“I do not live to look on”
This shows that Miranda doesn’t like the look of Caliban, which suggests that Caliban’s appearance is unattractive and repulsive.
Shakespeare creates atmosphere through language in Act 1 scene 2, to show how Prospero treats Caliban.
“Thou shalt have cramps.”
The language used is spiteful which shows there is tension and aggression in the atmosphere. This reveals the nature of Prospero’s character as it shows he is evil to Caliban.
In the play we first hear about Caliban before we meet him. From Miranda’s point of view he is seen as a scoundrel. This is shown in Act 1 scene 2.
“Tis a villain sir”
Miranda’s perspective makes the audience feel that Caliban is someone who is hateful and evil that they will meet through out the play. Miranda’s judgement is significant, because it shows other people’s view on him which prepares the audience for what to expect.
Caliban takes Prospero as his master. This suggests that Prospero has a higher status than him. This is demonstrated in Act 1 scene 2.
“I must obey.”
This emphasises Prospero’s power over Caliban and how Prospero has order. This also indicates that Caliban is resigned to his fate.
Caliban’s persona shows that he is kind hearted and generous. This is shown in Act 1 scene2.
“I love thee, and showed thee all the quality o’th’ isle!”
This indicates that Caliban has a good side to him and shows that he is good to other people.
However, from Prospero’s point of view in Act1 scene 2. Prospero states that Caliban never speaks kindly.
“…who never yield us kind answers.”
This shows that Prospero thinks Caliban is rude.
Caliban can be insulting this is shown through the language Caliban speaks,
“…curse be I that did so!.”
This shows that Caliban can be aggressive and shows his hatred for other people, which also suggests that he can be as spiteful as Prospero.
Caliban is also seen as someone who is harmful to others. This is shown through Prospero’s speeches in Act 1 scene2.
“til thou dids’t seek to violate the honour of my child.”
This shows that Prospero has become more over protective over Miranda after Caliban tried to rape her. This suggests that Prospero obviously cares about Miranda and uses strong language to emphasis his protectiveness “violate” over his daughter. Which explains Prospero’s attitude towards him. In addition to this, it indicates that Caliban has an evil side to him and that he is an unpleasant persona. This is a significant turning point, but it is not always like this as Caliban shows he has a sensitive side to him.
On the island, Caliban has no freedom. This is because Caliban has to take instructions from Prospero, which is shown in Act 1 scene 2, when Prospero gives Caliban a command.
“thou earth, thou, speak”
This shows that Caliban has to take orders from his master and is controlled by Prospero which again emphasises the power Prospero has over Caliban and therefore reflects on how he treats Caliban.
Act 3 scene 2, Caliban speaks about getting revenge on Prospero. He outlines a plot to kill him. This is shown through the language spoken by Caliban,
“when Prospero is destroyed,”
The atmosphere created here is unpleasant. This demonstrates that Caliban is a fighter and is out for vengeance. We expect this as Caliban was angry of not gaining his freedom however, our opinion of him change as it shows he is just as bad as Prospero.
At the end of Act 2 scene 2, Caliban exits singing about freedom. In my opinion, the only freedom he has gained is not doing his chores for Prospero. However Prospero still has power and can find out what Caliban is up to.
In Act 2 scene 2 Caliban sees Trinculo and misinterprets him as one of Prospero’s spirit. Caliban then decided to hide. This shows the theme of magic and trickery, which shows the impact and power that Prospero has over Caliban.
Caliban is sometimes compared to other animas, this is shown in Act 1 scene 2,
where Prospero refers to him as “thou tortoise!” and “poisonous slave”. This suggests that Caliban has animalistic traits and resembles animals which makes the audience think that Caliban is not totally human. In addition to this Caliban’s mother Sycorax was a witch which also demonstrates that Calibans appearance is ugly. Caliban’s mother being a witch suggests Caliban is ugly, as witches are ugly and unattractive.
Calibans first speech is “theres wood enough within.” Shakespeare has him speak off stage, before he appears to create a dramatic effect. This keeps the audience in suspense, as they still don’t know what he looks like. His first speech also suggests that he is anticipating another instruction.
Although Caliban is associated with the lowest of the low. This is not what he is all about. Caliban sometimes speaks poetic language “I cries to dream again” this is shown in Act 2 scene 2. This demonstrates that he speaks beautiful poetic language and also it indicates he has a sensitive side to him. Our opinion of Caliban changes as our view of a savage deformed slave does not exactly qualify our views on Caliban’s role. Caliban, speaking the most beautiful lines in the play tells he is an sensitive person. However he also speaks of violence in lines. This suggests he is also has a vile side to him “punch him with a stake.”
Shakespeare has made Caliban the most violent and savage character, but has also given him some of the most beautiful lines in the play to show that he has two sides to him, a split personality. And that he is not exactly as evil as what other people perceived him as.
