutenant…” Translation – He should be your lieutenant, he so drunk and can’t even stand straight to hold the flag. Stephano “We’ll not run…” Translation – You won’t be allowed to run in my army. Trinculo “Nor go neither. But you’ll lie like dogs…” Translation – You won’t even be allowed into our army. You just lie there like a dog and do nothing. Stephno “Mooncalf…” Translation – Sweetie, honey bun. Be good and speak to me. Caliban “How does thy honor…” Translation- I’ll lick the show of Stephano but not of Trinculo. He’s not good enough. Trinculo “Thou liest….” Translation – I’m awesome you ugly fish. How can you call me coward after all the alcohol I drank. Natural –idiot
Stephano “Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head…” Translation - Be nice Trinculo. If you go against me, I’ll hang you on the next tree we see. The monster is under my command and he won’t be insulted. •
Question – But hasn’t Stephano insulted him the entire time?
Question – Stephano is making Caliban kneel before Trinculo, isn’t that an insult? Isn’t Stephano just making fun of him the entire time? Caliban “ Why, as I told the…” Translation: Ways the Caliban recommends to kill Prsopero: 1. Smash his skull while he’s sleeping and take his books. 2. Bash his skull with a log. 3. Stab his stomach 4. Cut his windpipe. Warning: Make sure you take his books so he can’t command his spirits and they will hate him as much as I do. He has a lot of books – he calls him home furnishings – make sure you get those. Lass – young girl, wonderful young girl Caliban “Ay lord, She will ….” Translation: She’ll look good in your bed and make a lot of good looking children. Question: Ladies, how do you feel about this? Stephano “Monster, I will kill….” Translation: I will kill him, take his daughter, and the monster and Caliban will be the governors. Jocund – light hearted Ariel plays a different song and they catch on. Trinculo “This is the tune of our catch…” Translation: That’s a melody but I don’t see anybody playing it. Stephano “If thou beest a man, show thyself in thy likeness….” Translation: He is talking to the visible musician (Ariel). If you’re a man than show yourself. If you’re a devil go to hell. Taboerer- drummer
The Tempest Act 3 Scene 3
5/9/11 7:50 PM
Gonzalo “Here’s a maze trod indeed” – Translation: I need to rest I’m too old. This place is like a maze. Personficiation: Alonso “The sea mocks our frustrate search on land” Translation: He is arguing with Gonzalo’s wearinees. I’m so sad I can’t find my son, it must be true that he drowned. But this damn sea keeps mocking us even when we search on land. We have to give up on Ferdinand and let him go. Antonio “Do not for one repulse forego the purpose that you resolved t’ effect” Translation: We have to stick to our plan, don’t back out now even though it didn’t work then. Ariel/Fairies enter Alsono “Give us kind keepers, heavens! What were these?” Translation: Heaven help us what were these things. Sebastian: “A living dollery….” Translation: A puppet show in real life. Now I believe unicorns exist and there’s a tree in Arabia where a phoenix lives. Antonio “I’ll believe both…” Translation: I’ll believe anything I see and say it as true. Travelers always tell the truth not matter what fools accuse them at home. Gonzalo “If in Naples…” Translation: If I was in Naples and told people these creatures were ugly but they were the gentles and well-manned people he ever met, though they are natives. They are the kindest among humanity. Prospero “Honest lord…” Translation: You’re right because you have villains that are worst than devils among you. He is directing this towards Gonzalo’s group. Alsonso “I cannot too much muse…” Translation: I am mesmerized by their shapes, gestures, and sounds which show their wonderful silent language. They vanished and left their food behind. Sebastian is quick to chow down but Alsono refuses to do so. Gonzalo “Faith, sir, you need not fear…” Translation: There’s nothing to be afraid of. Who would believe that there are mountain people with rolls of skin around their necks with their throats hanging down? Or that there were men with heads in their chests? Nowadays travelers commonly report that these things exist.
Alsonso “I will stand to and feed…” Translation: I will eat even if this my last supper. The best part of my life is over so it’s okay. Please have some food brother (Sebastian). Banquet vanishes when Ariel turns into a Harpy and flaps his wings. Ariel “You are three men of sin….” Translation: You all deserve this. Don’t try taking out your swords because you can’t even hurt me. You casted out Prospero and his daughter into the sea and now you lost your son to the sea. It is my job to make you suffer for all your sins. The higher powers are punishing you and the only way to protect yourself is to bow your heads and sincerely apologize for what you’ve done and to live innocent lives from now on. Question: Who is god? Is there a god? Prospero “Bravely the figure…” Translation: You’re awesome Ariel, you did everything I told you to do and said everything I told you to say. They’re all under my control. Personification Alonso “Oh, it is monstrous…” Translation: Alonso thought that the sky, clouds, thunder… etc. was speaking to him and telling him all his crimes. My son is dead because of me, I’m going to join him. Metaphor: Alsonso compares himself to an anchor as he sinks deeper to the ground. Sebastian than says he’ll fight all the devils. Gonzalo “All three of them are desperate…” Translation: All of them are going crazy with despair. It is starting to gnaw at them like a slow poison METAPHOR. Those who are young and active follow them and keep them from doing crazy things.
The Tempest Act 4 Scene 1
5/9/11 7:50 PM
Ceres- goddess of agriculture (greek) Iris- goddess of the rainbow, messenger of the Olympian gods (greek) Juno (roman goddess) – equivalent to Hera. Protector and counselor of the state. Goddess of fidelity and childbirth. Prospero “If I have too austerely punished you…” Translation: I know I put you through a lot of crap but I’m going to give you Miranda to make up for it. I was only testing your love and you passed with flying colors. You’re smiling about my bragging of my daughter, but you’ll realize that she outshines any praise I have for her. Oracles – someone who delivers messages from god Ferdinand “I do believe it…” Translation: I’d believe it even if oracles told me differently. Prospero “Then as my gift …. Virgin-knot…” – Translation: If you have sex with her before all you get married, the heavens will rain hate down on you that you will hate your bed. •
As Hymen's lamps shall light you: i.e., as you desire happiness in your marriage. The symbolic torch of Hymen, the Greek and Roman god of marriage, was supposed to promise happiness if it burned with a clear flame, the opposite if it smoked.
Ferdinand “As I hope for quiet days …” Translation: I just want a quiet life/long life and some good kids. I won’t be tempted into lust and wait until the wedding night. I’ll be eager for my first wedding night of love that I’ll wonder if evening will come. I hope the day will be very long b/c I won’t realize when it’s evening. •
are founder'd: either the sun-god's horses have broken down and gone lame (because the day is so long).
Prospero “Thou and thy meaner fellows … go bring the rabble, o’er whom I give thee power, here to this place. Incite them to quick motion, for I must bestow upon the eyes of this young couple some vanity of mine art” Translation: Go get your fellow spirits and I give you control over them. I promised these youngsters, I’ll show them my magic and they’re expecting it. •
Question: Why doesn’t Prospero use his own power? Why does Ariel have too?
Ariel “Before you can say come and go…”
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Question: What kind of rhyme scheme is being used?
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Question: Why does Ariel ask Prospero if he loves him?
Irony: Prospero “Dearly my delicate Ariel. Do not approach Till thou dost hear me call” Translation: I love you a lot, but don’t come near me til I call you. •
Question: What’s up with that?
