"The Tempest"

            In the opening of "The Tempest" Act 2 and Scene 2, Caliban reveals many punishments and torments that follow him. He says that Prospero's spirit is near him – "His spirits hear me – " (Shakespeare 77, 3). He says the spirits are like monkeys "Sometimes like apes, they now and chatter at me And after bite me;" (Shakespeare 77, 9-10). He also says they are like hedgehogs who poke him with their sharp spines. "then like hedgehogs, which Lie tumbling in my barefoot way and mount Their pricks at my footfall" (Shakespeare 77, 10-12). He goes on to say that snakes wind around him. "Sometimes am I All wound with adders, who with cloven tongues Do hiss me into madness" (Shakespeare 77, 12-14). So, Caliban is tormented by a variety of things, from apes to adders, and he feels this is punishment by Prospero's spirits who follow him to make him miserable. Not only do these torments make him fearful and distrustful, they also clearly indicate his "place" in society. He carries wood, and worries that he will be punished for "bringing wood in slowly" (Shakespeare 77, 16). It is clear he is used to being a servant, and used to being punished if he does not serve his master just so. He is used to torment, which is why he does not fight back against his tormentors, but instead simply hides beneath his cloak as a way to avoid detection and eventual punishment. His character is subservient and meek, and shows he has little hope for freedom, he just hopes his punishments will not be too strong, or last too long, as when he notes, "Perchance he will not mind me" (Shakespeare 77, 17). .

             Trinculo and Stephano think if the capture Caliban, the "monster," they can tame him and sell him to some rich Englishman. "If I can recover him and keep him tame, I will not take too much for him. He shall pay for him that hath him, and that soundly" (Shakespeare 81, 78-80). He does not understand at first how the monster understands Italian, "Where the devil should he learn our language?" (Shakespeare 81, 67-68), and he thinks he would make a fine present for an Emperor or leader.

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