The Tempest Freedom and Confinement Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to the 2008 Norton edition.

Quote #10

CALIBAN [sings]
No more dams I'll make for fish,
    Nor fetch in firing
    At requiring,
Nor scrape trencher, nor wash dish .
    'Ban, 'ban, Ca-caliban
    Has a new master. Get a new man.
Freedom, high-day! High-day, freedom! Freedom,
high-day, freedom! (2.2.186-193)

Caliban has been a slave for so long that freedom to him is simply defined as being free from Prospero's tyranny. 

Quote #11

STEFANO
Flout 'em and cout 'em
And scout 'em and flout 'em! 
     Thought is free.
(3.2.133-135)

This is a clever song to sing at this point of plotting treachery. To "flout" is to deride, and "scout" is to jeer. Stefano and Trinculo know they are fools who can have free thoughts against their betters, jeering and taunting, so long as their thoughts don't become action. This is the crucial bit that Caliban misses about his co-conspirators.

Quote #12

ARIEL
Before you can say 'come' and 'go,'
And breathe twice and cry 'so, so,'
Each one, tripping on his toe,
Will be here with mop and mow.
Do you love me, master? No?
PROSPERO
Dearly, my delicate Ariel. (4.1.48-53)

Ariel's relationship with Prospero is greater than master and servant—Ariel takes care of the details that would otherwise worry Prospero. In turn, Ariel is sensitive enough that he cherishes the loving affection the sorcerer gives him in return. They have a Pat Sajack and Vanna White kind of relationship, without all the sequins and vowels.