Full Fathom Five Thy Father Lies – William Shakespeare
Introduction
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is the most celebrated playwright and poet in English literature. "Full Fathom Five Thy Father Lies" is a lyrical song from his play The Tempest , included in the NEB Class 11 English syllabus. The poem is sung by the spirit Ariel to comfort Ferdinand, who believes his father has drowned.
Summary
The poem describes the transformation of Ferdinand’s drowned father, whose body has become part of the sea, turning into coral and pearls. It emphasizes the idea of change and the beauty that can arise from loss. The song reassures Ferdinand that his father’s death is not an end, but a transformation into something beautiful and eternal.
Detailed Summary
"Full Fathom Five Thy Father Lies" is a lyrical song from William Shakespeare's play The Tempest . In this poem, the spirit Ariel sings to comfort Ferdinand, who believes his father has drowned at sea. The song uses vivid imagery to describe how the father's body has been transformed by the ocean, turning bones to coral and eyes to pearls.
This transformation is not presented as tragic, but as a natural and beautiful process, suggesting that death is a change rather than an end. Shakespeare's use of metaphor and sensory language evokes the mystery and majesty of the sea, while also offering consolation in the face of loss. The poem's musicality and repetition create a soothing effect, reinforcing the theme of acceptance.
The song begins with the famous line "Full fathom five thy father lies," indicating that the father's body rests thirty feet below the sea's surface. The poem then describes the magical transformation: "Of his bones are coral made; Those are pearls that were his eyes." This imagery suggests that death in the sea leads to a beautiful metamorphosis, where the deceased becomes part of the ocean's treasures.
The poem's enduring appeal lies in its ability to find beauty in sorrow and to encourage readers to embrace change with hope. Through its gentle rhythm and comforting imagery, Shakespeare transforms a potentially tragic situation into one of wonder and acceptance.
Themes & Analysis
- Transformation: Death is depicted as a change, not an end.
- Nature and the Supernatural: The sea and magical elements blend reality and fantasy.
- Consolation: The poem offers comfort in the face of loss.
Speaker
- Ariel: The spirit who sings the song to Ferdinand.
- Ferdinand: The prince who believes his father has drowned.
Important Vocabulary
- Fathom: A unit of depth (about 6 feet) used in nautical contexts.
- Coral: Marine invertebrates that form reefs; here, a symbol of transformation.
- Pearl: A precious object formed in oysters; symbolizes beauty from loss.
NEB Exam-Style Questions & Answers
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Q:
Who sings "Full Fathom Five Thy Father Lies" and to whom?
A: Ariel sings it to Ferdinand in Shakespeare’s play The Tempest . -
Q:
What transformation is described in the poem?
A: The drowned father’s body is transformed into coral and pearls, becoming part of the sea. -
Q:
What is the main message of the poem?
A: Death is not an end, but a transformation into something beautiful and eternal. -
Q:
How does the poem use imagery?
A: It uses vivid sea imagery to convey change and comfort. -
Q:
Why is this poem relevant for students today?
A: It teaches acceptance of change and finding beauty in loss.
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