The Tempest · Character
Caliban
The island's native son, taught language and then enslaved, Caliban curses his master and dreams of burning the books that hold him down.
major
Also known as Setebos, Caliban O Setebos, Caliban Ay, the beast Caliban, Caliban The dropsy, Caliban Lo, Caliban Yea, Caliban Within, Caliban Prithee
First appearance: the tempest
As a major figure in The Tempest, Caliban is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Curses Prospero and claims the island as his own, recounting how Prospero enslaved him after initially befriending him.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Caliban claims the island as his inheritance from his mother Sycorax and insists Prospero took it from him by sorcery, a grievance sharpened by his daily labor and Prospero's contempt. He is at once brutal and eloquent,…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Caliban sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Caliban in the tempestCharacter Web
10 connectionsA slice of how Caliban sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Friendship
- Rivalry
- Other
Character groups
- Shipwrecked nobles and islanders
- Protagonist
- Goddesses in the masque
+5 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
In this epilogue, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Prospero, having regained his dukedom and f…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Stephano
friendship · ambivalent
Caliban idolizes Stephano as a god and ally in his plot against Prospero, while Stephano… How this plays out →
- Ariel
rivalry · negative
- Stephano
friendship · ambivalent
Caliban idolizes Stephano as a god and ally in his plot against Prospero, while Stephano… How this plays out →
- Ariel
rivalry · negative
- Ariel
rivalry · negative
- Stephano
friendship · ambivalent
Caliban idolizes Stephano as a god and ally in his plot against Prospero, while Stephano… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Caliban in the tempestIn the story
Caliban appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Caliban unlock in the free preview.
See Caliban in the tempest