Caliban the Cannibal

            Caliban, the son of Sycorax, is seen as the only as the only non-human figure on the island. He inhabited the island before any of the other characters, and claimed it as his own. When Prospero and Miranda arrive, Caliban shows them how to survive on the island and in return, Prospero and Miranda teach Caliban their language and religion. After the attempted rape of Miranda, Caliban becomes enslaved by Prospero, and their relationship turns for the worst.

            Caliban is viewed as a monster or deformed man. Most of his lines are often short and simple, but his speeches that express his are often wordy and beautiful. His most famous…..

Act3.3:134-142

Caliban: But not afeard: the isle is full of noises,

Sounds and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not.

Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments

Wil hum about mine ears; and sometime voices

That, if I then had waked after long sleep,

Will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming,

The clouds methought would open and show riches

Ready to drop upon me, that, when I waked,

I cried to dream again

            This speech is given when Caliban is trying to be accepted by Stephano. He spends much “God”, Stephano the drunk. These scenes in the play are obviously viewed as the comedic parts, as a fool is being taken advantage of by everyone. Similarly, Caliban is kind to Stephano just as he was with Prospero. It seems as if he views them as a sign of hope since he was betrayed by Prospero, but yet again, Caliban gets the short end of the stick as the play progresses. It is the uncultivated that continuously being usurped by “natural” men. 

Kyle T. Doss