Exhibit 5.1



                               September 12, 2001

Tarantella, Inc.
425 Encinal Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95061-1900


         Re:      Registration Statement on Form S-8
                  ----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about September 12, 2001
(the "Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 1,850,000 shares of your Common Stock
(the "Shares"), 100,000 of which are to be issued pursuant to the 1993 Director
Option Plan, 250,000 of which are to be issued pursuant to the 1993 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan and 1,500,000 of which are to be issued pursuant to the 1994
Incentive Stock Option Plan (together, the "Plans"). As your legal counsel, we
have examined the proceedings proposed to be taken in connection with the
issuance and sale of the Shares to be issued under the Plans.

         It is our opinion that the Shares, when issued and sold in the manner
referred to in the Plans and pursuant to the agreements which accompany the
Plans, will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including any Prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendments thereto.

                                Very truly yours,

                                WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                Professional Corporation

                                /s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC