Caliban's Monologue
Act I Scene 2 Lines: 331 -- 345
I must eat my dinner.
This island’s mine, by Sycorax my mother,
Which thou tak'st from me. When thou cam'st first,
Thou strok'st me and made much of me; wouldst give me
Water with berries in’t, and teach me how
To name the bigger light, and how the less,
That burn by day and night. And then I loved thee
And showed thee all the qualities o’th’isle,
The fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place and fertile--
Cursèd be I that did so! All the charms
Of Sycorax -- toads, beetles, bats -- light on you!
For I am all the subjects that you have,
Which first was mine own king; and here you sty me
In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me
The rest o’th’island.
Introduction
This monologue by Caliban takes place in Act I Scene 2 of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. This is the first time we are introduced to Caliban and his dynamic with Prospero and Miranda. Caliban used to be a companion of Prospero’s when Prospero first came to the island but is now confined to a rock under Prospero’s enslavement. The speech happens when Prospero and Miranda go to check that Caliban is working like he is supposed to. At first Caliban tries to dismiss them by saying he needs dinner, then begins describing his feelings towards Prospero. He curses Prospero for his actions. Caliban’s harsh words and accusations of stolen land that belonged to his mother reveal his feelings of betrayal. Caliban expresses his anger for how he is treated, and the position Prospero put him in. Caliban demonstrates how his character is consistently aggrieved at his life.
Analysis
Caliban’s speech in Act 1, Scene 2 of Shakespeare’s The Tempest captures an intimate moment between him and Prospero where Caliban is bluntly expressing his feelings about Prospero. Caliban loathes Prospero for taking his freedom. His statements are clear and emotional as he delves into their past together. Caliban clarifies that he does not want to be around Prospero when he says, “I must eat my dinner,” attempting to dismiss Prospero and Miranda (1.2.331). Caliban is transparent about holding a grudge for being controlled by Prospero. He reminisces on how Prospero would “strok’st me” and give him “water with berries in’t”(1.2.334). He vulnerably admits to Prospero, “I loved thee” (1.2.337). The imagery Caliban describes Prospero’s actions show that it was an affectionate relationship that still hurts to think about. Caliban holds the island in high regard, unlike the other characters who disgrace it. Caliban suggests that it is sacred to him when he praises “all the qualities o’th’isle.”(1.2.338). When he exclaims, “Cursèd be that I did so!” for showing Prospero the greatness within the isle, he implies his regret (1.2.340). He accuses Prospero that “this island’s mine by Sycorax my mother,” trying to avenge his mother (1.2.332). Caliban’s descriptions show how much he cares about the island. He mentions his mother and how the land makes him feel connected to her, even when she is no longer there. He describes his confinement as “a hard rock,” this solemn image shows his despair for being alone. The desperate tone throughout the piece shows his hurt for being enslaved and the difference in how he used to be treated.