Page (1 of 4) Quotes:
1 2 3 4
How we cite the quotes:
(Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to the 2008 Norton edition.
| Quote #1 BOATSWAIN
When the sea is. Hence! What cares these
roarers for the name of king? To cabin! silence!
trouble us not. (1.1.5) |
In nature, none of the rules apply from the court. Court members must adjust to the fact that nature is the great equalizer.
| Quote #2 PROSPERO
So dry he was for sway wi' th' King of Naples
To give him annual tribute, do him homage,
Subject his coronet to his crown and bend
The dukedom yet unbow'd (alas, poor Milan!)
To most ignoble stooping. (1.2.13) |
Even when he was within the bounds of the court, Prospero saw there were certain formalities that were below him. It's not that the island alone influences Prospero to embrace a certain amount of natural dignity, but by his nature he was always a powerful and proud man.
| Quote #3 CALIBAN
This island's mine, by Sycorax my mother,
Which thou takest from me. When thou camest first,
Thou strokedst me and madest much of me, wouldst give me
Water with berries in't, and teach me how
To name the bigger light, and how the less,
That burn by day and night: and then I loved thee
And show'd thee all the qualities o' the isle,
The fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place and fertile:
Cursed be I that did so! All the charms
Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you!
For I am all the subjects that you have,
Which first was mine own king: and here you sty me
In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me
The rest o' the island. (1.2.3) |
In the rules of the court, Prospero would never have taken in Caliban this way – nor would Caliban do him service out of love (instead of duty). Initially, the rules of the courtly world were suspended on the island.
