How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to the 2008 Norton edition.
Quote #7
Here Prospero discovers Ferdinand and Miranda,
playing at chess (5.1.Stage Direction).
Wait a minute. At this point, Prospero has already promised to give up his "art," so why is he still running around acting like a magician/playwright by pulling back curtains and making dramatic revelations to his audience?
Quote #8
PROSPERO
Now my charms are all o'erthrown,
And what strength I have 's mine own (Epilogue.1-2)
Hmm. Is it just us or does Prospero's final speech sound like Shakespeare (who retired shortly after completing The Tempest) is trying to tell us something? Is this Shakespeare's way of saying goodbye?
Quote #9
[...] Now 'tis true
I must be here confined by you,
Or sent to Naples. Let me not,
Since I have my dukedom got
And pardoned the deceiver, dwell
In this bare island by your spell, (Epilogue.3-8)
This is pretty strange. Why the heck does Prospero need the audience's help if he wants to leave the island and return to Italy? Keep reading...