The Tempest – from Act 2 Scene 1, lines 139 to 162
In this extract, Gonzalo imagines what he would do if he were king of the island and explains
his dreams for a better world.
GONZALO
Had I plantation of this isle, my lord –
ANTONIO
He’d sow it with nettle-seed.
SEBASTIAN
Or docks, or mallows. 140
GONZALO
And were the king on’t, what would I do?
SEBASTIAN
’Scape being drunk for want of wine.
GONZALO
I’the commonwealth I would by contraries
Execute all things – for no kind of traffic
Would I admit; no name of magistrate. 145
Letters should not be known; riches, poverty,
And use of service, none; contract, succession,
Bourn, bound of land, tilth, vineyard, none;
No use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil;
No occupation; all men idle, all – 150
And women too, but innocent and pure;
No sovereignty –
SEBASTIAN
Yet he would be king on’t.
ANTONIO
The latter end of his commonwealth forgets the
beginning.
GONZALO
All things in common Nature should produce
Without sweat or endeavour. Treason, felony, 155
Sword, pike, knife, gun, or need of any engine,
Would I not have – but Nature should bring forth,
Of its own kind, all foison, all abundance,
To feed my innocent people.
SEBASTIAN
No marrying ’mong his subjects? 160
ANTONIO
None, man – all idle: whores and knaves.
GONZALO
I would with such perfection govern, sir,
T’excel the Golden Age.

Explore how Shakespeare presents Gonzalo’s thoughts about ruling the island in this extract.
Refer closely to the extract in your answer.

In this extract from Act 2 Scene 1 of Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest,” Gonzalo, a character who is shipwrecked on the island along with the other characters, shares his dreams and visions of how he would rule the island if he were king. Gonzalo’s ideas about ruling the island are presented as idealistic and utopian, with a focus on equality, simplicity, and abundance.

Gonzalo begins by imagining what he would do if he had control over the island, stating “Had I plantation of this isle, my lord –” (line 139). The use of the word “plantation” suggests a sense of ownership and control, as if Gonzalo sees himself as the rightful ruler of the island. However, his ideas about ruling the island are not typical of a traditional monarch. He envisions a society that is radically different from the world he comes from, a “commonwealth” where everything is done differently.