Prospero “Look thou be true…” Translation: Make sure you behave yourself. Don’t go to far with her. If you let yourself get stirred up you’ll forget your promise. Calm yourself down or you’ll forget your vow. Abstemious – not self-indulgent Ferdinand “I warrant you, sir…” Translation: What I feel in my heart is stronger than my sexual passions stirring below. Ardor- enthusiasm, passion Prospero “Well. Now come, my Ariel! Bring a coroallary…” Translation: Come fast Ariel, bring a servant so that you’re not understaffed. Ceres “Hail, many-colored messenger, that ne’er…” Translation: Greetings to you, rainbow messenger, who never disobeys Juno, wife of Jupiter; with your golden wings you sprinkle dewdrops and refreshing showers on my flowers, and arch your colored bow over my wooded fields and grassy meadows, like a beautiful scarf to decorate my earth. Why has your queen, Juno, called me here to this grassy spot? Iris “Of her society be not afraid…” Translation: Don’t be afraid of her company. I met Venus as she was with her son on her way to her home on Paphos (coastal city in Cyprus , Aphrodite was believed to be born there so there is a worshipping/cult for her in Paphos) in a carriage pulled by doves. They were planning to pull a mischievous trick on Ferdinand and Miranda, who have sworn not to sleep together till their wedding day. But their trick failed. Venus went home again, and her little son broke all his arrows, swearing he’ll never shoot them again, but play with birds like other little boys. Ceres “Tell me, heavenly bow…” Translation: Tell me, rainbow, do you know if either Venus, the goddess of love, or her son, Cupid, is accompanying Queen Juno? Ever since Venus and her blind son plotted a way for the god of the underworld to steal my daughter away (Persephone
who was abducted by Pluto, the god of the underworld) for half the year, I swore I’d never speak to them again. Iris “Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas…” Translation: I am the rainbow-bearing messenger sent by my mistress Juno—the Queen of the Sky. I have come to announce that Juno has asked you, Ceres, goddess of the fields and the earth, to leave your rich farms of wheat, rye, barley, oats, and peas, the hills where the sheep nibble, the furrows that April covers with flowers for nymphs to make crowns with. You must leave the groves where the disappointed bachelor lurks, rejected by his love, and the well-pruned vineyards, and the rocky seashore. 60. Ceres: goddess of agriculture. leas: meadows, cultivated land. 61. fetches: vetch, a fodder plant. 63. stover: hay for winter use, fodder for cattle. 64. pioned and twilled: undercut by the stream and retained by interwoven branches; excavated (?) or trenched (?) (Onions); ridged (New Cambridge); grown over with peonies and lilies (Hammer). 65. spongy: i.e., wet. 66. cold: chaste. broom: a kind of shrub bearing yeIlow flowers. 67. dismissed bachelor: rejected suitor. 68. pole-c1ipt: poll-clipped; i.e., with top growth pruned back (?). If clipt means (as often) "embrace d," the sense could be "enc losed by a fence of poles" or "with poles entwined by the vines." 70. queen o' the sky: Juno. 71. watery arch: rainbow. 74. peacocks: Juno's sacred birds, which drew her chariot. amain: swiftly, with full force or speed. 75. entertain: receive. **. Juno descends: i.e., starts her decent from the "heavens" above the stage (?).
Ceres “Hail, many-colored messenger…” Translation: Greetings to you, rainbow messenger, who never disobeys Juno, wife of Jupiter; with your golden wings you sprinkle dewdrops and refreshing showers on my flowers, and arch your colored bow over my wooded fields and grassy meadows, like a beautiful scarf to decorate my earth. Why has your queen, Juno, called me here to this grassy spot? •
Question: What rhyme scheme is being used?
Iris “A contract of true love to celebrate…” Translation: To celebrate a marriage of true love and give a gift to the lovers. •
Question: What rhyme scheme?
Ceres “Tell me, heavenly bow, If Venus or her son…” Translation: Tell me, rainbow, do you know if either Venus, the goddess of love, or her son, Cupid, is accompanying Queen Juno? Ever since Venus and her blind son plotted a way for the god of the underworld to steal my daughter away for half the year, I swore I’d never speak to them again. •
89. Dis
my daughter got: Pluto, ruler of the underworld
(hence dusky ), who carried off Ceres' daughter Proserpine to be his queen in Hades. Iris “Of her society…” Translation: Don’t be afraid of her company. I met Venus as she was with her son on her way to her home on Paphos, in a carriage pulled by doves. They were planning to pull a mischievous trick on Ferdinand and Miranda, who have sworn not to sleep together till their wedding day. But their trick failed. Venus went home again, and her little son broke all his arrows, swearing he’ll never shoot them again, but play with birds like other little boys. 93. Paphos: a town on the island of Cyprus, sacred to Venus. 94-95. Dove-drawn: Venus' chariot was drawn by her sacred doves. done / Some
wanton charm: cast some unchaste spell. 98. Mars's hot minion: lustful mistress. Venus and Mars were lovers.
returned: i.e., to Paphos. 99. waspish-headed: peevish; fiery, hot-headed (?). 100. sparrows: Like doves, sacred to Venus. Sparrows were proverbially lecherous. 101. right out: outright. High'st queen of state: most majestic queen. •
Comment: Notice how all the gods and magical beings are rhyming while they’re talking.
