Caliban is the only original natural habitant on the island. “This island’s mine, by Sycorax my mother, which thou tak’st from me” (Act 1, Scene 2, L332) It is also clear that Caliban is the only character that truly understands and loves nature. This is represented in the play when Caliban describes the island to Stephano and Trinculo. “Be not afeard; this isle is full of noises, Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not” (Act 3, Scene 2, L136) This shows a clear image to the audience that Caliban truly loves the island, the use of positive language, and personification to describe the island backs this up. However there could be another reason why Caliban describes the island to Stephano and Trinculo using positive language. Caliban could be trying to convince them to take control of the island, thus removing Prospero from the equation.
Caliban also uses negative language when Stephano and Trinculo become distracted from their plot when they see Prospero’s rich garments “Leave it alone, thou fool; it is but trash” (Act 4, Scene 1, L224) Caliban is the only one who is not distracted showing that he is single minded and concentrates to the task in hand. This presents Caliban as being more intelligent than Trinculo and Stephano. Caliban’s love for nature is also expressed when he retaliates and describes Prospero and the other unnatural habitants on the island “All the infections that the sun sucks up” (Acts 2, Scene 2, L1). The use of negative language in the quote emphasises Caliban’s view that his natural habitat is being overthrown by unnatural habitants. The metaphor in the quote describing the un-natural habitants as ‘infections’ adds to the negative effect but also this tells the reader that Caliban truly despises Prospero and the other unnatural habitants. This tells the reader that nature is the most valuable asset Caliban has.
The theme of power also contributes to how Caliban is presented in the play. Caliban serves Prospero who is the most powerful character in the play. “His art is of such power” (Act 1, Scene 2, L373) The abuse of power is also a theme brought up throughout the Tempest. Stephano and Trinculo abuse their power over Caliban by considering taking him back to Milan to make money. “If I can recover him and keep him tame, and get to Naples with him” (Act 2, Scene 2, L68) This shows that Caliban is naturally afraid of humans and pleads with them not to enslave him. “Do not torment me! O!” (Act 2, Scene 2, L56) This creates the image that Caliban is a feeble, weak and defenceless creature. Caliban repeats his plea several times to Stephano and Trinculo; so the use of repetition emphasises Caliban’s weakness and natural servitude being. This will make the readers feel slight sympathy for Caliban.
Prospero also contributes to the theme. Prospero often abuses Caliban with his power, if Caliban disobeys or annoys him. “Thou shalt be pinched as thick as honeycomb, each pinch more stinging than bees that made them” (Act 1, Scene 2, L328) The detail language Prospero uses to describe the punishment that Caliban will receive adds to his power status. The audience would relate Prospero similarly to a judge because of the detail he uses to describe Prospero’s punishment. So why does Prospero use such negative language, and constant threats against Caliban? It can be seen that Prospero is the current Duke of the island, as he controls everyone on the island especially Caliban. However this is nothing in comparison to being the Duke of Milan. This could be the reason why Prospero contains so much anger against Caliban. This brings up the theme of political power and asks the question: ‘Does Prospero desire power too much?’ This shows that Prospero is not satisfied with his current power status on the island.
Caliban is one of the main characters in The Tempest and will be on the stage often throughout the play. Caliban is often referred to as a dirty, unworthy, slave/monster “A howling monster, a drunken monster” (Act 2, Scene 2, L179) However Caliban speaks in blank verse, which is spoken by noble people. “As wicked dew as e’er my mother brushed” (Act 1, Scene 2, L321) As Caliban would speak on stage everyone in the audience including peasants would be able to recognise his noble status. This gives the image that Caliban has a wide and varied vocabulary and is educated. However Caliban doesn’t speak blank verse throughout the entire play; when Caliban speaks with Prospero he speaks normally. “This island’s mine, by Sycorax my mother” (Act 1, Scene 2, L332) however when Caliban is speaking to Stephano and Trinchulo he uses blank verse. “I have seen thee in her, and I adore thee” (Act 2, Scene 2, L138) So why does Caliban only use blank verse when speaking to Stephano and Trinchulo? It can be seen that Caliban speaks blank verse to Stephano and Trinchulo so they will acknowledge him as worthy and a noble. Thus paying attention when convincing them to kill Prospero. This again shows that Caliban is intelligent as he knows how to get different types of people to listen and pay attention to him.
