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| First Written | 1611 |
| Genre | Poetry |
| Origin | UK |
| My Copy | in my collected works edition |
| First Read | June 14, 2023 |
The Tempest
The Tempest is one of those Shakespeare plays I've not only never read, but I don't even know the plot of. There's a wizard on an island? who is or is not Caliban? No idea. But my recent favorite composer Caroline Shaw set part of this for a recent favorite chamber choir Roomful of Teeth, and there is a really pretty setting of 'Ariel's Song', and I wanted to look up the text.
Noted on June 14, 2023
As should probably be no surprise, just in Act 1 there are tons of interesting bits - invented phrases that are now common, or 'good lines' that I didn't know the reference. Also I'm pretty interested in the plot by now. What's going to happen???
Noted on June 14, 2023
They are both in either's powers; but this swift business
I must uneasy make, lest too light winning
Make the prize light.
Quoted on June 14, 2023
Full fathom five thy father lies;
Of his bones are coral made;
Those are pearls that were his eyes:
Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange.
Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell
Burthen Ding-dong
Hark! now I hear them,--Ding-dong, bell.
Quoted on June 14, 2023
Then all afire with me: the king's son, Ferdinand,
With hair up-staring,--then like reeds, not hair,--
Was the first man that leap'd; cried, 'Hell is empty
And all the devils are here.'
Quoted on June 14, 2023
A mark so bloody on the business, but
With colours fairer painted their foul ends.
Quoted on June 14, 2023
Begun to tell me what I am, but stopp'd
And left me to a bootless inquisition,
Quoted on June 14, 2023