Act 3, Scene 2

Original Text

*Another part of the island. Enter Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo.* CALIBAN. As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island. ARIEL. *[invisible]* Thou liest. CALIBAN. Thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou: I would my valiant master would destroy thee! I do not lie.

Modern English

*Another part of the island. Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo enter.* CALIBAN. Like I told you, I'm the slave of a tyrant -- a sorcerer who tricked me out of my own island. ARIEL. *[invisible]* You're lying. CALIBAN. You're the liar, you prancing monkey! I wish my brave master would crush you! I am not lying.

Original Text

CALIBAN. I say, by sorcery he got this isle; From me he got it. If thy greatness will Revenge it on him,--for I know thou darest, But this thing dare not,-- CALIBAN. Thou shalt be lord of it, and I'll serve thee. STEPHANO. How now shall this be compassed? Canst thou bring me to the party? CALIBAN. Yea, yea, my lord: I'll yield him thee asleep, Where thou mayst knock a nail into his head.

Modern English

CALIBAN. I'm telling you, he stole this island through sorcery -- he stole it from me. If your greatness will take revenge on him -- and I know you have the courage, even if this one here doesn't -- CALIBAN. You'll be lord of the island, and I'll serve you. STEPHANO. How would we pull this off? Can you take me to this man? CALIBAN. Yes, yes, my lord -- I'll deliver him to you asleep, so you can drive a nail through his skull.

Original Text

CALIBAN. Why, as I told thee, 'tis a custom with him I' th' afternoon to sleep: there thou mayst brain him, Having first seized his books; or with a log Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake, Or cut his wezand with thy knife. Remember First to possess his books; for without them He's but a sot, as I am, nor hath not One spirit to command: they all do hate him As rootedly as I. Burn but his books.

Modern English

CALIBAN. Like I said, he takes a nap every afternoon -- that's when you can bash his brains in. But first, seize his books. Then you can batter his skull with a log, or gut him with a stake, or slit his throat with your knife. Remember: get his books first. Without them he's just a fool, same as me, and he doesn't have a single spirit he can command -- they all hate him just as deeply as I do. Burn the books.

Original Text

CALIBAN. Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments Will hum about mine ears; and sometime voices, That, if I then had waked after long sleep, Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming, The clouds methought would open, and show riches Ready to drop upon me; that, when I waked, I cried to dream again. STEPHANO. This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I shall have my music for nothing.

Modern English

CALIBAN. Don't be scared. The island is full of sounds -- music and sweet melodies that bring pleasure and do no harm. Sometimes a thousand jangling instruments hum all around my ears. And sometimes voices that, if I'd just woken from a long sleep, would lull me right back to dreaming. And in those dreams the clouds would seem to open up and reveal treasures about to shower down on me -- so that when I woke, I cried because I wanted to dream again. STEPHANO. This is going to be a fine kingdom for me, where I'll get my music for free.

The Tempest

Act 3, Scene 2

Act 3, Scene 2