Caliban contributes to the comical theme in The Tempest as he tries to convince two drunks; Stephano and Trinchulo to kill Prospero. “When Prospero is destroyed” (Act 3, Scene 2, L146) This paints a picture in the audiences mind of Caliban and two drunks in their attempt to kill Prospero, which they will see as comical. This presents Caliban as being highly optimistic and will question the audience’s original assumption of Caliban being intelligent. This will be backed up as the three characters would wobble and fall over one another on stage whilst plotting to kill Prospero. The audience will now see a different side to Caliban; this is the only time the audience has seen Caliban socialising with people other than Prospero or Miranda. However Caliban’s character can be seen as subservient. “I’ll kiss thy foot. I’ll swear myself thy subject” (Act 2, Scene 2, L152) This shows that Caliban is naturally subservient. He does not see himself important compared to others.
During Shakespeare’s era much of the world was still being discovered and many people feared what inhabited these unknown islands “When thou cam’st first” (Act 1, Scene 2 L333). Many people believed that unknown deserted islands where inhabited by Cannibals; Caliban which is a close anagram to cannibal originating from carib-indians. This adds to the effect of mysterious islands being inhabited by cannibals. Caliban was also the only natural original habitant on the island before Prospero came to the island. “This island’s mine, by Sycorax my mother, which thou tak’st from me” (Act 1, Scene 2, L 332) Caliban is a mysterious character as still to this date it is not known what type of creature he actually was. He is insultingly referred to as a ‘tortoise’ a ‘fish’ and a ‘beast’ “What have we here? A man or a fish?” (Act 2 Scene 2, L24) However the people who describe him in these terms are people who have enslaved him so will naturally use negative terms to describe him. This shows that Caliban’s character as a whole is a mystery. So the audience and readers will have difficulty making judgements on him.
Magic is a pivotal theme in The Tempest and Prospero threatens Caliban with his magic frequently “His art is of such power” (Act 1, Scene 2, L373) Prospero uses his magic to physically control Caliban to do everything he commands or he will be punished. This will make the audience feel slight sympathy for Caliban; however this is the way slaves were commonly treated in Shakespeare’s time. Caliban is the son of the magical and evil witch Sycorax who inhabited the island with Caliban, however had deceased by the time Prospero arrived. Much of Prospero’s aggressive threats and treatment of Caliban can be seen as Prospero’s attempt to nurture Caliban and prevent him from being evil. “A devil, a born devil, on whose nature Nurture can never stick” (Act 4, Scene 1, L188) Does this imply that Caliban is naturally evil? It is not known if Sycorax possessed any magically abilities however Caliban didn’t inherit any magical abilities so Prospero easily controls him. Prospero conjures up the image that he tried to humanly control Caliban however it didn’t work. “On whom my pains, humanely taken, all, all lost, quite lost” (Act 4, Scene 1, L190) The quote also has a disappointed and sympathetic tone to suggest that Prospero had hoped that Caliban wouldn’t be so evil, and all his threats, domination and punishment would have benefited Caliban. This will question the audience’s view on Caliban and consider if he is naturally evil. As it is being presented that Caliban is indeed evil. Caliban can be shown as being evil throughout much of the play. “Lo, lo, again! bite him to death, I prithee” (Act 3, Scene 2, L33) This will cause some of the audience to believe that Caliban is indeed evil. However the audience will relate to Caliban and assume that Caliban is simply retaliating against Trinculo.
Caliban contributes to a number of themes throughout The Tempest and is one of the most active and mysterious characters throughout the play. Caliban has great effects and influences on many of the other characters this is emphasised by the use of imagery and metaphors conjured up by Caliban. The audience will have mixed feelings for Caliban as he has to put up with the ordeal of being threatened and punished by Prospero, however within a second will conjure up a plot to kill him. In my opinion I feel sympathy for Caliban because I think Prospero expresses too much illegitimate anger on Caliban. However many people will have different assumptions on Caliban presentation through The Tempest.
