Tempest #3
Why would Caliban willingly worship Stephano and want to give him power over himself
and the island? How is Stephano different from Prospero?
Caliban, the son of the witch Sycorax, is the only true inhabitant of the island in which the Tempest takes place. When Prospero is betrayed by his brother and the nobles he, against all odds, survives and finds himself alone on an island with only his daughter and a "monster." Believing himself superior to Caliban's savageness, Prospero identifies him as his slave. Caliban understandingly does not appreciate this course of action by Prospero and wishes to be set free. Thus, when Stephano arrives on scene, Caliban sees him as a possible savior from his confinement and servitude. However, if Stephano was just going to take control over him as had Prospero, why would Caliban still want him to gain Prospero's former power?
Firstly, Stephano gives Caliban wine which "heals" him and Caliban begins to nearly worship Stephano. Their subsequent state of drunkenness allows them to generate the idea that they should murder Prospero and give Stephano power. Caliban also prefers Stephano over Prospero because he is quite gullible and believes everything that Caliban says, as seen in Act 3 Scene 2. However, I believe that the most important reason why Caliban wants Stephano to rule the island is because they are closer in class than he and Prospero and thus Stephano is more understanding.
The struggle between classes is a significant motif in the Tempest, as I predicted in my first blog post.
This was first seen between the boatswain, sailors, and nobles in the first scene. The nobles felt that they were more deserving of life than the others on the ship, but the sailors were the only ones who could save the ship from the tempest. In this instance, everyone had to recognize their common fate of the very real possibility of death. This is seen again with Prospero thinking his life more valuable than that of Caliban. Prospero thought also that it was his duty to humanize, educate, and better Caliban, somewhat like the White Man's Burden (this is also seen in TPB when Nathan "brings civilization" to the Congolese when they don't need him). Stephano, on the other hand, being a butler to Alonso himself understands that although Caliban is much different from him, his life is just as valuable.
and the island? How is Stephano different from Prospero?
Caliban, the son of the witch Sycorax, is the only true inhabitant of the island in which the Tempest takes place. When Prospero is betrayed by his brother and the nobles he, against all odds, survives and finds himself alone on an island with only his daughter and a "monster." Believing himself superior to Caliban's savageness, Prospero identifies him as his slave. Caliban understandingly does not appreciate this course of action by Prospero and wishes to be set free. Thus, when Stephano arrives on scene, Caliban sees him as a possible savior from his confinement and servitude. However, if Stephano was just going to take control over him as had Prospero, why would Caliban still want him to gain Prospero's former power?
Firstly, Stephano gives Caliban wine which "heals" him and Caliban begins to nearly worship Stephano. Their subsequent state of drunkenness allows them to generate the idea that they should murder Prospero and give Stephano power. Caliban also prefers Stephano over Prospero because he is quite gullible and believes everything that Caliban says, as seen in Act 3 Scene 2. However, I believe that the most important reason why Caliban wants Stephano to rule the island is because they are closer in class than he and Prospero and thus Stephano is more understanding.
The struggle between classes is a significant motif in the Tempest, as I predicted in my first blog post.
This was first seen between the boatswain, sailors, and nobles in the first scene. The nobles felt that they were more deserving of life than the others on the ship, but the sailors were the only ones who could save the ship from the tempest. In this instance, everyone had to recognize their common fate of the very real possibility of death. This is seen again with Prospero thinking his life more valuable than that of Caliban. Prospero thought also that it was his duty to humanize, educate, and better Caliban, somewhat like the White Man's Burden (this is also seen in TPB when Nathan "brings civilization" to the Congolese when they don't need him). Stephano, on the other hand, being a butler to Alonso himself understands that although Caliban is much different from him, his life is just as valuable.
Hey Claire — great post! That is so cool that you predicted this class struggle from the very beginning. Very intuitive. I ask you, did this struggle present itself in the ways you thought it would, or were any of the social norms and class themes surprising to you? Caliban thought that Stephano was some sort of god or spirit, and so he agrees to be his most faithful servant, but he still does not have his freedom. He is trading one lord for another. I wonder if this is indicative of society, and if Shakespeare intentionally kept Caliban in this cycle of imprisonment. He is always being ruled over. Historically, the most common instance of rebellion is when the people under a government are unhappy. People call for change when they are unhappy with their circumstance— but this often ends with swapping one unfair government or ruling class with another. Does the Island represents a paradise or the inability to escape the faults of society because of the social contract.
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