Original: Why, as I told thee, ‘tis a custom with him,
Modern: Well, as I told you, it’s his habit,

Original: I’ th’ afternoon to sleep: there thou mayst brain him,
Modern: To sleep in the afternoon: that’s when you can kill him,

Original: Having first seized his books, or with a log
Modern: After you’ve first grabbed his books, either with a wooden club

Original: Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake,
Modern: Smash his head, or stab him in the belly with a sharp stick,

Original: Or cut his wezand with thy knife. Remember
Modern: Or slice his throat with your knife. Remember

Original: First to possess his books; for without them
Modern: First to take his books; because without them

Original: He’s but a sot, as I am, nor hath not
Modern: He’s just a fool, like I am, and he doesn’t have

Original: One spirit to command: they all do hate him
Modern: A single spirit to control: they all hate him

Original: As rootedly as I. Burn but his books.
Modern: As deeply as I do. Just burn his books.

Original: He has brave utensils,—for so he calls them—
Modern: He has fine objects—that’s what he calls them—

Original: Which when he has a house, he’ll deck withal
Modern: Which he’ll use to decorate his house when he gets one

Original: And that most deeply to consider is
Modern: And what you should think about most seriously is

Original: The beauty of his daughter; he himself
Modern: The beauty of his daughter; he himself

Original: Calls her a nonpareil: I never saw a woman,
Modern: Calls her perfect: I’ve never seen a woman,

Original: But only Sycorax my dam and she;
Modern: Except for Sycorax my mother and her;

Original: But she as far surpasseth Sycorax
Modern: But she is so much more beautiful than Sycorax

Original: As great’st does least.
Modern: As the greatest thing is better than the smallest.

In Act III, Scene 2 of “The Tempest,” Caliban encounters Stephano and Trinculo on the island. Caliban, still bearing the effects of Prospero’s punishment, initially mistakes Stephano for one of Prospero’s spirits sent to torment him. When Stephano discovers the strange creature (Caliban) and finds Trinculo hiding beneath Caliban’s cloak, he believes he has found a monster with four legs. Trinculo reveals himself, and the three characters engage in confused dialogue as Stephano offers wine to both Caliban and Trinculo. Caliban, having never tasted alcohol before, becomes intoxicated and begins to worship Stephano as a god, believing the wine to be a divine gift.

As the scene progresses, Caliban pledges his allegiance to Stephano and offers to serve him instead of Prospero. He describes the island’s resources and promises to show Stephano all its secrets, including fresh springs, brine pits, and fertile areas. Caliban recounts his grievances against Prospero, explaining how the magician initially treated him kindly but later enslaved him. He persuades Stephano to help him murder Prospero, suggesting they can kill the magician while he sleeps and then Stephano can rule the island. Trinculo expresses skepticism about the plan, but Stephano becomes increasingly interested in Caliban’s proposal. The scene ends with the three of them plotting together, with Caliban leading them toward Prospero’s cell while singing drunkenly about his newfound freedom.

The Tempest opens with a violent storm at sea that shipwrecks a vessel carrying Alonso, King of Naples, his son Ferdinand, his brother Sebastian, Antonio (the usurping Duke of Milan), the counselor Gonzalo, and others. The tempest has been conjured by Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, who lives in exile on an island with his daughter Miranda. Twelve years earlier, Prospero was overthrown by his brother Antonio with the help of Alonso, and set adrift at sea with the infant Miranda. They survived and reached this island, where Prospero has spent years studying magic and commanding the spirit Ariel, whom he freed from imprisonment in a tree.

The shipwreck separates the survivors into different groups across the island. Ferdinand becomes separated from the others and encounters Miranda, with whom he immediately falls in love, though Prospero tests the young man by enslaving him temporarily. Meanwhile, Antonio and Sebastian plot to murder Alonso and Gonzalo while they sleep, but Ariel awakens Gonzalo just in time. Another group, including the drunken butler Stephano and jester Trinculo, meets Caliban, Prospero’s reluctant servant who is the island’s original inhabitant. Caliban persuades them to help him kill Prospero and take control of the island.

Prospero orchestrates a series of magical interventions: he presents a banquet to Alonso’s group that vanishes when they try to eat, and Ariel appears as a harpy to remind them of their crimes against Prospero. Ariel also disrupts Caliban’s murder plot by leading the conspirators into a stinking pond and then tormenting them with spirits disguised as hunting dogs. Ferdinand proves his love for Miranda by completing the tasks Prospero sets him, and Prospero gives his blessing to their betrothal, celebrating with a masque of spirits.

In the final act, Prospero reveals himself to all the castaways, forgives his enemies, and renounces his magic, breaking his staff and freeing Ariel. Alonso repents his past actions and restores Prospero to his dukedom. Ferdinand and Miranda’s engagement is celebrated, Caliban acknowledges Prospero’s authority and promises to be wise hereafter, and Prospero prepares to return to Milan. The play concludes with Prospero’s epilogue, in which he asks the audience to free him with their applause, as he has freed Ariel.