Caliban is certainly one of the most complex and contradictory characters in Shakespeare's "The Tempest", embodying at different times the poetic, the absurd, the pathos and the wildly evil. . For this reason, he is also one of Shakespeare's most interesting and controversial characters. It is difficult to imagine how Shakespeare intended Elizabethan audiences to react to the character of Caliban. It was undoubtedly very popular, as it was created during a time of increased exploration, a time in which stories of monsters and strange new worlds began to return to England. However, Caliban has much more to offer than his monstrous appearance, and although the play was written primarily for entertainment purposes, Caliban's role surpasses that of the island's "evil creature." Indeed, the question of Caliban's importance is still debated hundreds of years after his creation: is he the savage and inherently evil beast that Prospero considers him to be, or does Caliban have more to offer than meets the eye? first impressions suggest? Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay. Caliban is certainly not a pleasant or polite character. He has the appearance of a "freckled whelp, born of an old witch, unhonored with human form" and "a very ancient and fish-like odor." These descriptions encourage audience disgust at Caliban's monstrous appearance. There is also reason to think that Caliban is rather stupid: Prospero calls him a "boring thing", and his allegiance to Stephano on the basis of the "heavenly liquor" is so ill-advised as to seem idiotic. As the conspirators carry out their ridiculous plot against Prospero, Shakespeare transforms the trio into laughable characters, presenting Caliban as a comic character incapable of formulating or executing a plan. However, it is Caliban's insolence and ingratitude that inspires Prospero and Miranda's dislike. Caliban himself tells us that when they arrived on the island they "caressed him and made [him] much...and then [he] loved them", but Prospero immediately points out that Caliban then “Did you seek to violate the honor of [his] child” and shows no remorse. Through this exchange, Shakespeare highlights Caliban's apparent ingratitude: in Elizabethan times, a father would have had every right to treat his daughter's attacker much more harshly. Caliban's misuse of language is also significant in emphasizing his abuse of Prospero's kindness. Indeed, he is a "savage" who "would chatter like a most brutal thing", before Prospero "took the trouble to make [him] speak" and "endowed [his] designs with words which made them known ". However, Caliban took language, with its infinite possibilities and benefits, and said that "my only benefit is to know how to swear." The fact that Caliban devalues ​​such a useful tool that we imagine was painstakingly taught to him, once again highlights Caliban's lack of appreciation for the efforts of others. Many people consider Caliban more than just unpleasant: there are reasons to find him inherently evil. "Caliban's natural propensity is toward evil. His instincts are to satisfy his appetite and avoid discomfort, and to do these things he will lie, betray kindness, cheat, and demean himself in every way."1 This idea is certainly shared by Prospero, and indeed, Shakespeare does not seem to want us to form a high opinion of this character. Prospero, whoseauthoritative opinions among the public, calls Caliban "the son that [Sycorax] threw here", suggesting that he is not only ugly, but inhuman. We also learn very early on the past of Caliban, and his mother: “That cursed witch Sycorax” with “terrible sorceries to enter into human hearing”. Caliban's parentage supports the idea that he is inherently evil, as he has deep roots in dark magic, even though he shows no powers of his own. Prospero also refers to Caliban as "an abhorred slave / Whom every mark of goodness will not take / To be capable of all evil!" » In Prospero's opinion, Caliban's evil nature cannot be changed by acts of good - he has tried it before, without success. Instead, he believes that Caliban is a slave "whom stripes can move, kindness cannot." It seems that the only thing Caliban will fully respond to is corporal punishment, as he has no appreciation for the acts of kindness that Prospero and Miranda have bestowed upon him. There are, however, other sides to Caliban: although rarely shown, they add. considerable depth and complexity to his character. There are several moments in the play where Shakespeare arouses the audience's sympathy for him, such as when he meets Trinculo and Stephano. The plot these three come up with is the "comic storyline", but Caliban has some interesting characteristics, like his subservient nature. Although he claims to bitterly resent Prospero's authority over him, instead of becoming his own master, his adoption of a new "brave god" who "bears the celestial liquor" can be interpreted as a combination of naivety and servility. Personally, I can’t help but feel a little pity for Caliban as he vows to “kiss [Stephano’s] foot; [He will swear] to be the subject of [himself Stephano]”; Shakespeare seems to use Caliban's melodramatic worship of