Wilt thou have music? Hark, Apollo plays, and twenty caged nightingales do sing

Wilt thou have music? Hark, Apollo plays, and twenty caged nightingales do sing

In William Shakespeare's play "The Tempest," the line "Wilt thou have music? Hark, Apollo plays, and twenty caged nightingales do sing" is spoken by the character Ariel, a spirit who serves the magician Prospero. This line is a beautiful and evocative invitation to experience the power and beauty of music, as well as a demonstration of Ariel's magical abilities.

The mention of Apollo, the Greek god of music and poetry, adds a sense of divine inspiration to the music that Ariel is offering. By invoking Apollo, Ariel is suggesting that the music being played is of the highest quality and is capable of moving the listener in a profound way. The image of twenty caged nightingales singing further emphasizes the richness and complexity of the music, as nightingales are known for their beautiful and melodious songs.

The fact that the nightingales are caged adds an element of captivity and confinement to the scene, suggesting that the music being played is both enchanting and somewhat mysterious. The juxtaposition of the caged nightingales with the divine music of Apollo creates a sense of tension and contrast that adds depth to the scene.