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Source identified
“The rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance.”

William Shakespeare · Fictional character · Prospero

Source
The Tempest
Date
c. 1611
Attribution
Source identified
Voice / speaker
Fictional character · Prospero
Meaning

What does this quote mean?

Prospero chooses deliberate mercy over retaliation, presenting forgiveness not as weakness but as the more difficult exercise of reason and character.

Source context

Where does it come from?

The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1; Prospero decides against vengeance after considering the suffering of his enemies.

Primary / edition source ↗

Voice attribution

Who voices the line?

Fictional character · Prospero. Prospero says this in The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1, while deciding to abandon vengeance.

The source author and the local speaker can be different, especially in fiction, drama, dialogue and poetry.

Attribution

How should this attribution be read?

This wording is connected with the named source shown above. Translations and editions can vary, so consult the source note when exact wording matters.

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Themes

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