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The Tempest

Critique • Quotes • Text

First page of The Tempest in first folioFirst folio, 1623
Publication details ▽ Publication details △

First performance
1611

Literature form
Play

Genres
Comedy

Writing language
English

Author's country
England

Length
Five acts, 2,283 lines, approx. 16,000 words

Notable lines

Boatswain!

Here, master: what cheer?

Good, speak to the mariners: fall to’t, yarely, or we run ourselves aground: bestir, bestir.

— First lines

Me, poor man, my library
Was dukedom large enough

 

"Hell is empty
And all the devils are here."

 

Good wombs have borne bad sons.

 

We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.

 

How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world
That has such people in't

 

As you from crimes would pardon'd be,
Let your indulgence set me free.

— Last lines

 

Critique • Quotes • Text