The Character of Caliban in Shakespeares The Tempest Essay

The Character of Caliban in The Tempest This thing of darkness, I must acknowledge mine It is impossible to understand The Tempest without first understanding the character of Caliban. Despite numerous novels and poems praising the virtuous, the pure and the good, everyone has within them a darker side of depravity and evil thoughts. This makes us human. What distinguishes between good and bad people, though, is the way in which this alter ego manifests itself to both the rest of mankind and to oneself. Ostensibly, The Tempest is a play based around Prospero: his power to punish verses his power to forgive. Many scholars believe that this is an almost autobiographical work, written towards the end of Shakespeares†¦show more content†¦If this is the case, then his actions can be blamed on natural instinct and a tormented mind. In the second scene of Act one, Caliban attempts, with some success, to plead his case as the hard done by innocent. Upon their arrival on the island, he apparently treated them very well: ...I loved thee, And showed thee all the qualities othisle, The fresh springs, brine pits, barren place and fertile...(Shakespeare 1:2:337) while Miranda and Prospero took him in as their own. This situation continued, while Miranda took pains to make him speak until Caliban attempted to violate the honour of Miranda. This could be seen as an act of pure instinct rather than malice: a wish to populate this isle with Calibans is natural? His lack of remorse however, is obvious. This act only served him in being shut in a rock-prison and punished with the help of Prosperos magic. These actions though, are justifiable, if they are to be combined with Calibans situation. His precious island, which he inherited from his mother and which he obviously loves (shown by his Be not afraid speech to Stephano and Trinculo in Act3: 2) has been taken from him and he has become a prisoner in his home. If he is not to have freedom, then the wish to either win his island back from those who stole it, or at least use the situation to his advantage toShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Character of Caliban in Shakespeares Tempest1831 Words   |  8 Pages Caliban is one of the primary antagonists in William Shakespeares play The Tempest. It is impossible to understand the Tempest without first understanding the character of Caliban. Through the exploration of the character of Caliban the reader gains an understanding of his importance within the play and that he is simply not just black and white, there is also a great deal of grey. It is the characters ambiguity that enables him to be human inside although appearing bestial on the outside.Read MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Tempest1229 Words   |  5 Pagesplay, The Tempest. One of Cohen’s theses though - thesis four â€Å"The Monster Dwells at the Gates of Difference† - appears quite prominently in Shakespeare’s work. 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