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In Shakespeare’s play, "The Tempest," an underlying theme of barbarism versus civilization appears. Shakespeare creates characters that exemplify symbols of nature or nurture. The symbolism of the characters is derived from their actions. These actions show Shakespeare’s view of the uncivilized and the civilized, as well as help the reader develop his own opinion of each side.
In this whimsical play, Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, after being supplanted of his dukedom 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, symbolize the theme of nature versus nurture. Caliban is regarded as the representation of the wild; the side that is usually looked down upon. Although from his repulsive behavior, Caliban can be viewed as a detestable beast of nature, it can be reasonably inferred that Shakespeare’s intent was to make Caliban a sympathetic character.
During the first encounter, Caliban comes across very bestial and immoral. While approaching Caliban’s cave, Prospero derogatorily says, "…[he] never/Yields us kind answer," mean
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Caliban committed an illicit act that deserved punishment. He does not know the difference between right and wrong. With this understanding, Shakespeare inflicted a feeling of sympathy for those less fortunate. Caliban is a man of nature, but he should not be considered less honorable than someone from civilization. However, Caliban was enslaved because he raped Prospero’s daughter, Miranda. The island was left to him by his mother, Sycorax. Shakespeare also wanted the reader to attain an understanding for individuals who were raised in an uncivilized atmosphere. Also, Caliban displays an extreme anger toward Prospero. He has an intuitive understanding of the natural world that brings out a sensitivity higher than that of the civilized. /Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments…" showing that nature can be as eloquent as society. "…Thou strok’st me…I loved thee…" is part of a quote that illustrates Caliban’s relationship with Prospero before he was his slave. Prospero says, "A devil, a born devil, on whose nature/Nurture can never stick…" which explains why even though Prospero taught Caliban the ways of civilized life, he still acted upon his natural instincts.
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