Juno “How does my bounteous sister…” Translation: How is my generous sister? Come with me and bless this couple with prosperity and a lot of children. •
Question: Why would Ferdinand want to live there after Prospero’s cruel treatment?
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Question: Why does Prospero say that he calls the spirits out of their confines aka prison when they’re more powerful than him?
Ceres “Earth’s increase, foison plenty…” Translation: Let the earth be bountiful and filled with fruit for you. Let spring come quickly after autumn where you don’t have to suffer the hardships of winter. Prospero “Spirits, which by mine art…” Translation: Spirits that Prospero called out of their prisons so that they can perform what Prospero wants. •
Question: Why is Prospero so possessive?? Is it to prove something?
Marred = broken Avoid (line 132) – leave us Prospero “You do look, my son, in a moved sort…” Translation: Don’t worry son. All the spirits melted into thin air. With their gorgeous appearance, the topped with clouds, its gorgeous palaces, solemn temples, the world itself-and everyone living in it – which will dissolve just as this illusory pageant has dissolved, leaving not even a wisp of cloud behind. We are all made of dreams, and our life stretches from sleep before birth to sleep after death. Sir, I’m upset. Please put up with my weakness. My old brain is troubled. Don’t be disturbed by my illness. If you like, you can rest a while in my room. I’ll go for a short walk to calm down my feverish mind. •
Question: What is with Prospero’s philosophical speech?
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What does this mean?
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Is this speech used as a metaphor to life?
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Is Shakespeare commenting on how theater is just a veil. A shadow that will dissolve?
Ariel was really behind the Ceres show… did Ceres exist or was it Ariel in disguise again? Variets – lowlifes Soliloquy: Prospero “A devil, a born devil on whose nature….” Translation: He’s a devil, a born devil that can’t be trained. All I did was try to helm him but it was wasted. His body grows uglier and his mind continues to rot. I’ll torment them til they holler with pain. –referring to Caliban Hoodwink-decieve or trick
Stephano “Be you quiet, monster…” Translation: Shut up, monster. Madame tree, is this jacket for me? Thank you kindly. The tree’s lost its jacket. (he takes a jacket hanging on the tree)—Now the jacket might lose its fur trim and become a bald jacket. Trinculo “Do, do. We steal by line and level…” Translation: go ahead we’re stealing things the right way here. Stephano “I thank thee for that jest…” Translation: Thank you for that joke. Here, I’ll give you some clothes to show my gratitude. As king of this country I like to reward wit when I hear it. “Stealing things the right way” is a great line. Here’s another jacket to say thanks. Trinculo “Monster, come, put some lime…” Translation: Come here, monster, put some glue on your fingers, and carry away the rest of these clothes for us. Prospero and Ariel are calling the dogs’ names. Prospero “Let them be hunted soundly…” Translation: Hunt them down. Now all my enemies are at my mercy. Soon all my work will be done, and you’ll be free. Just obey me a little bit longer.
The Tempest Act 5.1
5/9/11 7:50 PM
Prospero “Now does my project gather…” Translation: Everything is going according to plan. My spells are working perfectly, my spirits are listening to me, and everything is right on schedule. What’s the time? Ariel “Confined together…” Translation: They’re all imprisoned in the grove Indian trees that protect you from the weather. The king and his followers are losing it and Gonzalo is saddest among all of them. Your magic has had such an effect that if you saw them you feel sorry for them. Ariel “Mine would, sir, were I human” Translation: I would feel sorry for them if I was human. Prospero “And mine shall…” Translation: I feel sorry for them too. You’re not even human, Ariel. You’re made of air, imagine how I feel being human. I suffer just as much as they do, so I’ll sympathize far more than you. Though I am angered by their evil deeds, I’ll go with my nobler instincts and show mercy on them. It’s better to act nobely than out of vengenance. Now that they are sorry, I don’t want them to suffer anymore. Release them Ariel. I’ll break my spellls, return their senses, and they’ll feel like themselves again. Prospero “Ye elves of hills, brooks, standing lakes, and groves…” Translation: I’ve darkened noontime sun with the aid of the elves who live in the hills, brooks, and groves. You who chase the sea on the beach without leaving footprints in the sand, and run away when the waves come back; and you who make toadstools while the moon shines; who make mushrooms as a hobby after the evening bell has rung. With your help I’ve called up the angry winds, and set the green sea and blue sky at war with each other. I’ve given lightning to the thunderclouds, and burned up Jupiter’s beloved oak. With his own lightning bolts; I’ve shaken up the sturdy cliffs and uprooted pines and cedars; I’ve opened up graves and awakened the corpses sleeping in them, letting them out with my powerful magic. But I surrender all this magic now, when I’ve summoned some heavenly music to cast a spell, as I’m doing now. I’ll break my staff and bury it far underground and throw my book of magic spell deeper into the sea than any anchor ever sank. Notes: This famous passage is an embellished paraphrase of Golding's translation of Ovid's Metamorphoses, vii, 197-219. •
Vocab for Prospero’s Passage
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demi-puppets: quasi-puppets; literally, puppets of half-size; i.e., creatures of small size such as elves and fairies.
