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This play was interesting in the usage of the supernatural. Although there is an abundance of supernatural and mystical actions going on throughout the play, the thing that struck me the most was the idea of the “Utopian society” that Professor Little brought up in lecture. Utopia come from the Greek, literally meaning, “no place,” proving that although Prospero left his land to go to the island and believed it to be perfect with no problems, there was already the idea of slavery when it comes to Caliban. Caliban although originally not in servitude to any character, he was a victim of slavery to the island itself. Like Prospero, Caliban’s mother was exiled from her home, Argier due to the practice of witchcraft, and there, on the island, Caliban was born, and by the right of his mother, the island was his. When Prospero arrives, Caliban gives up his duty to the island of which he was born, only to once again return to servitude under the watchful eye of Prospero. Caliban is constantly referred to by Prospero as a slave and is performing duties for Prospero throughout the play. This violates the idea of a “utopian” society, because the idea of perfection and equality no longer, if ever had, in existance. As stated in the meaning of the word from the Greek, there is “no place” that exists which is perfect, no matter how badly someone believes that it may be possible.

Why does Caliban feel the need to be in servitude to Prospero after he and his men arrive on the island and to what extent does witchcraft play, if at all, in this loyality?


Nichol Forbes
Ian Hoch
Section 1E