Act 2, Scene 2 Summary

Gonzalo praises the beauty of the Island, but Sebastian claims pity because it is so wild and uncultivated. When Gonzalo claims that the guano droppings make great fertilizer and everything will bloom if they irrigate the fields, Sebastian points out that they would need manpower to farm the fields, causing everyone to wonder if the Island is inhabited. Gonzalo suggests that if the Island is inhabited, "wondrous land can only contain wonderful creatures" (page 29), and Antonio agrees. Gonzalo also mentions that if the Island is inhabited, it will mean new responsibilities for them because if they colonize it, they must be careful not to import their shortcomings which they call civilization, but instead, they must keep the isle as a peaceful place where they come periodically to restore their souls. When Antonio tells Gonzalo to shut up, Gonzalo apologizes, and Alonso...