Caliban (Theatre)

THE TEMPEST tells the story of Prospero the ex-Duke of Milan, also a magician who, together with his daughter Miranda was exiled on an island for twelve years. On this island were Ariel a gentle spirit and Caliban, a “monster” to whom belongs the island.

Through magic and the help of Ariel, Prospero is able to cause a storm and wreck the ship upon which those who had usurped his dukedom in Milan were bound for home from Carthage, after the wedding of the King of Naples, Alonso. Alonso twelve years earlier had assisted Prospero’s brother Antonio to take over the dukedom of Milan.

In the wreck, the castaways include Antonio, Alonso’s son Ferdinand, his butler, jester and counselor. With all his enemies in one “corral” Prospero turns on more of his magic, bringing the castaways who were unaware of one another’s presence on the island, into his orbit with a fantastical show. Alonso is united with his son Ferdinand whom he thought had perished in the tempest and all are forgiven.

On the outset Prospero seems heroic and magnanimous yet he cheats Ariel out of an early retirement and enslaves Caliban on his own island by usurping all the best foods and sights of the island. He has an appetite for revenge against his enemies yet for selfish reasons (Miranda’s love for Ferdinand) forgives them all.

Caliban on the other hand seems a “monster” for attacking Miranda but is a sensitive individual who feels music in the air, loves Nature and is proud of his island. He is heroic in the manner in which he resists the command of Prospero to become his permanent slave.