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The Tempest Contrasting Regions Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to the 2008 Norton edition.

Quote #10

STEFANO
Every man shift for all the rest, and let no
man take care for himself, for all is but fortune.
Coragio, bully-monster, coragio. (5.1.310-312)

Stefano, rather drunk, mistakes the saying "every man for himself."  What he comes up with, though it's supposed to be funny, is actually a pretty apt description of court rules, which place the nobles' welfare before all others. Stefano unintentionally outlines the underlying difference between the pastoral and courtly world.