Prospero - Quotes
English Lit: AQA GCSE The Tempest, topic 11.1.1
Key Quotations for Prospero
Here are three key quotations that highlight aspects of Prospero's character:
'If thou more murmur'st, I will rend an oak'
- 'If thou more murmur'st, I will rend an oak / And peg thee in his knotty entrails till / Thou hast howled away twelve winters.'
- Here Prospero is telling Ariel off for questioning him.
- This highlights that Prospero is tyrannical and controlling, as well as forgiving.
'Now my charms are all o'erthrown'
- 'Now my charms are all o'erthrown, / And what strength I have’s mine own'.
- Prospero gives up his magic once he has achieved his goals - this shows that he is not abusing or controlled by magic.
'But release me from my bands'
- 'But release me from my bands / With the help of your good hands.'
- This line is from The Epilogue. Here Prospero seems to be addressing the audience.
- But it could also be Shakespeare speaking to his audience - as this was one of his last plays.