Stephano to show the audience a more innocent side of the character. Although it is obvious that this relationship will quickly deteriorate, Caliban remains devoted to Stephano for some time before realizing his mistake. Caliban's plot to kill Prospero, ironically, highlights some of his best qualities. Although his allegiance to Stephano is foolish and their subsequent plan is ridiculous, Caliban is nevertheless able to formulate a conceivable plan even under the dull influence of alcohol. He also shows some skill in persuading Stephano to join his plot, telling him about Miranda, "an unprecedented person" who "will become [his] bed...and give birth to [him] a brave brood ". These persuasion techniques, although rudimentary, are effective, and Shakespeare allows us to see that Caliban possesses a certain degree of intelligence. This also provides a parallel with Antonio, whose persuasion techniques are revealed in a plot to kill his master. When the plot unfolds, it is Caliban who has the good sense to tell the others to “walk softly,” and “speak softly” so as not to jeopardize their plans. He is the only one of the three not to be distracted by Prospero's garish clothes, telling the others: "Forget it, you fool; It’s just trash. Here we see Caliban leading two men, prioritizing and giving orders, again suggesting that the character has some intelligence. Caliban is also the only character to show any real appreciation for the beauty of the island and the natural world. He is certainly the character most in tune with nature; he has lived there all his life, and it is he who shows Prospero “all the qualities of the island”. Indeed, it is Caliban who delivers a particularly moving speech onthe island: Do not be afraid; the island is full of noise. Gentle sounds and tunes that give pleasure and do no harm. Sometimes a thousand tinkling instruments will buzz around my ears; and sometimes voices, which, if I had awakened after a long sleep, would make me sleep again. And then, dreaming, the clouds that I thought would open and show riches ready to fall on me; that, when I woke up, I cried to dream again. (Act III, scene ii) While Prospero is preoccupied with his magic and Miranda, for all her virtue, makes little comment about the island itself, Caliban delivers one of the most moving speeches in the play, became famous for her poetry and lively eloquence. This speech certainly shows Caliban's appreciation for the island's magical properties, truly challenging the popular idea that Caliban is nothing more than a beast or monster. Although he may not have an understanding of "good" as defined by society's Prospero, he certainly appreciates the beauty of nature and displays an almost unparalleled sensitivity in the play. References to "tinting instruments", "dream", and "clouds... open and show riches" imply Caliban's ability to perceive celestial images. If Shakespeare did indeed deliberately include these religious connotations, he seems to present Caliban as different and uncivilized, rather than evil. It seems likely that Shakespeare did not intend to portray Caliban as a villainous stock character. Rather, it includes subtleties and complexities that deepen and strengthen the character. Although the play was written primarily for entertainment purposes, it is undeniable that Shakespeare's own interests and opinions are expressed in his plays. Although he did not intend "The Tempest" to convey an explicit message, several themes and ideas running through the play suggest that Shakespeare used the different characters and situations to raise questions and convey certain beliefs. On a purely entertaining level, Caliban is vitally important. importance to the piece. The plot with Stephano and Trinculo is a comic story that provides light relief from the more serious plots of Antonio and Prospero. This offers the audience a change of mood and pace, preventing the piece from becoming too “heavy”. This also allows the play to appeal to a wider range of people, giving it "something for everyone". It is true that the character of Caliban can be taken literally, as a basic evil character; an easily identifiable “bad” character adds color and variety to the room. However, Caliban also treats the audience to some of the play's finest poetry: the speech "the island is full of noises" is noted for its lively and atmospheric narrative. All of these elements add to the entertainment value of the play and contribute to the dramatic significance of Caliban. For modern audiences, “The Tempest” is an invaluable treatise on the subject of colonization. Prospero represents the “civilized” Western world, while Caliban is the “savage” subject to the whims of a new society and a new social hierarchy. Although it is doubtful whether Shakespeare actually intended to generate such debate from this work, I feel that as 20th century readers we must ask ourselves whether Prospero's claim to the island is fair and whether Caliban should be punished for breaking the rules that Prospero himself imposed. The natural and "wild" world in which Caliban inhabits is revealed, through his speech "the island is full of noise", to have a unique beauty that..