The Many Populates of Caliban

In my short dealings with William Shakespeare and his work, without a doubt Caliban from The Tempest is one of the most intriguing minor characters. He takes on a distinct image, as the only island native in the entire play, yet it seems at one point or another he takes on or reflects pieces of all the other characters. This subtle connection with all of those around him serves to drive one of Shakespeare's main themes in differing between "man" and "beast," as well as promote the idea of illusion or false perception throughout the play.

Caliban's background stems from his mother Sycorax, a deceased witch of the island. Given her passing Caliban is left as the lone native, yet still Prospero was able to come marooned to the island and take control for over twelve years. This relationship is what sets the dark skinned Caliban to be perceived as somewhat of a savage or "beast,"as it seems Prospero's magical abilities have a "taming" effect over the native. Yet as the relationship makes Prospero seem more a "man" and distant from the animalistic Caliban, it also draws him closer. Back in Milan, Prospero was driven from his dukedom by his brother Antonio, with a similar view of the island it seems that Prospero actually did the same thing to Caliban in driving him from his rightful place as native leader. The parallels are but a small example of how one of Caliban's reflecting relationships serve to drive illusion and man vs. beast themes in The Tempest. He not only does it with Prospero, but Caliban mirrors other characters and ideas in this same manner constantly.

Whether Caliban is cursing his telling Prospero all of his island secrets, or offering them up to Trinculo and Stephano to plot the killing of Prospero, which then mirrors Anotonio and Sebastian across the island considering the killing of Alonso, or even contrasting Ferdinand with their respective "loves" for Miranda - Caliban is a minor character with an extremely MAJOR characterization. Yet personally, I'll always have a tough time neglecting his fantasy of populating the island with little Calibans... its really a shame Shakespeare didn't come out of retirement for a sequel.