November 13 | The Tempest | Act 3 Scene 2
Shakespeare stimulates every sense, giving images a smell, a sound, and a colour even when he doesn’t mention those aspects explicitly. When read or heard, the language can be completely immersive, particularly in the later plays. However complex Caliban of The Tempest may be, what is certain is that he speaks one of the most beautiful speeches in the play. The words themselves, like the isle he talks of, hum with gentle sounds and sweet airs.
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.