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This, arguably the most famous of Ariel's songs in the Tempest, occurs most of the way through Act 1 Scene 2 of the play.

Ariel sings this dirge to Ferdinand in order to lure him onto the island, at Prospero's behest, so that Ferdinand can fall in love with Miranda. It is important to note that Ariel is orchestrating this deception under duress, in a bid for his own freedom.

Ariel is invisible throughout his singing in this scene. It is unclear whether he was to be invisible to the audience as well as to Ferdinand, but some scholars suggest that early performances hid musicians out of sight of the audience, presenting the illusion that Ariel was conjuring his accompaniment.


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