Question
Ariel. ... Your charm so strongly works 'em
That if you now beheld them, your affections
Would become tender.
Prospero.
Dost thou think so, spirit?
Ariel. Mine would, sir, were I human.
Prospero.
And mine shall.
Hast thou, which art but air, a touch, a feeling
Of their afflictions, and shall not myself,
One of their kind, that relish all as sharply,
Passion as they, be kindlier moved than thou art?
Though with their high wrongs I am struck to th' quick,
Yet with my nobler reason gainst my fury
Do I take part. The rarer action is
In virtue than in vengeance. They being penitent, I
The sole drift of my purpose doth extend
Not a frown further. Go, release them, Ariel.
My charms I'lI break, their senses I'll restore,
And they shall be themselves.
Ariel.
I'll fetch them, sir. [Exit.]
Answer
Prospero is discussing with Ariel about the possibility of him becoming tender towards the people he has wronged. Ariel believes that Prospero would become tender if he were to see their afflictions. Prospero agrees and states that he, being one of their kind, would be moved even more than Ariel. Despite being struck to the quick by their high wrongs, Prospero chooses to take the nobler action of virtue over vengeance. He instructs Ariel to release them and restore their senses.