The Tempest Caliban Quotes

Caliban

Quote 4

CALIBAN
I'll swear upon that bottle to be thy true
subject, or the liquor is not earthly. (2.2.129-130)

Caliban, thinking that Stefano must be a god, misjudges Stefano's power. As Caliban is stuck in Prospero's service, because he knows no one more powerful, Caliban sees Stefano as an advocate and something of a savior. This isn't Caliban being malicious; rather he is naïve and hopeful about freedom.

Caliban

Quote 5

CALIBAN
I'll show thee every fertile inch o' th' island, 
And I will kiss thy foot. I prithee, be my god. (2.2.154-155)

What compels Caliban to go from servitude to servitude? Why does he offer to be Stefano's slave, though Stefano does not ask it of him?

Caliban

Quote 6

CALIBAN [sings]
No more dams I'll make for fish,
    Nor fetch in firing
    At requiring,
Nor scrape trencher, nor wash dish .
    'Ban, 'ban, Ca-caliban
    Has a new master. Get a new man.
Freedom, high-day! High-day, freedom! Freedom,
high-day, freedom! (2.2.186-193)

Caliban has been a slave for so long that freedom to him is simply defined as being free from Prospero's tyranny.