Caliban’s background does him no favours. Caliban’s mother was Sycorax, the witch and this reflects badly on him. Prospero’s prejudice towards Caliban again highlights this: “Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself / Upon thy wicked dam” Prospero claims that Caliban is the devil’s offspring and fathered by an evil spirit, to a seventeenth century audience this was regarded as an unforgiving sin.
His attempt to “violate the honour of” Miranda and not to feel guilt “would’t had been done!” is evidence that he could actually be cold, evil and relentless and that he would repeat the rape if he had the chance to. On the other hand, we should consider that Caliban may not fully understand ‘normal’ human emotions; he could possibly be lonely. His desire to populate “This isle with Calibans” implies that he wants to have children and could also suggest that he wants his own family and possibly does understand to an extent the human way of life.
It is evident that Caliban is not aware of his actions. Caliban foolishly worships the drunken Stephano and proclaims him to be a “God” and promises to show him “every fertile inch of the island”. This is the same mistake he made with Prospero as he “showed thee all the qualities o’th’ isle: … cursed by I that did so!” The word “qualities” conveys that Caliban knows the island well, as though it is a holiday resort. But at the end of the play Caliban is able to learn from his mistakes “I’ll be wise hereafter and seek for grace” and admits he was foolish. The audience is made to see that Caliban gets something in return. The English Review (February 2000) states that “the problem for the leaders of the Victorian British Empire was trying to understand why Caliban isn’t actually more grateful to his master for all he has done.” One can argue that Caliban was more subservient than co-operative.
However, Caliban illustrates considerable intelligence. When he befriended Prospero, he acknowledges that “You taught me language” He claims that he only knows “how to curse” but this I believe is not entirely true. In my opinion, Caliban has some of the most sensitive and passionate lines in the play, “Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not”. The imagery used by Shakespeare shows that Caliban is more tuned to nature and his island. It is very clear that Caliban has a sensitive side. Shakespeare’s alliteration of the ‘s’ sounds create a soft and sensual feel. Another indication of this is when Caliban learns to possess one of the most significant traits of intelligence: versed speech. It is important to highlight that this technique and Caliban’s poetic language is used when he is talking about the island. In my opinion, this portrays his deeper inner emotions. The audience would understand that he too does feel pain “I cried to dream again” and that his dreams are his freedom. This is supported by a clear suggestion that before he was abused he also could appreciate emotion. “When thou cam’st first, thou strok’st me, and made much of me....And then I loved thee” the phrase “strok’st me” suggests animal behaviour, as though petting an animal and on the other hand could be interpreted in a sensual sense, both suggest the idea of his possible want for love and comfort.
This emotional side also brings to light Caliban’s hatred for Miranda and Prospero, he promises to Stephano that Miranda “shall be thy bed” and asks him to “brain” Prospero. I do however acknowledge that this will signal to a seventeenth century audience that Caliban is an unsanitary, vile and an evil character, rather than a character that is a combination of good and evil, as in any real person. However, the audience is also able to change their opinions when there is a clear suggestion that he is not pure evil, such as his poetic soliloquies.
With the idea that Caliban is evil, he also seems to be guilty of most of the several deadly sins. There is evidence of gluttony “I must eat my dinner”, sloth “to torment me for bringing wood in slowly”, lust “till thou didst seek to violate the honour of my child”, anger “The red plague rid you”, and in his attempt to “violate” Miranda, guilty of lust. The use of the deadly sins suggests that Caliban truly does represent true evil and the lowest form. Reinforcing the idea that Caliban is true evil is his connection with Ariel. They both represent opposites and their metaphorical associations are earth and air. Caliban seems to have lethargic movement whereas Ariel seems to have more flighty motion. One can argue that this is how Shakespeare intended Caliban to be represented, as something contemptible and ill-bred.
Although Caliban blasphemously worships Stephano’s “liquor” as the Bible, which to a seventeenth century audience would be shocking and disapproving, he proves to own a better set of principles than Stephano and Trinculo. When they become distracted from their plan when they see Prospero’s deliberately placed garments. Caliban refuses to be distracted and tries to persuade them those things are unimportant, “Leave it alone, thou fool; it is but trash” The word “trash” clarifies exactly how he views materialistic objects in comparison with his island, it is only rubbish and not worthwhile.
Caliban’s resentment towards Prospero seems to be caused by Prospero and Miranda usurping the island, which by birthright is naturally his. But, one can argue that his true intention is not to kill Prospero, but for his island to be returned to which he believes belongs rightly to him. Although he is punished by Prospero, it does not affect his use of language by using the ‘thou’ form which is acceptable for equals, Miranda is Caliban's superior too and this could also be another reason for his hostility. It is inevitable that Caliban would become "bad", and turns against his master, also because this play was written in a time when human rights and ethnic tolerance did not exist.
In conclusion, I believe that although Caliban is, physically and technically a monster "begot from human form", he is the victim of nature and nurture. There are clear arguments to whether Caliban is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ in my opinion; Shakespeare has presented him in both senses. His anger and violence is evident when he tries to rape Miranda and plots against Prospero. On the other hand, this could be seen as his attempt to get what is truly his. His poetic language also infers to this idea and is solid evidence that Caliban is not entirely ‘bad’.
