# Trinculo — The Tempest character guide

> Trinculo in The Tempest by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Trinculo Stephano, very Trinculo, Trinculo Monster

**First appearance:** 0000-the-tempest

## Snapshot

A quick-tongued jester who survives the shipwreck, teams up with the drunken Stephano, and treats Caliban as a sideshow curiosity.

## Who they are

Trinculo is the court's fool, washed ashore alone and delighted to find a monster he can exhibit for profit back in England. He falls in with Stephano's makeshift kingdom, flattering him as 'O king Stephano' while pocketing whatever finery the plot turns up, and his mockery of Caliban exposes the casual cruelty beneath the comedy. His wit keeps the rebellion scenes buoyant, but it also shows how easily cleverness becomes another form of exploitation.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Takes shelter under Caliban's gaberdine; reunites with Stephano; mocks Caliban's gullibility.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Jester who mocks Caliban and Stephano, but is beaten by Stephano for allegedly lying; follows the plot reluctantly.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/trinculo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters