The Tempest: Class Quotes Flashcards

Key Quotes from "The Tempest"

• Miranda's Defiance: "O my father/ I have broke your hest to say so!" (Act 3, Scene 1)

  • Miranda acknowledges disobeying her father's command by revealing her name to Ferdinand.

• Prospero and Ariel's Dynamic: "Thou liest, malignant thing…"

  • Prospero reprimands Ariel for ingratitude, reminding him of the salvation from the witch Sycorax's control.

• Caliban's Caution: "Pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole/ may not hear a footfall."

  • Caliban urges stealth to prevent Prospero from discovering their plot against him.

• Caliban's Plotting: "Beat him enough.After little a time/ I'll beat him too."

  • Caliban discusses strategies to kill Prospero with Stephano and Trinculo.

• Boatswain's Self-Preservation: "None that I love more than myself."

  • Boatswain declares his loyalty to himself amidst the chaos on the ship.

• Miranda's Realization of Evil: "Good wombs have borne bad sons."

  • Indicates the theme that even those of good lineage can harbor evil.

• Caliban's Resentment: "You taught me language, and my profit on't is I know how to curse."

  • Caliban expresses his anger at Prospero for the language he was taught, using it for negative purposes.

• Prospero’s Identity Revelation: "Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve year since…"

  • Prospero recounts to Miranda their past and his former power as Duke of Milan.

• Prospero's Justification: "If I have too austerely punished you,..."

  • Prospero explains to Ferdinand that giving him Miranda can be seen as compensation for any harsh treatment.

• Prospero's Forgiveness: "You, brother mine, that entertained ambition…"

  • Prospero forgives his brother Antonio for past betrayals, indicating reconciliation.

• Antonio's Conspiracy: "Draw together, / And when I rear my hand, do you the like…"

  • Antonio plots with Sebastian to murder King Alonso and Gonzalo for power.

• Miranda's Empathy: "O, I have suffered/ With those that I saw suffer!"

  • Miranda expresses her sorrow for the shipwreck victims, showcasing her compassion.

• Miranda's Inquiry: "And now I pray you, sir-/ for 'tis still beating in my mind- your reason/ for raising this sea storm?"

  • She questions Prospero's motives behind creating the tempest.

• Prospero’s Loss of Power: "Now my charms are all o'erthrown…"

  • Prospero acknowledges the end of his magical powers, expressing a desire to reclaim his dukedom.

• The Utility of Caliban: "But, as 'tis,/ We cannot miss him."

  • Suggests Caliban's role as a servant, highlighting the dependence on his labor despite his treachery.