Caliban remains one of the most unclear and interesting characters in the play, a monster that is taken by a fool. This is suggested in Act 2 when Caliban is given alcohol by Trinculo, which cause him into thinking that Stephano is more powerful that Prospero whom he hates.
I think Caliban can have an effect on what people do, because he manages to convince Stephano into killing Prospero. This is shown by Stephano’s words in Act 3 scene 2.
“stand farther.-come, proceed.”
This is a dramatic effect, as you don’t expect to listen to someone who is presented as a beast. However Caliban offers good suggestions as to why they should kill Prospero, such as taking over the island. He also suggests several gruesome ways of killing him. Caliban can have subtle influences on the way people think. Trinculo thinks Caliban is a fool for following Stephano so blindly. However in Act 4 scene 1 Caliban fails to keep his friends focused on killing Prospero as they are distracted, by the sound of music that Ariel plays on his flute and tobor-drum. This shows that music in the play has an effect on people just like magic. Music is also a symbol of power.
Shakespeare describes Caliban as a ‘savage and deformed slave’. Which suggests that he is a misformed beast who hates Prospero, but who works out of fear because of magic.
Caliban and Ariel are both who are bound to serve Prosopero. These two characters are significant in the play because they are the ones who have to serve Prospero under his command. Although both are trapped into slavery there is a contrast between the two. Caliban is given a traditional duties of a slave such as collecting woods, whereas Ariel who is an airy spirit is given unconventional commands such as turning to be a nymph in Act 1 scene 2. Ariel worked for Prospero willingly whereas Caliban refused and did not do his duties of his own free will.
Caliban also mirrors Ferdinand. This is because both of these characters have an interest in Miranda. Both want to take her virginity away from her. Although Caliban wanted to rape her and Ferdinand wants to untie Miranda’s “virgin knot” when he is married to her. However, both also contrast each other. This is shown in through the difference of each character’s completion of the log-bearing task. In Act 1 scene 2 Caliban enters “with a burden of wood” whereas Ferdinand comes in Act 3 scene 1 “bearing a log”.
Caliban is treated unfairly which is not justified this is shown through the way Prospero treats both his slaves differently. He makes Caliban do nasty petty work for him. This is because he knows he has power over him. Therefore he gives Caliban a vindictive punishment. Also Prospero gets Ariel to pinch his ears. This shows that Prospero is violent towards Caliban. However, Prospero only threatens Ariel to stop pestering him about the freedom he has promised for Ariel. This suggests that Prospero is less harsh to Ariel than Caliban.
The only thing that makes the relationship between Ariel and Prospero bizarre is that a, master does not traditionally show love for a slave. But in this situation Prospero does. This is shown in Act 4 scene 1 where Ariel asks Prospero does he love him and Prospero replies.
“Dearly, my delicate Ariel.”
This shows that Ariel’s and Prospero’s relationship is not traditional. This also contrasts with the relationship of Prospero’s and Caliban, as both have no love for each other.
Caliban also mirrors Prospero because, his brother Antonio usurped Prospero from his throne and the island was taken away form Caliban. This echoes that Prospero enslaved Caliban wrongly as the island was rightfully his. This also indicates that Caliban received a rough justice and he did not deserve it, which connotes his enslavement was unjustified.
Despite the fact that Caliban was frequently referred, as a monster there was a speech that suggested he was a human man. This is shown in Act 2 scene 2, which states
“third man that e’er saw”
This indicates that the other two men she saw before Ferdinand was Caliban and Prospero. This however gives a tiny glimpse that suggests that she considered him to be a human.
Although Caliban is seen as a misformed beast, he is very aware of Prospero’s weakness although he is the all knowing and seeing one. This is suggested in Act 3 scene 2.
“…for with out them He’s a sot…”
Caliban is trying to suggest that Prospero is not any different from any one else and that the books he possesses are his only strength to power. This suggests that Caliban can interpret and analyse Prospero.
I think Shakespeare has presented Caliban in the play to how to the audience that what you look like, who your parents were, where you are from, and how you speak will make other people judge you on whether you are human or not.
Caliban was significant to the play as, the audience would judge Caliban on whether he was a human or a beast and to see if other people’s perception helped us portray what kind of a person was he.
However I think Shakespeare presented Caliban in the play to show the audience that over peoples insight on people would have influences on our perception. Also I think Shakespeare wanted the audience to question what makes a man human? and what makes you a beast?
However, I think Shakespeare presented Caliban in the play to show the audience that over people’s insight has an influence on our perceptions. Also I think Shakespeare wanted the audience to question what makes a man human and what makes you a beast? And whether it is to do with your nature or nurture.
Caliban cannot be less human than Miranda as both parallel each other this is because both came upon the island, both had a parent that used Ariel as their servant and both of their parents have used magic. This demonstrates that Caliban and Miranda are just as equal as each other.
Also Caliban is less evil than Antonio and Sebastian as both were motivated to murder Alonso in order to get more power, whereas Caliban plots to kill Prospero because he thinks it will gain him his freedom.
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