Caliban

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how, by ultimately giving the character Caliban, in "The Tempest", repentant language and showing he is an intelligent creature, Shakespeare has given Caliban his approval and recognised that despite the fact he cannot be civilised, he is a creature of sensitivity deserving sympathy. The paper also argues that, by writing "The Tempest", Shakespeare wanted to make a philosophical and moral point about the taming of people who were considered to be savage and in need of civilisation. It also contends that Shakespeare had a humanitarian view towards undeveloped people and therefore created Caliban to represent an uncivilised creature being controlled and oppressed by people from society, represented by Prospero, who consider themselves to be superior.

From the Paper:

"However, it is not only Caliban who has an uncontrollable and bestial side. Sebastian and Antonio, educated and civilised members of the Kings court, plot to kill the king while he is sleeping in order to take the throne. This raises Shakespeare's argument of nature versus nurture, which influences the play significantly. For example, the reader might take Shakespeare's descriptions of Caliban's instinctive behaviour and interpret him as an evil creature, but he is not as insensitive as characters such as Sebastian and Antonio. Both men are from an educated and civilised society but they still produce corruption and evil even though they know better, whereas Caliban does not have a clear concept of right and wrong and does not realise his actions are inappropriate. Fundamentally, Caliban's behaviour is horrifying in the eyes of civilized people; nevertheless, his background and the environment in which he grew up in justify his acts."

More papers on Caliban:

• Analytical Essay # 58797 : "Prospero, Ariel and Caliban"
• Analytical Essay # 8188 : "The Oppression of Caliban"
• Analytical Essay # 58543 : "The Roles of Ariel and Caliban in "The Tempest"

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