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37. green sour ringlets: so-called "fairy rings" in grass, actually circles of grass caused by mushrooms.
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39. mushrumps: mushrooms, supposed because of their rapid growth to be made by elves during the night.
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40. curfew: Supposedly spirits could be abroad only between curfew (9 p.m.) and the first cockcrow; cf. I.ii.327.
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41. Weak: i.e., as, compared with the powerful demons summoned up by black magic.
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44-45. to the dread rattling thunder / have I given fire: the dread rattling thunderbolt I have discharged.
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45. rifted: split.
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47. spurs: roots.
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50. rough: i.e., capable of producing the violent effects just described (?).
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51. requir'd: requested.
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53. their senses that: the senses of those whom.
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54. airy charm: i.e., the music.
Prospero cont’d “A solemn air and the best comforter…” Translation: Let this solemn melody comfort you fevered minds, which are now useless, seething inside your skulls. All of you stand there in my spell. to GONZALO ) Good Gonzalo, you honorable man, my eyes weep for you, since I feel what you must feel now. (to himself) The spell is breaking gradually, and just as dawn creeps in and melts away the darkness, they will slowly return to their senses.— (to GONZALO ) Oh, my dear Gonzalo, you’re my savior and loyal to your lord, I’ll reward you fully, not just with praise but with actions too.— (to ALONSO ) You, Alonso, manipulated me and my daughter cruelly, and your brother helped you.— (to SEBASTIAN ) You’re paying the price for it now, Sebastian.— (to ANTONIO ) My brother, you were so greedy for power that you forgot natural compassion and our bond as brothers, and were ready to kill your king—I forgive you, though you’re a monster.— (to himself) Look at them, they’re starting to understand. Soon their confused minds will clear up. But at this point not a single one of them recognizes me.—
(to ARIEL ) Ariel, get me my hat and sword from my room. I’ll take off the clothes I’m wearing now, and put on the ones I used to wear in Milan.— Soon, spirit, you’ll be free. Ariel “I drink the air before me…” Translation: I’ll back here before you know it. I’ll burn up the air and come back in 2 heart beats. Prospero “Behold, sir King…” Translation: to ALONSO ) Your Highness, you see before you the Duke of Milan, Prospero, who’s been wronged. I’ll embrace you now so you will know it’s really me, a living prince, talking to you. I heartily welcome you and your entourage here. (he embraces ALONSO ) Alsonso “whe’er thou beest he or no…” Translation: Whether you’re really him or whether this is some magic trick like I was recently subjected to, I don’t know. Your heart beats like you were real, and ever since I saw you, I feel my mind becoming sane again, released from its earlier insanity. There must be a strange explanation for this—if it’s true. I surrender your dukedom and beg you to forgive me all my crimes. But how is it possible that Prospero’s alive and well and living on this island? Prospero “First, noble friend…” Translation: First, my noble old friend, let me embrace you, who are more honorable than I can say. Prospero “You do yet taste …” Translation: You’re still experiencing some of the little quirks of this island, which makes so many things seem uncertain. Welcome, my friends. (speaking so that only SEBASTIAN and ANTONIO can hear) But you two lords, if I felt like it, I could turn you in as the traitors you are. But as for now, I won’t say a word. Alonso “If thou beest Prospero…” Translation: If you’re Prospero, give us the details of how you were saved, how you met us here, when we were just shipwrecked here three hours ago, when I lost—How painful the memory is!—my dear son Ferdinand Prospero “As great to me as late…” Translation: I have a great loss just like you do But I have less people to comfort me. I’ve lost my daughter. •
Question: Why is Prospero always trying to make others feel sorry for him? What does he gain from this manipulation? Or is it manipulation?
