Caliban is one of the main characters in The Tempest, written by William Shakespeare. He is a half-human, half-monster who was enslaved by Prospero, the sorcerer and rightful Duke of Milan. Caliban is resentful of Prospero and desires revenge for his years of servitude. However, Caliban also possesses some noble qualities, including a deep love for nature and a strong connection to the earth. He is often interpreted as a representation of untamed natural strength and power.
Caliban, a savage and deformed slave to Prospero, has a key function in The Tempest. Caliban is seen as a monstrosity by the other characters on the island. He is referred to as a monster by his fellow actors on the island. He is very nuanced and reflects other characters in the play. Caliban makes several declarations about his home to Prospero throughout the play. The first speech that Caliban delivers is to Prospero himself. He claims that Prospero and Miranda stole the island from him.
He also tells Prospero that he will never be free unless he helps Caliban overthrow Prospero. The second speech is to Ferdinand. He tells Ferdinand that he should kill Prospero and take the island for himself. The third speech is to Trinculo and Stephano. He tries to get them to help him kill Prospero and take the island for themselves. However, they are not interested in helping him. Caliban’s speeches reflect his anger, frustration, and desire for freedom.
Caliban is often seen as a symbol of nature gone wrong. He was born on the island and knows no other way of life than living with Miranda and Prospero. Some people see him as a victim while others see him as a villain. The Tempest is full of symbols and Caliban is one of the most important symbols. He represents the anger and rage that can come from nature. He also represents the fear of what nature can do if it is not controlled.
In this speech, Caliban claims that his fate is comparable to that of Prospero, whose brother Antonio sent him and his niece out to sea when she was three so he could take over his dukedom of Milan. While on the island, Prospero attempts to educate Caliban by teaching him how to be civilised and speak properly. Despite being a “monster,” he tries to teach him as well as treat him nicely. You taught me language, and my benefit from it is that I know how To swear. ”
The red plague rid you for learning me your language!” (1.2.356-358). The passage suggests that Caliban is ungrateful to Prospero for teaching him how to speak and be civilized. It also seems that Caliban resents the fact that Prospero is in control of the island and has power over him. “This island’s mine, by Sycorax my mother, Which thou takest from me.
When thou camest first, Thou strok’dst me and madest much of me; wouldst give me Water with berries in’t: and I said, ‘My lord, She that is queen of heav’n, Fetch me hither berries.’” (1.2.359-364) The passage suggests that Caliban is not content with the way things are and wants to take back control of the island from Prospero. He also seems to resent the fact that Prospero has been kind to him.
“This is a brave thing you do, to come unto my cell and desire to speak with me. Do you so? You are a brave man indeed! Do you so?” (1.2.367-369) The passage shows that Caliban is aware of his own strength and power and knows that Prospero is at a disadvantage since he is not on his own turf. This may be why Caliban continually tries to get back at Prospero and take back control of the island.
The red plague has driven you from learning my language! I. ii. 366-368) Prospero is attempting to colonize Caliban, essentially. However, Caliban refuses to learn manners and a proper way of life as time goes on. Prospero’s efforts to “civilise” Caliban only make him more rebellious. The point at which Ariel compares and contrasts with Caliban is when he starts talking about “springs, brine pits, bogs, fens” (II. i 3141).
The two characters could not be more different, making their conversations and confrontations interesting to read. Caliban is also a victim of colonialism, similar to how Native Americans were victims of colonization in the United States. He has been reduced to nothing and his land has been taken away from him. The Tempest is an interesting play because it can be interpreted in many ways.
One way is just as a story about magic and otherworldly creatures. However, it can also be interpreted as a story about colonialism and the effects it has on people. Caliban is a character who represents the victim of colonialism. He is someone who has lost everything and been reduced to nothing. He is not given a voice throughout the play and he is constantly being talked down to by Prospero.
However, Caliban does have a voice and he does speak up for himself. He is not afraid to confront Prospero and he is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in. Caliban may be seen as a villain or as a victim, depending on how you look at the play. However, he is an interesting character to read about and think about.
Caliban maintains his independence and self-dignity by willingly serving Prospero, but he achieves his worth in a different way by refusing to bow before Prospero’s intimidation. Caliban also compares and contrasts with another figure, Ferdinand. They have similar interests in unraveling Miranda’s “virgin knot.” Ferdinand plans on marrying Miranda, while Caliban attempted to rape her. In his first conversation with Prospero, Caliban sorrowfully recalls how he showed him the entire island whenProspero initially arrived.
The audience sees Caliban as a savage creature, but Shakespeare also makes him a sympathetic character. The playwright allows the character to reveal his own story and show his vulnerability. The uneducated Caliban is often mocked by Prospero for his illiteracy, but Shakespeare does not allow us to forget that Caliban possesses other forms of intelligence.
The island is full of wonders that Caliban knows very well and he also has some knowledge about magic. He truly is an inhabitant of the island, which Prospero forcibly took away from him. The more we learn about Caliban, the more complicated he becomes. In the end, it’s hard to label him as purely good or evil.
