Caliban
Caliban.Long before the action of The Tempest begins, Prospero arrives on the island to find its sole inhabitant, the son of the deceased witch Sycorax. At first their relationship is harmonious: Caliban loves Prospero and shows him ‘all the qualities o'th'isle’ (1.2.339); and Prospero treats him ‘with human care’ (1.2.348) and teaches him language. However, when Caliban attempts to rape Miranda, Prospero enslaves him. During the course of the play Caliban offers his services to Trinculo and Stefano, who he mistakenly believes will be able to help him vanquish Prospero.
Critics, audiences, writers, and artists have shared a long fascination with Caliban. In the Dryden/Davenant adaptation the low comedy of Caliban's situation was given extra impact by the addition of a female version of him, a sister. Later generations have been more interested in the tragedy of his situation: his occasionally beautiful language and miserable situation...
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