The Tempest; Act 111

Scene 1 (In front of Prospero’s living quarters)


Enter Ferdinand, carrying a log.

Ferdinand. There are many sports more difficult than what I have to do here. If you love something it’s worth the pain. It’s worth doing this though, because of what I get at the end of it. I’d better get these logs collected before he comes out and screams at me. How could such a harsh man have such a gentle and lovely daughter? She cries when she sees me working so hard and encourages me all she can. It’s her encouragement that keeps me going. It’s her kind words that get me through the day.

Enter Miranda with Prospero who’s hidden behind her. Neither her or Ferdinand know he's there.

Miranda. Please don’t work so hard. If I were lightning, I’d burn up those logs you have to pile so high. Put that one down and rest a little while, please. My father's studying, so you’re safe for the next three hours or so.

Ferdinand. My dear, I’ve got to get a move on. I've got so much to do, it’ll be nightfall before I’m finished.

Miranda. Tell you what. If you sit down I’ll help pile up the logs for a while.

Ferdinand. No way! I’d rather injure myself or break my back before I let you carry logs while I sit idly by.

Miranda. It’s no problem, honestly. It’ll be much easier for me to do because I actually want to and you don’t.

Prospero. (Aside) She’s in love.

Miranda. (To Ferdinand) You look so tired.

Ferdinand. Whatever time of day it is, and even when I’m supposed to be tired, I'll fine as long as you’re near. Tell me, what is your name?

Miranda. Miranda. I promised my father I wouldn’t tell you what my name is.

Ferdinand. You’re exactly what your name means. You’re admired. You deserve all the admiration in the world. I’ve spoken to lots of fine young women. I mean, I’ve even liked some of them who had really good qualities. But none of them have come close to you. You’re perfect. The most perfectly formed woman I’ve ever seen.

Miranda. I don’t know any other women. I can’t remember anyone I’ve known in my past. The only female face I see is my own, in the mirror. I haven’t seen men either, except you and my father. I can’t really say what true handsomeness is, but I can’t imagine liking anyone else but you. I can’t imagine that I would like the look of anyone else apart from you. I think I’m saying far too much now. My father says I should not talk so much about these things.

Ferdinand. I’m a Prince, Miranda. Soon to be a king. Yet, the moment I saw you, I knew I wanted to serve you. I’m carrying these logs and doing all this because of how I feel about you.

Miranda. Are you saying you love me?

Ferdinand. I would give up everything I have and everything I will ever have to be with you. I swear this. I love, prize and honour you.

Miranda. Look at me. I’m so silly. I’m only crying because I’m happy.

Prospero. (Aside) There we have it.

Ferdinand. So why are you still crying?

Miranda. Because I feel so unworthy. I dare not offer the very thing I want to give. I feel worthless at all this. I’ll marry you if you would have me as your wife. Otherwise, I’m happy to be your servant forever.

Ferdinand. Dear Miranda. We’re both the same. I’m just like you.

Miranda. Then you’ll marry me?

Ferdinand. With all my heart. I shall always serve you. Here’s my hand.

Miranda. And mine. With my heart in it. I’ve got to go now. I’ll see you in half an hour.

Ferdinand. I can’t wait.

                              Exit Ferdinand and Miranda in different directions.

Prospero. I can’t be more pleased about this. I couldn’t plan it better than it’s turned out. I’ve got to study some more for my big plan at dinner time.
                                                                                                Exit.


Scene 11 (Another part of the Island)

Enter Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo

Stephano. You know, when that barrel of wine is finished, and only then will we drink any water. Not a drop before that. So, drink up servant monster. Drink to me!

Trinculo. 'Servant monster?' This island is driving you mad. We know that there are at least two more people on this island. If they’re as stupid as us, this place is in ruins.

Stephano. Servant monster, you have to drink when I tell you, man. Your eyes are almost set in your head.

Trinculo. Where else should they be set? He would be an extra special monster if his eyes were set in his tail, don’t you think.

Stephano. My man-monster drowned his tongue in too much wine. As for me, the sea couldn’t drown me. I swam miles on and off to get here. You’ll be my lieutenant, monster.

Trinculo. Him? He’s so drunk he can’t do anything but lie like a dog and say nothing.

Stephano. Mooncalf, speak for once, if you’re a good mooncalf.

Caliban. Whatever you please. Let me lick your shoe. I’m not going to serve him. He’s not brave and strong like you.

Trinculo. You’re a liar, you ignorant monster. I’m brave enough to fight a policeman right now. You fool. What do you know? Has there ever been a man who’s drunk as much wine as I have today? You’re just a half monster, half fish.

Caliban. Will you let him mock me like that, my lord?

Trinculo. ‘Lord.’ You’re calling me, lord. You must be more stupid than I thought.

Caliban. Please, bite him to death for me.

Stephano. Trinculo, stop it now. I won’t let you insult my monster, or I’ll hang you.

Caliban. Thank you, my lord. Will you let me tell you about the island stuff again?

Stephano. You bet. Kneel down and tell us again. I’ll stand up and so will Trinculo.

Enter invisible Ariel.

Caliban. As I told you before, I’m a slave to a tyrant. He’s a wizard and he worked his magic to steal this island from me.

Ariel. You’re a liar.

Caliban. (Thinking that Trinculo spoke) You’re the liar, you idiot. I’ll have my master destroy you. I’m not lying here.

Stephano. (Thinking Trinculo has said something nasty to Caliban) Trinculo. I swear, if you interrupt him one more time I’ll slap your teeth out of your head.

Trinculo. Why? I didn’t say anything.

Stephano. Shut up then. No more out of you. Go on Caliban.

Caliban. He used magic to get the island. I know you’re strong enough to get this island back from my old master, even if your friend here isn’t.

Stephano. Certainly.

Caliban. You’ll be lord of the island and I’ll be your servant.

Stephano. But how should we do the whole overthrow thing? Can you take me to his place?

Caliban. Oh yeah. I’ll take you there when he’s asleep so you could drive a nail into his head.

Ariel. You lie. You can’t do that!

Caliban (Again mistaking Ariel's voice for Trinculo's) You’re such an idiot, you clown. Master, take away his wine. From now on he'll have to drink brine because I’ll never show him where the fresh water on this island is.

Stephano. I’m warning you, Trinculo. One more word out of you, and I’ll beat you to a pulp.

Trinculo. What did I do? I didn’t say anything. I’ll go and stand over there.

Stephano. Didn’t you say he lied?

Ariel. You lie!

Stephano. (Thinking that it was Trinculo who spoke). Do I now? Take that! (hits Trinculo).

Trinculo. You’re crazy and your hearing is gone. I said nothing, you fool. To hell with you, your wine, and your monster too.

Caliban. Ha, Ha, ha.

Stephano. Go on with your story, Caliban. (To Trinculo) Go stand further off.

Caliban. Beat him some more. Here, let me beat him too.

Stephano. Go on, stand further away. Caliban, go on.

Caliban. Like I said, he always sleeps in the afternoon. You could take his books and brain him then. You could beat in his skull with a log or punch him in the belly. Or you could cut his throat with a knife. Remember you have to take his books first because he’s got no powers without them. He can’t command spirits without his books. They all hate him as much as I do, anyway. Burn his books but save everything else. He’s got some fine furnishings and stuff. The most important thing is his beautiful daughter. He himself said there is no other woman as beautiful as her. I’ve never seen another woman apart from her and my old mother, but they’re the opposite of each other.

Stephano. Is she really all that?

Caliban. Yes. And she could become your wife and bear you lots of kids.

Stephano. Monster, I will kill him. His daughter and I will be king and queen, and Trinculo and you will serve us. Do you like that plan, Trinculo?

Trinculo. Sure.

Stephano. Give me your hand. I’m sorry I hit you. But you have to stop talking so much nonsense.

Caliban. He’ll be asleep within the next half hour. Will you kill him then?

Stephano. Yeah.

Ariel. I’m telling Prospero about this.

Caliban. I’m so happy. I have to celebrate this. Will you teach me the song you sang before?

Stephano. Sure, monster. I’ll do anything you ask, within reason. (Sings)

Flaunt then and jeer them
Jeer then and flaunt them
Thought is free.

Caliban. That’s not the tune.

Ariel plays the tune on her drum and flute.

Stephano. What’s that?

Trinculo. That’s the exact tune of that song we sang in our play.

Stephano. Show yourself if you’re a man. If you’re a devil, what do you want?

Trinculo. Forgive me my sins!

Stephano. Only the dead have no debts to pay. Mercy on us!

Caliban. Are you afraid?

Stephano. Why, No, monster. Of course not!

Caliban. Don’t be. This island is full of harmless noises. Sometimes they play beautiful music in my ears and give me fantastic dreams. The dreams so real, I cry when I wake up to go back to sleep again.

Stephano. Ooh, that sounds good. I’ll get my music for free as well here.
Caliban. When Prospero is dead, you mean.

Stephano. Yes, yes. Hold your horses. It’ll happen.

Trinculo. The sound is going away. Let’s follow it before we do what we have to do.

Stephano. Lead the way, monster.

Trinculo. Are you coming, monster? I’ll follow Stephano.

                                                                                             Exit


Scene 111 (Another part of the island)

Enter Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian, Francisco, etc.


Gonzalo. I really can’t go any further, Sir. My old bones ache from all this walking. Please, allow me to just rest a bit.


Alonso. I don’t blame you. Sit down and rest. I’m tired as well. I have to decide in my heart that we’re looking for my son in vain. I’m sure now that he’s drowned. I have to be strong enough to accept it.


Antonio. (Aside to Sebastian) I’m glad he’s come to his senses now. Let’s not forget what we were going to do to him.


Sebastian. (Aside to Antonio) We’ll take the next opportunity as soon as we get it.


Antonio (Aside to Sebastian) Tonight is the perfect time to do it because they’re so tired. They won’t be as vigilant as when they were nice and fresh.


Sebastian. You’re right.


Slow, sad music can be heard and Prospero enters invisible to the others. He can see them, but they are unaware of his presence. Spirits arrive with a tempting feast. They dance around seductively and invite the king and his party to eat before vanishing suddenly.


Alonso. Listen to this my friends. What a great harmony they have.


Gonzalo. Yes. It's perfect.


Alonso. Are they angels?


Sebastian. A puppet show, more like. Now I will believe there are unicorns and the phoenix.


Antonio. Me too. Travellers always told us about these weird things that exist, but people at home always doubted them.


Gonzalo. I wonder if I told the people back home about these Islanders – assuming these are the people who live here – if they would believe me. They look like monsters but they’re so kind and gentle, even more gentle than us humans.


Prospero. (Aside) You’re right about that. Some of you right here are worse than devils.


Alonso. I can’t help being in awe of them.


Prospero. (Aside) Save your praise for the end.


Francisco. They disappeared strangely, didn’t they.


Sebastian. I don’t mind that. As long as they left their food behind. Shall we eat the stuff they left?


Alonso. None for me, thank you.


Gonzalo. I don’t think there’s anything to be afraid of. I mean, when we were little, we would’ve never thought creatures like these existed. We didn’t think we would ever see people with skin hanging from their necks like bulls, or men with heads where their chests should be. We never thought any of these things were possible, even though travellers before us talked about strange things.


Alonso. I suppose so. Okay, I’ll eat. Sebastian, my brother, come eat with us too.


Thunder and lightning is heard. Enter Ariel. He claps his wings on the table and all the food vanishes.


Ariel. You’re three sinful men. You’re unfit to live, but the sea has belched you up on this wretched, uninhabited island. I’ve now made you angry, and men usually show their true, raw selves when they’re angry.
(The men draw their swords)
You fools! Your swords are nothing to us. My companions and I are spirits of fate. You may as well stab the winds or kill the waves. You can’t hurt one plume of my wing. My companions and I wouldn’t be harmed even if you could reach us. My business with you is about Prospero. You three supplanted him and the sea has taken his revenge. You left him and his little child for dead. He’s a good man, so even the waves, the seas and the creatures have taken offence to what you’ve done. A curse is on you, and every bad thing will befall you for all your days. Nothing but repentance will lift this curse from you.


(Ariel vanishes in thunder. The other spirits enter and mockingly carry out the table on which the feast was laid).


Prospero (To Ariel) You’ve done well in making the feast disappear, Ariel. You’ve kept every word, leaving nothing out. You’ve acted well and the other spirits have performed remarkably. The stage is set and my enemies are now fully in my power. Ferdinand, who they think is dead, is completely in love with my daughter.


                                         Exit Prospero without being seen by the others.


Gonzalo. My lord! Why do you look so strange?


Alonso. It’s terrible. The billows of smoke spoke to me. The winds sang it and the thunder provided the music to it. They all told me of Prospero and made me realise what an awful thing I’ve done. I’m paying for it with the loss of my son. I deserve to be where he is right now.


                                                                                                 Exit


Sebastian. I’ll fight these spirits one by one to the very end.


Antonio. Me too!


                                                                      Exit Sebastian and Antonio.


Gonzalo. Their guilt has made them desperate. It’s like a poison working over time. Please, those of you who're young and fast, follow them and stop them before they do anything insane.


Adrian. Follow, us please.


                                                                                            Exit.

The Tempest; Act 11

A C T 11
Scene 1 (Another part of the island).
Enter Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian, Francisco and others.

Alonzo, Gonzalo Francisco and Adrian are having a separate discussion while Antonio and  Sebastian seem to be talking quietly with each other. The two conversations are recorded side by side because they’re taking place simultaneously. The two latter characters are poking fun at the seriousness of the others.

Gonzalo. Guys, surely you've got to be happy about this. We’ve escaped with our lives, so this is reason enough to celebrate, right? Every day some sailor’s wife or some owner of a merchant ship gets the news of the devastation we just experienced. Except, unlike us, they’re not blessed with the miracle we've had. Men, we have to look at the big picture here.


Alonso. Shhh.


Sebastian. (Aside to Antonio) Alonso doesn’t know how to count his blessings.


Antonio. (Aside to Sebastian) Bad boy.


Sebastian. Watch this. Gonzalo's not going to let that go so easily.


Gonzalo. Sir


Sebastian. (Aside to Antonio) Here he goes.


Gonzalo. Grief is the very thing that helps a person appreciate joy when it comes his way.


Sebastian. Cash.


Gonzalo. Cash too. You don’t know how true a word that is.


Sebastian. Hang on. I wasn’t serious. Just kidding around.


Gonzalo. (Back to king Alonso) Therefore, sir....


Antonio. Oh, why doesn’t he shut up already.


Alonso. Spare me the talk.


Gonzalo. Well, I have tried, Sir, but...


Sebastian. Yet you can’t stop.


Antonio. Let’s bet which one, he or Adrian, will start talking first.


Sebastian. I say, the old man.


Antonio. My money's on the younger one.


Sebastian. Done! And what are we betting?


Antonio. The winner gets to laugh at the loser.


Sebastian. You’re on.


Adrian. You know, guys. This island seems to be deserted.


Antonio. Ha! Ha! Ha!


Sebastian. There. You’re paid.


Adrian. Uninhabitable, and almost inaccessible...


Sebastian. Yet...


Adrian. Yet...


Antonio. He can’t help himself.


Adrian. Yet, there’s a nice, kind of serene air to the place.


Antonio. Serene is a lovely girl.


Adrian. The air here in this place is so fresh.


Sebastian. Yes, as fresh as someone with rotten lungs.


Antonio. Or as fresh as goat’s perfume.


Gonzalo. At least it seems to have everything we need for life.


Antonio. Except the means to live.


Sebastian. You got that right.


Gonzalo. Look how lush the grass is.


Antonio. Are you kidding? The ground is brown and dry.


Sebastian. Except for that one spot of green.


Antonio. You don’t miss much, Gonzalo.


Sebastian. No, except for everything that’s actually true.


Gonzalo. I mean, it’s rare and unique here beyond words.


Sebastian. Many rare things are beyond words.


Gonzalo. Take our clothes when they were drenched. One could say they were stained in salt water, or that they were newly-dyed in salt water.


Antonio. If one of your pockets could speak, it would say that you’re lying.


Gonzalo. No. I think our clothes are as fresh as when we first put them on at the king’s daughter’s wedding when she married the King of Tunisa.


Sebastian. It was a super wedding.


Adrian. Tunisa had never before seen such a fantastic queen.


Gonzalo. Not since widow Dido’s time.


Antonio. Widow? That’s rubbish. How come she’s widow Dido?


Sebastian. It’s like saying widower Aeneas. Good lord. No one refers to them like that.


Adrian. Widow Dido was of Carthage not Tunisa.


Gonzalo. Tunisa was Cartage.


Adrian. Cartage?


Gonzalo. I’m certain of it.


Antonio. He’s blowing his own trumpet again.


Sebastian. He could do anything with just his bare hands.


Antonio. What impossible thing will he say he can do next.


Sebastian. Let's see. I think he’ll carry this island home in his pocket and give it to his son to eat like an apple.


Antonio. And then he’ll plant the seeds in the sea and grow more little islands.


Gonzalo. Why not.


Antonio. And quite right too.


Gonzalo. (Aside to Alonso) Sir, we were just talking about our clothes and how they seem as fresh as when we wore them to your daughter’s wedding, who's now queen of Tunisa.


Antonio. And the best queen they’ve ever had too.


Sebastian. Except widow Dido, of course. We can’t forget her.


Antonio. Oh, widow Dido. Ay widow Dido.


Gonzalo. Sir, isn’t my gown as fresh as the first time I wore it? Sort of.


Antonio. ‘Sort of’ is right.


Gonzalo. When I wore it at your daughter’s wedding in Africa.


Alonso. You chatter about all these things to me; trying to get me to answer you. Can’t you see I’m not really interested in them. I wish I’d never married my daughter there. This has happened only because I’m returning from there. Now I’ve lost my son, and in my opinion, her too. She’s so far away from Italy. I may never see her again. My heir of Naples and Milan is now somewhere in a fish’s belly.


Francisco. Sir, he may still be alive. I saw him swimming above the waves. He’s a very strong swimmer. He kept himself above water and was heading for shore. I’m sure he reached the land.


Alonso. No, no. He’s gone.


Sebastian (To Alonso) Sir, this loss may not be a bad thing. After all, you wouldn’t be very popular in Europe with your daughter. You’ve lost her to an African. Well, at least you can’t see her, the person who caused this mess on us in the first place.


Alonso. Please, just shut up.


Sebastian. You were stubborn that this had to be done. Claribel didn’t want be married, but was torn in her duty to be obedient to you. Now, look, we’ve lost your son, not to mention, Milan and Naples. Now have more widows in them because of this horrible event. We can’t provide the men for the women there. It’s your fault entirely.


Alonso. I know. I feel really terrible about it.


Gonzalo. Mr. Sebastian, Should you be saying all this now? You should be comforting him, not rubbing salt in his wounds.


Sebastian. Whatever.


Antonio. Exactly.


Gonzalo. (To Alonso) we’re all in a foul mood, Sir.


Sebastian. (Aside to Antonio) Fowl mood?


Antonio (Aside to Sebastian) Very fowl.


Gonzalo. Sir, if only I owned this land....


Antonio. He’d sow some nettle seeds.


Sebastian. And flowers.


Gonzalo. If I were the king here, you know what I’d do?


Sebastian. Not getting drunk because you had no wine?


Gonzalo. I would have no borders, no immigration office. I’d have no trade or lawyers or courts. No riches, poverty, nor use of servants. I’d have no boundaries, inheritance, no agriculture, no weapons. I’d have no corn or wine, oil or jobs. Each man would be free. Women would be free too, but innocent and pure. There would be no sovereignty.


Sebastian. But he would be king.


Antonio. The end of his commonwealth forgets the beginning.


Gonzalo. All things left to nature should produce without anyone forcing them to. I will have no treason, felony, sword, pike, knife, gun, or need for any weapons. Nature should produce of its own kind in abundance to feed my innocent people.


Sebastian. No marrying among his subjects?


Antonio. No. They’ll all be lazy bums.


Gonzalo. I would be the best leader alive.


Sebastian. (Loudly) Save his Majesty!


Antonio. (Loudly) Long live King Gonzalo.


Gonzalo. Are you guys mocking me?


Alonso. Please, don’t say any more. My mind is elsewhere. I can't think straight.


Gonzalo. Oh, I’m just joking. I just said that so that those two weaklings could laugh. They laugh at everything.


Antonio. We’re laughing at you.


Gonzalo. I couldn’t care less. Just go on laughing at nothing like you usually do.


Antonio. Ooh. You’ve put us in our places.


Sebastian. You're the man.


Gonzalo. You men are alright. You’re strong guys. You would lift the moon out of her sphere if she didn’t change for five weeks straight.


            Enter Ariel (invisible) playing solemn music.


Sebastian. We would use the moon as a lamp to go hunt for stupid fowls, like some people we know.


Antonio. Don’t get angry now.


Gonzalo. You know, I’m not about to waste my time on you two fools. Just laugh me to sleep, why don't you. I feel a bit tired now.


Antonio. Go to sleep now.


          All sleep except Alonso, Sebastian and Antonio.


Alonso. What, Everyone’s asleep already? I wish I could too, but my heart is so heavy, it’s not easy to get rest. I think I feel slightly tired now.


Sebastian. It’s difficult to sleep when you’re grieving. If you feel tired, you should grab the opportunity because it doesn’t come around often in your state of mind.


Antonio. The two of us will guard you and keep you safe while you’re asleep.


                      Alonso sleeps, Exit Ariel


Sebastian. It’s weird how they all seem so drowsy at the same time.


Antonio. It’s the sea air.


Sebastian. Why doesn’t it affect us, then? I’m not sleepy.


Antonio. Me neither. They all went to sleep at the same time as if someone pressed a button. Almost like a lightning struck them. Hang on, Sebastian. Let me see. I can imagine a crown on your head.


Sebastian. Are you dreaming or still awake?


Antonio. Can’t you hear me talking?


Sebastian. Yes. But all that is a dream and nothing else.


Antonio. My friend, where is your ambition? You have to grab fortune with both hands.


Sebastian. Hmmm. I think I definitely hear you snoring now, friend.


Antonio. I know I’m always joking around, but I’m serious now. You have to seriously consider what I said. You know you could be a lot further up than you are now.


Sebastian. I’m all ears.


Antonio. Listen.


Sebastian. Alright.Go on, then.


Antonio. I can tell from the way you play all this down that you secretly care about it a lot. People do that when they’re scared.


Sebastian. I can see this means a lot to you and you’ve given it deep thought.


Antonio. You know Francisco, Alonso little sidekick. He’s persuaded the king that his son isn’t actually dead. He said that he’s sure he would’ve swum to land. I think he’s crazy. It’s impossible that the king’s son is still alive.


Sebastian. I think he’s dead too.


Antonio. See, Ferdinand’s death brings you an opportunity. He’s gone forever, right?


Sebastian. Totally.


Antonio. Then, tell me. Who’s the next heir of Naples?


Sebastian. Claribel.


Antonio. She’s now the queen of Tunisia. It’s like she’s in Timbuktu. She’s never going to know about any of this unless someone sends a messenger. And we ourselves know the danger of this sea between where she is and where we are. Whatever the future holds is in your hands and mine. Whatever she is told is in our hands.


Sebastian. Okay, it’s true that my niece is far away and all that. But what are you saying here?


Antonio. Look. See how they’re dead to the world right now? They could all be actually dead and whatever happened from now on wouldn’t mean anything to them either way. There are other people who can rule Naples as well as our king over there. There are also other noble men who can talk as much rubbish as Gonzalo, the old councillor. I know I can waste as much time talking nonsense as much as he can. If only you thought like I do. This strange sleep they’re in, is a gift to you. Do you see what I’m saying?


Sebastian. I think so.


Antonio. And what're you going to do about this good luck?


Sebastian. I remember you overthrew your own brother, Prospero.


Antonio. True. And look how good it’s been for me. Life couldn’t be better. My brother’s servants were once my colleagues, now they’re my employees.


Sebastian. But what about your conscience?


Antonio. What’s that? It’s like a mole at the bottom of my foot. I don’t feel any regrets. Look. Here’s your brother. He’s no better than that earth he lies on. He already appears dead. And with this three inch blade, I can make that real. Don’t let him get in your way to the top. For the rest of the men, they’ll readily say whatever we said happened.


Sebastian. I’ll take your example. In the same way you got Milan, I’ll get Naples. Draw your sword. Just one stroke is the difference between you paying taxes or not. And you’ll be in my good books.


Antonio. Let’s draw together. When I raise my hand, you do so as well. I’ll stab the king and you’ll kill Gonzalo at the same time.


                                  (They draw their swords)


Sebastian. Wait a minute.


                         Enter Ariel (invisible) with music and song.


Ariel. My master has seen all this. He sees his friend in danger and has sent me to keep you alive. (Sings in Gonzalo’s ear).


While you here do snoring lie,
Open-eyed conspiracy
His time doth take.
If of life you keep a care,
Shake off slumber and be aware.
Awake! Awake!

Antonio. Let us both be sudden.


Gonzalo. (Wakes) Now good angels. Save the king! (The others awake).


Alonso. What’s happened? Why have you drawn your swords? Why do you look like that?


Gonzalo. What’s the matter?


Sebastian. While we were guarding you we heard a terrible noise like bulls - or maybe they were lions - roaring. Didn’t you hear them? The noise is still ringing in my ears.


Alonso. I didn’t hear anything.


Antonio. Oh, it was really awful. I’m pretty sure it was an entire pack of lions.


Alonso. Did you hear anything, Gonzalo?


Gonzalo. I just heard a strange sort of humming. That’s what woke me up. I woke you up and shouted. That’s when I saw them with their weapons drawn. Perhaps we should all stand guard with our weapons drawn. Or maybe we should leave this place.


Alonso. Let’s get going then. I want to search for my poor son.


Gonzalo. Hope he’s protected from these beasts. I’m sure he’s right here on this island.


Alonso. Lead the way.


Ariel. Prospero will know what I’ve done. So, King go safely to look for your son.


                                                                                       Exit.


Scene II
(Another part of the Island)
Enter Caliban with a handful of wood. A noise of thunder is heard.


Caliban. May all the infections of the entire earth fall on Prospero and make every inch of him diseased. I know his spirits hear me, but I can’t help cursing. They scare me and pinch me all over when he tells them to. He sets them on me for any little thing. They bite me and sting me like snakes. They hiss at me till I want to go mad.


Enter Trinculo the jester.


There comes one of his spirits to torment me for fetching wood too slowly. I’ll lie down. Maybe he won’t see me.
(He lies down)


Trinculo. There are no trees or shrubs to prevent the wind from lashing around. There’s another storm brewing. I can tell with all those dark clouds beginning to settle. But without any shelter, where shall I hide. (He sees Caliban on the ground) What do we have here, a man or a fish? Dead or alive? He smells like rotting fish, but what a strange kind of fish. If I were in England, I’d put it in a freak show. They wouldn’t give a penny to a beggar, but they surely will fish out large amounts to look at some freak. It’s got legs like a man, but fins for arms! This is no fish, but an Islander who’s been hit by lightning. (Thunder) The storm is here again. My best bet is to creep under his cloak as there is no other shelter nearby. The things we do when we’re scared! I’ll hide under here until the storm has passed. (Creeps under Caliban’s cloak).


Enter drunk Stephano singing with a bottle in his hand.
     I shall no more to sea, to sea.
     Here shall I die ashore.
This is a very suitable song to sing at a funeral. Never mind, I’ve got my comfort right here. (Drinks)
     The shipmaster, the cleaner, the boatswain and I,
     The gunner and his mate,
     Loved Mall, Meg, Marian and Margery,
     But none of us cared for Kate.
     For she had a tongue with a tang,
     Would shout to a sailor, ‘Go Hang.’
     She loved not the smell of tar nor of pitch;
     Yet a tailor might scratch her wherever she did itch.
     Then to sea, boys, and let her go hang!


This is a good tune too; and here is my comfort. (Drinks)


Caliban. (Speaking to Trinculo who’d crawled under the his cloak for shelter. He thinks he’s one of Prospero’s spirits who’s come to pinch him). Don’t hurt me!


Stephano. What’s the matter? Have we got devils here? I didn’t escape drowning to be scared of your four legs.


Caliban. The spirit torments me!


Stephano. This must be a four-legged monster from the island. He’s probably got a fever. How on earth did he learn our language? For that alone I’ll help him. If I can cure him and tame him, I could take him back to Naples as a present for my emperor.


Caliban. Please don’t hurt me. I promise I’ll bring the wood home faster.


Stephano. He’s in a crazy fit now. I will give him a taste of my drink. Even if he’s never had wine before, it will surely heal his fit. If I can sort him out and tame him, he’ll be worth a lot of money to whoever has him.


Caliban. You’re not hurting me much right now. But I’m sure you’ll start very soon. I know it because you’re trembling. That’s exactly how Prospero’s spirits work.


Stephano. Come on, open your mouth. You think you can talk. Wait till you’ve had a swallow of this. Open your mouth. This will cure whatever you’ve got. I can tell you that for sure. (Gives Caliban a drink) Open up again.


Trinculo. I think I know that voice. But it can’t be. He’s drowned. I’m sure of it. It must be a spirit. Help!


Stephano. Oooh. Four legs and two voices! A super monster. Its better voice is to speak well and its worse voice is for nasty talk. If I’ve got to give it all the wine in my bottle to cure it, I will. (Gives drink). Come on. Open up! I’ll pour some of this baby into your other mouth.


Trinculo. Stephano?


Stephano. Wow! Your other mouth’s calling me. This is no monster. This is a devil. I’m off in that case. Don’t want dealings with devils.


Trinculo. Stephano? If you’re Stephano, don’t be scared of me. I’m your good friend, Trinculo. You know me, right?


Stephano. If you’re Trinculo, come out. I’ll pull you out by your smaller legs. I think these ones are your legs. (Draws him out from under Caliban’s cloak). My goodness! You are Trinculo. What’re you doing under this monstrosity?


Trinculo. I hid under him to get away from the storm. I thought you’d drown,

Stephano. Is the storm over now? I can’t believe us two Neapolitans escaped!


Stephano. Don’t jump up and down with me like that. My stomach’s not too good at the moment.


Caliban. (Aside) These two are not spirits after all. That one is pretty brave and carries some mighty good liquor. I’ll bow to him.


Stephano. So, tell me, how did you escape? How did you get here? I grabbed onto a wine barrell the sailors had dumped overboard. When I got here, I made this bottle from the bark of a tree, with my very own hands.


Caliban. I swear if I could get my hand on that drink, I’d be your servant forever. That’s some good wine.


Stephano. So tell me how you escaped, Trinculo.


Triniculo. I swam ashore, man. I can swim like a duck. I swear to you.


Stephano. Here, kiss the book (gives him a drink).


Triniculo. Have you got any more of this drink?


Stephano. The whole barrel, man. I’ve got a me a little cave over by some rocks by the seaside. I’ve hidden the wine there. How’s your fever now, monster? (To Caliban).


Caliban. Have you dropped from heaven?


Stephano. Out of the moon. I assure you. I used to be the man in the moon, you know.


Caliban. I’ve seen you in her. I adore you. My mistress showed you to me. I saw your dog too.


Stephano. I like that, man. Come, kiss the book. (Gives him a drink). Drink up, I’ll go get us some more. (Caliban drinks).


Trinculo. You know, now that I can see him, this monster is not that scary after all. He even believes there is a man in the moon. Look at him drink that wine.


Caliban. I’ll show you guys the best places on the Island. I’ll worship you, man. Please be my god.


Trinculo. Boy! You’re sly one. When I’m asleep you’ll steal my wine.


Caliban. Come on! I’ll kiss your foot. I’ll swear to be subjected to you.


Stephano. Okay then. Drink up and swear.


Trinculo. What a pathetic monster you’ve turned out to be. I could easily beat you up...


Stephano. Come on! Kiss my foot, already.


Trinculo. ...But you’re so drunk, it’s pathetic.


Caliban. I’ll show you the best springs. I’ll even pick some berries for you. I’ll fish for you and get you wood, and everything. To hell with my old master. I ain’t doing anything for him no more. I’m serving you now. You’re great. And you've got drinks.


Trinculo. You’re funny. But still. I think you make a great drunk.


Caliban. Please let me take you to the apple trees. And with my long nails, I’ll dig the earthnuts out for you. Then, I’ll show you the Jay’s nest and show you how to catch your food. I’ll show you where the birds hang out and sometimes I’ll catch a couple for your dinner. Will you come with me?


Stephano. Oh yes! Why not. Lead the way, and stop talking, will you. (To Trinculo) the King and everyone else is dead, so we’ll inherit this island. (To Caliban) Here, carry my bottle. (To Trinculo) We’ll fill him up with more wine soon.


(Caliban sings drunkenly)


Caliban. Farewell, master. Farewell, master.


Trinculo. A howling, drunken monster!


Caliban. No more dams I’ll make for fish


No more fetch or firing


At requiring


Nor scrape wooden plates, nor wash dishes.


Ban, Ban, Ca-Caliban


Has a new master. You get a new man.


Freedom day! Freedom day!


Stephano. Lead the way, brave monster.


 

The Tempest - Act I

                                   Setting: An uninhabited Island


                                                     A C T 1


Scene I (On a ship at sea)


A loud noise of lightning and thunder is heard. Enter a shipmaster and a Boatswain.

Shipmaster. Boatswain!


Boastwain. I’m here boss. What’s up?


Shipmaster. Quick! Talk to the mariners to get a move on before we run ourselves aground. Go! Go!


                                                                                        Exit.


Enter Mariners


Boastwain. (To his mariners) There you are, guys. Listen, take in the shipmaster’s topsail. Tend to his whistle. There’s a storm coming, but we should be fine as long as there are no rocks in our way.


Enter the royal passengers, Alonso (the king), Sebastian (his brother), Antonio (Duke of Naples who usurped his brother, Prospero), Ferdinand (the king's son), Gonzalo (the old councillor), and others.


Alonso. Are you alright, Boatswain? Where’s the master? We’re all brave men. We can get through this.


Boatswain. (To the royal gang) All I ask is that you stay below please, sirs.


Antonio. Where’s the master, bos’n?


Boatswain. Can’t you hear him? Please go back to your cabins, you’re not helping up here. Please stay out of the way and make this easy for everyone.


Gonzalo. Hey, man. Calm down.


Boatswain. When the sea is calm, then I'll calm down. Please just go back to your cabins now, and let us do our jobs.


Gonzalo. Okay, but just remember who you have on board.


Boatswain. No one that I love more than myself. Look, you’re a councillor, right. You restore some peace. If you can use your authority to bring peace to the elements and control the storm, that would be really helpful here. If you can’t, well, you should just go back to your cabin and give thanks for having lived this long. We don’t know what’s going to happen, but we have to prepare for the worst. Out of the way now.


Gonzolo. This guy here, he’s not going to die of drowning. He’s going to die from hanging. I’m sure of it. This is good news for us. If he’s to die at the gallows, we’re safe. If not, we could be doomed here.


                                                                            Exit with the others.




Enter Boatswain


Boatswain. Pull the topmast down, fellows. Lower! Lower! (A cry from within). Jeesh! These passengers are louder than us sailors when we’re hard at work.
(Enter Sebastian, Antonio and Gonzolo).
Again? What do you want? Shall we just stop working and look after you guys? You want to die?

Sebastian. What an idiot! Shut your face!


Boatswain. You come and do the job then, if you know so much.


Antonio. You coward. Moan is all you do, you girl. We’re not scared of drowning.


Gonzalo. Drowning is too good for you. Even though we’re in this good-for-nothing ship.


Boatswain. (to the workers) Pull away from the shore. Quick! Pull away!


Enter wet Mariners


Mariners. There is nothing we can do. Pray to God now. We’re done.


Boatswain. What, must our mouths too be cold?


Gonzalo. Let’s pray with the King and Prince. Come on! We’re all in the same position.


Sebastian. I can’t be bothered.


Antonio. Our lives are put in danger by these worthless drunkards. You big-mouthed pirate. I wish you’d die a nasty death, you jerk.


Gonzalo. Moron. He’ll be hanged yet. Drowning is too good for him. I hope we don't all die in this dump.

A confused noise within; ‘Mercy on us!’


We’ve split! We’ve split! Goodbye my wife and kids. Goodbye my brother.


                                                                                  Exit Boatswain.

Antonio. Let’s all sink with the king.


Sebastian. Let’s say goodbye to him.


                                                                                    They both exit.




Gonzalo. I would give anything for a piece of dry ground right now. God’s will be done, but I would prefer a dry death to this.



S C E N E 11


Now on the Island
Enter Prospero and Miranda.


Miranda. If you used your powers to cause this storm, Dad, please stop it now. It looks like the sky is trying to send down fire, but the sea comes up to the horizon and just puts the fire out. Oh, I'm so upset. I feel as though I was one of the people I saw perish in this terrible storm. Such a lovely ship, all dashed to pieces. I’m so devastated thinking of all the poor people who lost their lives. If I had any power at all, I would’ve opened the ground and buried the sea under it so that I could save the ship and all the people in it.


Prospero. It’s okay, dear. Don’t worry about it so much. Just pretend it didn’t happen.


Miranda. If only.


Prospero. Never mind, my dear daughter. I care only about you and your well-being. You don’t know how much I’ve done to protect and keep you safe.


Miranda. That only makes me worry even more, Dad.


Prospero. It’s time I should tell you these things. Here, help me take off this magic robe. (Lays down his robe). Lie there, love. Wipe your eyes and don’t worry so much. I know the wreck is an awful thing for you to witness, especially since you’re so sensitive. I know this. My power helps me to foresee these things, love. I want you to know that nothing happened to the people you heard cry on the ship. Not a hair on anyone’s head was harmed. Trust me. Sit down and let me tell you about how this relates to your life.


Miranda. Dad, you’ve started to tell me about who I am lots of times before. But you always stopped halfway through and said, ‘not yet. Later.'


Prospero. The time has come. I’ll tell you now. Listen carefully. Can you remember the time before we came to this cell? I’m not sure you can, because you were only about three years old.


Miranda. Yes, Dad. I can.


Prospero. Really? What do you remember, A person or something?


Miranda. Well, I can only remember vaguely. I’m not sure if it’s an imagination or a memory. Did I have four or five nannies at one point?


Prospero. Yes, you did, and more. But how do you remember so far back? If you remember the period before we came here, surely you remember how we got here?


Miranda. Not really, no. I don’t remember that part.


Prospero. Twelve years before that, Miranda, your father was the Duke of Milan with a lot of power.


Miranda. Aren’t you my dad?


Prospero. Well, put it this way. Your mother was sheer virtue. A pure woman. She said I was your dad, and my only heir. So...


Miranda. Oh Good Heavens! So how did we end up here? Did someone do us wrong? Did we do wrong to deserve this?


Prospero. Both, my dear. As you said, someone did do us wrong, and all this was because of me.


Miranda. I’m so sorry that I caused you to remember such bad times, Dad. But I need to know.


Prospero. My brother, your uncle, called Antonio. You won’t believe that a brother could be so deceitful. Next to myself, he was the person I loved best in all the world. I allowed him to manage my estate. He was number one in my domain. There was no one like him in the art world. He was brilliant and talented and studied a lot. He knew my estate better than I did myself. Are you listening to me?


Miranda. Yes, Dad.


Prospero. Once you allow someone to get to the state of perfection and brilliance, it gets harder to cut him down. Harder to make them realise they’re getting too big for their boots. He soon started to win over my people for himself. He had the power of office and a long leash, so he made them think differently. Whatever pleased him, he made them do and say. He had his hands on my power, so he wasn’t prepared to let it go. You’re not listening, are you?


Miranda. Of course, I am.


Prospero. You know, I figured your uncle had my back, so I dedicated my time to learning and bettering my mind. The spiritual things rather than the physicalAfter a while, with all the popularity and power, my brother became twisted. His betrayal was as complete as my trust was in him. He'd managed my power and wealth for so long, gradually he actually believed they belonged to him. He basically believed he was the real Duke and not me. His ambition grew wildly. Are you hearing all this?


Miranda. Of course. This story would cure deafness.


Prospero. He decided to be the real Duke inside and out – by name and by nature. My library and my kingdom were vast. He thought that I was incapable of doing such a big, important job. He was thirsty for the power, the title, for people to worship him, and for the crown that the King of Naples promised him in their pact.


Miranda. Oh Good Heavens!


Prospero. Consider his pact with the King and the outcome of all of this and tell me if he’s my brother?


Miranda. It would be a sin to think evil of my own grandmother, so I suppose I have to believe that good women do bear bad children.


Prospero. You see, this is the arrangement; the King of Naples, Alonso, never liked me. The two of them cooked up this plan to get rid of me. I don’t know all that he’s given my brother, but the agreement was that if I wasn’t there, Antonio would become Duke. They planned all this and one night they threw me out with you screaming in my arms.


Miranda. That’s awful. I can’t remember how I was crying then, but it’s sad enough to make me want to cry about it again.


Prospero. I’m not finished. I still have to tell you some more before I tell you about this present situation. Which, might I add, wouldn’t even be important was it not for the past.


Miranda. You mean the reason why they destroyed us?


Prospero. Well spotted, child. To make a long story short, you could almost say they forgot the way they cared about me before the trouble started. They took us aboard a ship, rowed us out to sea, and left us in a mere tub. No tackle, no sail, no mast, no nothing. Even the rats didn’t bother coming aboard. They just left us there to the mercy of the wind and sea.


Miranda. Gosh, I could imagine what trouble I was to you in that situation.


Prospero. Oh, my angel. You were the only thing that kept me sane. Your smile was like a blessing from heaven. When I wept myself dry, your smile was what kept me strong to face up to what could happen to us.


Miranda. How did we come ashore?


Prospero. By God’s grace. This old councillor called Gonzalo was actually appointed to take care of this nasty business, but he treated us kindly. He gave us a bit of food and some fresh water. He also gave us some nice clothesexpensive linen and some other necessary stuff which were really useful to us. He even made sure I had some books from my own library because he knew I valued them more than all my wealth and title.


Miranda. Oh, I wish I could meet him.


Prospero. Moving on. When we arrived here, I taught you better than any princess have ever been taught.


Miranda. Thank you so much, Dad. But I’m still wondering why you raised the storm.


Prospero. I tell you what. It’s a weird thing, but Lady Fortune who was my enemy, has now become my friend. She is the one who brought these people to this shore. My star is now aligned in the right place for things to start going my way. No more questions for now. You’re feeling very tired now, just give way to the feeling and sleep. You haven’t got a choice.
(Miranda sleeps).
Come here, servant. I’m ready now, Ariel. Come now.


Enter Ariel


Ariel. All Hail, great master. I’m here to do your will. What do you desire today? Do you want me to fly, to swim, to dive in the fire, to ride on the clouds. Whatever you desire, me and all my band are here to do your bidding.


Prospero. Did you do exactly what I told you do with the tempest?


Ariel. To every detail. I boarded the King’s ship. I went to the front, the back, everywhere, in all the cabins, and struck terror by appearing as St. Elmo’s fire. Sometimes I divided and burned in different places. Then I met up and burned in one ball. I was bold and powerful and scary!


Prospero. My brave spirit. Who was the one who kept his head during all this uproar?


Ariel. Not a soul. They were all scared and went crazy, jumping overboard and screaming like mad men. When they saw my fire, the king’s son, Ferdinand’s hair stood on end. He was the first one to leap aboard shouting, ‘Hell’s empty, and all the devils are here!’


Prospero. That’s more like it! Where are they?


Ariel. Close by, my master.


Prospero. Are they safe, Ariel?


Ariel. Oh, not a hair on their head touched, Master. Not even a tear or stain on their clothes. They’re good as new – even better. As you told me, I got my troops to look after the other people but I took care of the king’s son myself. I left him moping and sighing, sitting like this. (Ariel illustrates this to Prospero).


Prospero. And tell me what you did with the King’s ship, the mariners and the rest of the fleet.

Ariel. All safely in the harbour. I hid the King’s ship in the deep nook where you once called me to fetch dew from Bermudas. He was so not pleased, wasn’t he? The mariners, they're are all under hatches. They’re still under the spell, so they’re fast asleep. The rest of the fleet had all been separated, but they met up again and are presently sailing home on the Mediterranean sea, bound for Naples. They’re sure they saw the King’s ship wrecked and that they saw him die.


Prospero. Ariel, you’re a charm. I’m pleased with your work, but there’s more work to be done. What time is it?


Ariel. Midday.


Prospero. No. I reckon it’s at least two o clock. Look, between now and six o’clock, we’ve both got a lot to do.


Ariel. Is there more work. You gave me a very hard task to do. Just let me say that so far, you haven’t given me what you promised me for the last one.


Prospero. What do you want?


Ariel. Set me free.


Prospero. Not before the time is right.


Ariel. I’ve always served you well. I’ve been honest, made no mistakes. Worked without grumbling. You even promised to reduce my service time by one year.


Prospero. Are you forgetting what I saved you from and where I got you?


Ariel. No


Prospero. Now, I think you are, Ariel. You think it’s too much to travel on the deep sea, through the North Wind and under the earth to do business for me?


Ariel. I don’t, sir.


Prospero. You’re a liar, you wretch. Have you forgotten about that evil Sycorax whose envy destroyed her? Have you forgotten her?


Ariel. No, sir.


Prospero. You have. Where was she born? Come on, Tell me.


Ariel. Algiers, sir.


Prospero. Was she, really? See, once a month, I always have to remind you of where you’ve been and where you’ve come from. This damned witch Sycorax was banished for all the evil and terrible things she’s done. Isn’t this true?


Ariel. Yes, sir. It is.


Prospero. You were her servant. You told me this yourself. She was brought here by sailors and left to rot. And because you had a good heart, you couldn’t bear to do her evil biddings. She went ballistic and got her evil servants to lock you up for twelve years, in a tight container which drifted out to sea. If that wasn’t enough, she died while you were still in there, so there was certainly no escape. At least I now have her son Caliban as my servant. Wretched idiot, he wasn’t even lucky enough to at least look human. You know first-hand how you screamed and fought to get out of your prison. It was the power of my art that got you out of the trap when I heard you yowling.


Ariel. And I thank you, master.


Prospero. If you continue to nag and complain, I myself will lock you up for twelve years.


Ariel. So sorry, sir. I won’t complain anymore. I’ll do what you say, honest.


Prospero. Fine then. I’ll let you go after two days.


Ariel. Thanks so much. Thank you. What do you want me to do now? Anything.


Prospero. Go and turn yourself into a sea fairy. You’ll be invisible to everyone else but me. Hurry up and do it.


                                                                                      Exit Ariel.
(To Miranda) Wake up, my dear, wake up now.


Miranda. Your story was so strange, it made me fall asleep.


Prospero. Shake it off. We have to visit Caliban, that foul-mouthed slave.


Miranda. He’s so mean, dad. I don’t like him one bit.


Prospero. I know. But we can’t do without him. He makes our fire, fetches our wood, and serves us in other ways.
Hey! Caliban, you dullard. Where are you?


Caliban (from within). I've already fetched enough wood today.


