The Tempest Quotes

If I did think, sir, I were well awake,
I’ld strive to tell you. We were dead of sleep,
And – how we know not – all clapp’d under hatches,
Where, but even now, with strange and several noises
Of roaring, shrieking, howling, jingling chains,
And more diversity of sounds, all horrible,
We were awaked; straightway, at liberty;
Where we, in all her trim, freshly beheld
Our royal, good and gallant ship.

– William Shakespeare

The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1. The Boatswain tells what happened to the crew of the ship. They fell asleep below decks and woke to sounds of roaring, shrieking and clinking of chains. They found themselves free and were delighted to see the ship all ready to sail – all brought about by Prospero’s magic.

Sir, my liege,
Do not infest your mind with beating on
The strangeness of this business; at picked leisure
Which shall be shortly, single I’ll resolve you,
Which to you shall seem probable, of every
These happen’d accidents; till when, be cheerful
And think of each thing well.

– William Shakespeare

The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1. Prospero is speaking to Alonso, who is astonished and upset at the strange and unnatural things that have occurred – much of them brought about by Prospero’s magic. He tells him not to fixate on them, that he will explain everything when the time is right.

Mark but the badges of these men, my lords
Then say if they be true. This mis-shapen knave,
His mother was a witch, and one so strong
That could control the moon, make flows and ebbs,
And deal in her command without her power.
These three have robb’d me; and this demi-devil –
For he’s a bastard one – had plotted with them
To take my life. Two of these fellows you
Must know and own; this thing of darkness!
Acknowledge mine.

– William Shakespeare

The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1. Prospero tells Alonso to take note of the stolen apparel of the two drunks Stephano and Trinculo who have stumbled in with Caliban, and then say if they are honest. The pair are lackeys of their master Antonio and with them Caliban has plotted to murder Prospero. When speaking of Caliban, Prospero dehumanizes him and adds to his monster image by referring to his deformed physical appearance and the fact that he is the bastard offspring of a devil and a witch. He also describes him as a "thing of darkness." But he does acknowledge Caliban as his. And in a sense Caliban’s monster is Prospero’s creation for he has treated Caliban monstrously. There are clear parallels here between Prospero and Caliban, and Victor Frankstein and his monster.

I’ll be wise hereafter
And seek for grace.

– William Shakespeare

The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1. This passage is from the fuller quote: "I’ll be wise hereafter And seek for grace. What a thrice-double ass Was I, to take this drunkard for a god And worship this dull fool!" As he leaves the play, Caliban claims to have learned a lesson and be wiser, recognizing his mistake in having admired and given his allegiance to his new master Stephano. But we don’t actually know what happens to him after that. Did he accompany Prospero to Milan? Or did he remain on the island as its ruler? Did Prospero’s gain his freedom from Prospero? All this is unclear as Shakespeare provides no resolution like he did in the case of the other major characters, he keeps us guessing to this day.

Now my charms are all o’erthrown,
And what strength I have’s mine own,
Which is most faint: now, ’tis true,
I must be here confined by you,
Or sent to Naples. Let me not,
Since I have my dukedom got
And pardoned the deceiver, dwell
In this bare island by your spell;
But release me from my bands
With the help of your good hands:
Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill, or else my project fails,
Which was to please. Now I want
Spirits to enforce, art to enchant,
And my ending is despair,
Unless I be relieved by prayer,
Which pierces so that it assaults
Mercy itself and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardoned be,
Let your indulgence set me free.

– William Shakespeare

The Tempest, Epilogue. Prospero’s fascinating and moving soliloquy before he exits the stage in what is thought to be William Shakespeare’s last play, is often taken as Shakespeare’s own farewell to the stage. Speaking to the audience, after the rest of the characters leave the stage, Prospero says that he has given up his magic powers to become an ordinary human being, reclaimed his dukedom and "pardoned the deceiver." He is about to return to the real world in Milan after living on his magical island. He asks his audience to set him free with their applause – "release me from my bands With the help of your good hands." In the final lines two he asks for the audience’s forgiveness for what he has done, to pardon him for his actions on the island which he is now restoring to its natural state, without his magic.

As you from crimes would pardoned be,
Let your indulgence set me free.

– William Shakespeare

The Tempest, Epilogue. In the final lines of his closing speech, after forgiving the shipwreck passengers for their former betrayals, Prospero asks the audience for their forgiveness and his own freedom. He is about depart the island where he has been exiled and retake the dukedom of Milan. He is a happy and satisfied man who has avenged the wrongs done to him and made his enemies see the enormity of their crime.
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