Alonso “A daughter …” Translation: You lost a daughter! I wish I could take the place of my son in the ocean so that they may both be king and queen of Naples. When did you lose your daughter.
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Question: Isn’t this foreshadowing the fate of Miranda and Ferdinand? Do you think this is odd what Alonso just said?
Prospero “In this last tempest…” Translation: In this recent storm. These lords seem so astonished that they’ve lost their use of reason and can hardly believe what they see with their own eyes.—But whatever the reason for your losing your senses, you can know for sure that I’m Prospero, that same duke who was kicked out of Milan and landed on this same island where you landed, and became the lord of it. No more of this story now, for it takes days to tell, not just a chat over breakfast or during this first meeting of ours (to ALONSO ) Welcome, sir. This room’s my royal court. I have hardly any servants and no subjects outside this room. Please, have a look. Since you’ve given my dukedom back to me, I’ll give you something equally nice, or at least I’ll give you an amazement to satisfy you as much as my dukedom satisfies me. •
Question: Did you expect Prospero to act all cordially? Is this a random character trait thrown in? Is it believable?
Miranda “Yes, for a score…” Translation: Maybe not the whole world, but you’d cheat for twenty kingdoms. But even then I’d still lie and say you were playing by the rules. Alonso “If this prove…” Translation: If this dream vision is typical of what this island conjures up, then I’ll lose my son twice. Lines 204-206 Prospero “There sir stop…” Question: Why is Prospero acting so cool with everything when he was so spiteful and sought vengeance in the beginning of the play? Do you believe this demeanor or is Prospero putting on yet another show? What is the real Prospero like? Gonzalo “Was Milan thrust from Milan…” Translation: Was the Duke of Milan kicked out of Milan so his children could become kings of Naples? Oh, this is cause for an extraordinary joy that should be engraved in gold on pillars to last forever. On one and the same trip Claribel found a husband in Tunis, and Ferdinand, her brother, found a wife where he was shipwrecked; Prospero found his dukedom on a poor island; and all of us found ourselves when we lost control of ourselves. •
Question: Is what Gonzalo says true? Didn’t Claribel plead to Alonso to noy marry the king from Tunis? But why is this a happy venture all of a sudden?
Gonzalo “Oh look sir…” Translation: Oh, look, sir, look, sir! More of us are here. I remember I predicted that this guy could never drown, as long as there are gallows around on the land. (to BOATSWAIN ) Hey, you curser, who defiled our ship with your foul language, don’t you have any gutter talk for us on shore? What’s going on? •
Question: So Boatswain is still treated like crap after all of these happy endings? What is Shakespeare implying by this disrespect from Gonzalo?
Stephano “Every man shift…” Translation: Look out for the other guy, and don’t put yourself first, since everything happens randomly. Courage! (corragio) Courage, you fine old monster. Prospero “Mark but the badges…” Translation: Take a look at their servants' name tags, my lords, then tell me what they are. (he points at CALIBAN ) This misshapen monster, his mother was a witch so powerful she could control the moon and the tides. These three have robbed me, and this bastard half-devil plotted with them to kill me. Two of these men you must recognize and claim as your own. This evil monster I acknowledge is mine. Trinculo “I have been in such…” Translation: I’ve been so wasted since I saw you last that I’m worried I’ll never be sober again. But at least I won’t rot, being so full of alcohol. Stephano “O, touch me not…” Translation: Oh, don’t touch me. I’m not Stephano, I’m a walking cramp. Prospero “You’d be king…” Translation: You wanted to be king of this island. Stephano “I should have been a sore…” Translation: I would have been a sore king if I were. Note: Prospero then tells Caliban to take Trinculo and Stephano to Prospero’s room and have them clean it up if they want him to forgive them.