Prospero. Come here. I’ve got some other work for you to do. Come here now, you lazy freak.
Enter Ariel looking like a water fairy.
You look great, Ariel. Whisper in my ear.


Ariel. (whispers) I’m going to do it.


                                                                                   Exit Ariel.


Prospero. Where are you, Caliban, you rotten slave? Come out here, if you know what’s good for you.


Enter Caliban


Caliban. Curse you both. I hate you!


Prospero. For that, tonight you’ll have cramps. Bad spirits will gnaw on your bones all night, and pinch you harder than bees can sting.


Caliban. Whatever. I must eat my dinner now. You know, this island is mine because it belonged to my mother, Sycorax. You stole it from me. You tricked me when you first arrived. You showed me stuff and taught me about the earth and planets. I loved you. I showed you all around the island, the good places and the bad. I shouldn’t have done that. I was so stupid. I hate you for that. I should be king of this island, instead I’m serving you. I’m your only servant, yet you keep me like a pig in one cave, while you enjoy the rest of the island.


Prospero. You are such a liar, you numbskull. I kept you in my own place, regardless of who you were. I treated you with respect until you tried to violate my daughter.


Caliban. Didn’t happen anyway. Otherwise, I’d have little Calibans running all over this island.


Miranda. I don’t believe this. You can turn even good intentions into evil and worthless things. I felt sorry for you. I taught you how to speak and think. But none of the good things I tried to teach you stuck. You’re still vile. You deserve what you got.


Caliban. You taught me a language. That only means that now I know how to curse. You should’ve saved your breath, you moron.


Prospero. Oh, shut up. You’d better bring us some fuel, and make it snappy. Otherwise, I’ll make your bones ache so much the wild animals will be scared of your yelling in pain.


Caliban. Okay. Okay.
(Aside). I’d better obey him because he’s so powerful, he could make a god serve him.


Prospero. Go on then, slave.


                                                                                Exit Caliban.


Enter Ferdinand and invisible Ariel who's playing and singing.


Ariel’s song.


Come to the yellow sands
And then take hands
Bow when you have kissed
The wild waves silent.
Walk nimbly here and there
And sweet spirits the burden bear
Hark! Hark!
Bow, wow the watchdogs bark
Bow, wow
Hark! Hark! I hear
The strain of strutting cockerels
Cry cock-a-diddle-doo.


Ferdinand. Where is this music coming from? From heaven or earth? It sounds like it’s from some god of the Island, sitting on the bank, weeping for my father, the king’s wreckage. I heard it first on the water. It sounded both fierce and sad, so I followed it. Or maybe it enticed me here. Now it’s gone. No, it’s come back now.


Ariel’s song


Your father lies five fathoms below.
His bones are made of corals.
His eyes are made of pearls.
Nothing of him is wasted
But is changed by the sea
Into something strange.
The sea spirits toll for him hourly.
Ding dong,
Hark! Now I hear them – ding dong, bell.

Ferdinand. They remember my father. This is not earthly. This has to come from heaven. There, now it’s above me.


Prospero. (To Miranda) Look over there and tell me what you see.


Miranda. What is it? Is it a spirit? It’s looking about. It looks so real, but it must be a spirit.


Prospero. No, girl. It eats, sleeps and does everything we do. He was in the wreckage. He’s sad right now, but he’s a good person. He’s lost his friends, so he’s looking around to find them.


Miranda. He looks like a god. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.


Prospero. (Aside) My plan is working. Spirit, I’ll free you in two days for this.


Ferdinand. Hello. I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman like you. Do you live here? Tell me about this place. How do I act here? But the most important question is, are you single?


Miranda. You bet, I am.


Ferdinand. I’m not really good at this sort of thing.


Prospero. Really? What would the King of Naples say if he heard you say that.


Ferdinand. I’m all alone now. And the king does hear me. I’m sad that he does, actually because I’ll never stop crying now that my father is dead.


Miranda. Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.


Ferdinand. His lords also died, and so did the Duke of Milan and his two brave sons.


Prospero. (Aside) the real Duke of Milan and his even braver daughter could refute that, but the time is not yet right for that. They’ve fallen head over heels in love at first sight. Ariel, you’ll have your freedom for this.

(To Ferdinand) Sir, I think you’ve said something that’s not true. Can I have a word with you?


Miranda. Why’s my father so cross. This is the third man I’ve ever seen and the only one I’ve ever fallen in love with. If only he could see things my way.


Ferdinand. If you’re a virgin and not in love with anyone else, I’ll make you the Queen of Naples.


Prospero. Hang on there, sir. I have to speak to you.
(Aside) They’re smitten with each other. This is quick stuff. I’ve got to stir up some trouble here. I don’t want them to think this is too easy.
(To Ferdinand) Listen to me. Who do you think you are? You’ve come here as a spy to take this island away from me.


Ferdinand. No, I swear, I’m not a spy.


Miranda. He’s too handsome to be anything but good. Even if bad spirits have such a good home, only good things can dwell in it.


Prospero. Follow me.
(To Miranda) Don’t you speak for him. He’s a traitor.
(To Ferdinand) Come here. I’ll chain your neck and feet together. I’ll give you sea water to drink and feed you mussels, husks and withered roots. Follow me.


Ferdinand. No way! You’ve got to be kidding. I’m not going anywhere with you. You’re not stronger than me.


(He draws his sword, but is charmed into stillness).


Miranda. Dad! Hear his side first please. He’s a prince, not a coward.


Prospero. What? Are you telling me what to do?
(To Ferdinand) Put your sword away, you traitor. You’re just a show-off. I can disarm you with a mere wand.


Miranda. Please, dad!


Prospero. Let go of me.


Miranda. Please have pity on him. I’ll vouch for him.


Prospero. Shut up! One more word out of you, and I’ll punish you, if not hate you. You’ll vouch for someone you don’t even know – a traitor? What, because you’ve only seen him and Caliban, you think he’s the only one who looks like that. Most men are better looking than him. To them, he looks like Caliban.


Miranda. My standards are not high. I have no desires to see a better looking man.


Prospero. (To Ferdinand) Come on! Obey me. You feel like a baby again, you can’t control your body.


Ferdinand. You’re right. I’ve lost all control of everything. My father and my friends are all dead. And I’m subdued to you and all your threats. None of this concerns me though. All I want is to be able to look out of my prison once a day and see this lovely girl. If I can do that, then I’m happy.


Prospero. (Aside) It works.
(To Ferdinand) Come on. Follow me.
(To Ariel) You’ve done well, Ariel. Listen to what  I want you to do next.


Miranda. My father is not usually like this. I don’t know what’s wrong with him today.


Prospero. You will be free as the wind. Till then, do exactly as I tell you.


Ariel. To the syllable.


Prospero. (To Ferdinand) Follow me.

(To Miranda) Don’t speak to him.


                                                                                         Exit
Act 11 is here
Act 111 is here
Act 1V is here