"Caliban is a villian"

"Caliban is a villian"

1. Attempted rape of Miranda ( " thou doest seek to violate the honour of mine own child" )for his own selfish gain to "people this isle with Calibans"

   • Power hungry - believes the island belongs to him and wants to steal it back

2. Miranda describes him as a "villain" before the audience gets a chance to judge Caliban for themselves

   • The audience is left questioning why such a young innocent girl does not want to even look at him...
     • The audience is led to believe that he must have done something terrible and unforgivable for Prospero to treat him like such an animal

3. His opening speech makes him seem aggressive and rude when he curses Miranda and Prospero - "A southwest blow on ye And blister you all o'er"

   • Connotations of unhealthiness and infections

4. Immediately acuses Prospero - a character who we have learnt to trust and emphasis with - of being a thief "which thou take's from me"

   • Prospero teaches the audience that Caliban is a "lying slave"
     • We are now reluctant to trust this character

5. His authoritative tone and lack of respect for Prospero makes him come across as a villainous character

   • Uses grotesque imagery in his descriptions
     • Use of plosive sounds

6. Prospero taught him language but despite this gesture of good will and care, Caliban curses the "red plague" over Prospero