|
Caliban’s Nature When looking at Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” one can find an
underlying themes of civilization verses barbarism. The characters that are
created represent symbols of nature, and their actions build their symbolism.
Through the actions we get a view of Shakespeare’s ideas on civilization and the
uncivilized, as well of letting the reader form their own opinions. Prospero,
the former Duke of Milan, after being removed by his brother, arrives on an
island. He frees a spirit named Ariel from a spell and in turn makes the spirit
his slave. He also enslaves a native monster named Caliban. These two slaves,
Caliban and Ariel represent the theme of nature verses nature. Caliban is
considered the illustration of the wild, a beast of nature. During the first
meeting, Caliban comes across as very savage and immoral. Prospero, when
approaching Caliban’s lair, says disdainfully, “...[he] never/Yields us kind
answer,” meaning Caliban never responds with respect. Once Prospero reaches the
cave he calls out and Caliban harshly retorts, “There’s wood enough within.”
This short reply reveals the bitterness he feels from leading his life as a
slave. This attitude makes Caliban appear to be an valueless servant.
There is
also an extreme anger on the part of Caliban towards Prospero. When he is
requested to come forward, Caliban answers, “As wicked dew e’er my mother
brushed/With raven’s feather from unwholesome fen/Drop on you both!...And
blister you all o’er!” Although his actions may be justified they are still
considered improper for a servant. Previous to Prospero’s arrival on the island,
Caliban was his own ruler. His mother, Sycorax, left the island to him.
Regardless, Prospero took charge of the island and imprisoned Caliban. “...Thou
strok’st me...I loved thee...” is a portion of a quote that portrays the
relationship Caliban felt towards Prospero prior to be enslaved. Prospero was
his teacher, he taught Caliban to speak and in return Caliban showed him the
island, “The fresh springs, brine pits, barren place and fertile...” Rightfully
so Caliban regrets helping Prospero, near the end of his speech he says, “Cursed
be I that did so!” Caliban’s imprisonment his why he feels this way. However,
the attempted rape of Prospero’s daughter, Miranda, is the direct cause of the
enslavement. This crime appeals to the reader as a good cause for punishment,
but Shakespeare also illustrates that Caliban deserves sympathy, instead of
disgust. Caliban committed a crime that deserved punishment, but he was not
raised in society so therefore did not know what he did wrong.
The only way of
life he knew was to follow and do what he feels. Caliban does not know right
from wrong based on society’s standards. Due this aspect there is a degree of
sympathy towards Caliban because he is oppressed due to conduct he could not
control. Prospero comments, “A devil, a born devil, on whose nature/Nurture can
never stick...” which explains why despite the teachings of Prospero, Caliban
reacted on his instincts. Caliban is helpless among the civilized because is a
way of life he could never fully understand. Even though Caliban is a man of a
nature he should not be considered less honorable than any character from
civilization. Citizens of society picture nature as ugly and unrefined, so this
is how Shakespeare portrays Caliban, as a hideous beast.
His appearance is meant
to illustrate the immoral animal nature within him. Despite this immorality, Caliban posses purity and innocence, something that no man of society can claim
he has. Caliban does not act to please others, rather his own pleasure is top
priority. Shakespeare gives Caliban some fine poetry, “...Sounds and sweet airs,
that give delight and hurt not./Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments...”
With this quote Caliban states that nature can be equally as charismatic as
society. Caliban portrayed as evil, but he is not as soulless as Antonio,
Prospero’s brother. Antonio is from the civilized world, yet he produces
corruption and ugliness far worse than that of Caliban’s nature. Basically,
Caliban behaves disgustingly in the eyes of civilized society. Nevertheless, his
background and environment which he grew up in accounts for these actions and
justifies them. Shakespeare uses the character of Caliban to represent nature
and to show readers that nature is not as bad as it appears to be at face value.
Through Caliban readers can gain an understanding of those individuals who were
not raised in the same atmospheres we were. With this awareness, a feeling of
great sympathy is inflicted on the readers for those who are less fortunate.
Shakespeare show that our perception of others is not always an accurate
picture.
|
