The Tempest in modern English, scene by scene

About this translation

Every scene of The Tempest is set out twice: William Shakespeare’s words on one side, and on the other a plain modern English rendering of the same lines, in the same order. It is a way to read the original, not a replacement for it — the rendering says what the text says, and the text is the thing you quote.

Line numbers count the verse lines of each scene in the public-domain Project Gutenberg edition these pages are set from, so they may not match the numbering in a printed edition.

1. Act 1, Scene 1 — On a ship at sea; a tempestuous noise of thunder and lightningBoatswain!
2. Act 1, Scene 2 — The Island. Before the cell of Prospero.If you have used your magic, my dearest father, to make the wild waters roar like this…

1. Act 2, Scene 1 — Another part of the island.Please, sir, cheer up. You have reason to be glad, and so do all of us, because our…
2. Act 2, Scene 2 — Another part of the island.May every infection that the sun draws up out of bogs, marshes and swamps fall on…

1. Act 3, Scene 1 — Before Prospero’s cell.There are some games that are hard work, and the effort in them makes them more of a…
2. Act 3, Scene 2 — Another part of the island.Don't talk to me — when the barrel is empty we'll drink water; not a drop before then. So…
3. Act 3, Scene 3 — Another part of the island.By Our Lady, I can go no further, sir. My old bones ache. This really has been a maze we…

1. Act 4, Scene 1 — Before Prospero’s cell.If I have punished you too harshly, your reward makes up for it, because I have given you…

1. Act 5, Scene 1 — Before the cell of Prospero.Now my plan is coming to its crisis. My spells are holding; my spirits obey; and time…
2. Epilogue — EpilogueNow my spells are all overthrown, and the only strength I have is my own, which is very…