In the role of any one of the characters you have met in the play so far, give a brief account of what it is like being who you are.

The except of The Tempest that we studied in class gives a monster-like, naive perspective of the character Caliban. Caliban who is a monster of the Earth, alongside Ariel the spirit of the air, were trapped on an island by Caliban’s witch mother Sycorax. Meanwhile, Prospero, the exiled duke of Milan and his daughter Miranda become shipwrecked from the mainland onto the island that possessed dark magic. However, Prospero uses his white magic which he learnt from his dedication to knowledge and books to free Caliban and Ariel from the dark magic and educate these characters.  Readers are initially confronted with Caliban’s history on the island, where it is revealed that Caliban tried to assault Miranda in the second scene of the play. Throughout the play, readers eventually sympathise with Caliban’s character as it is revealed that he has experienced post-colonial  treatment and is depicted as being degenerate in nature. From the brief context of the play I will now try to show the perspective of Caliban from his own point of view.

(1.2.244) Prospero – Thou most lying slave, Whom stripes may move, not kindness. I have used thee (Filth as thou art) with humane care, and lodged thee In mine own cell till thou didst seek to violate The honor of my child.

Caliban – O! Me thinks that thou is thy Liar! The fault’s Your own and it was thou that tak’st the isle from Caliban. I slept and dreamt, O! so peacefully before thou came to pinch’d and maketh me into something ungodly. Prithee! I show’d thee gardens, fruit and sticks. In return, Caliban is named thy monster. Prithee! I dug and swam the farthest seas to find the freshest fish for thou. In return, thou lock’d me in the cell, without air! O! By God! Thou forc’d me to know the language of curse, Then to torment me. Prithee! I must be free! No more master, Caliban is free! Freedom, high-day, high-day freedom! (2.2.182)

Prospero – Thou think’st not a monster? Alas thou is the worst kind. Ungoldy creature is without care for thou knowledge. Knowledge is thy power! O! Thou must use thy tongue for word of the good! And, by this time thou will be liberated.

Caliban – I’ll not serve for thou, I am subject to a tyrant, A sorcerer, that by his cunning that Cheated me of the island.  I do not lie.  (3.2.44) For without thy power, thou is weak. Prospero will need Caliban!  Thou must burn thy books and Caliban will be free! For I, am the thy foot-licker of only the good Kings, Stephano and Trinculo! Thou show’d me the spirits of the Earth and thy is more than a King than thou!

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