The Tempest
First 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
