Natural Theology of the Island “Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself.”(David, Psalms 50.21) [‘Will sprawl, now that the heat of day is best,Flat on his belly in the pit’s much mire,With elbows wide, fists clenched to prop his chin.And, while he kicks both feet in the cool slush,And feels aboutContinue reading “Caliban Upon Setebos”
Author Archives: jomaris99
Book Cover with Caliban
From novel Miranda and Caliban by Jacqueline Carey Book Description We all know the tale of Prospero’s quest for revenge, but what of Miranda? Or Caliban, the so-called savage Prospero chained to his will? In this incredible retelling of the fantastical tale, Jacqueline Carey shows readers the other side of the coin―the dutiful and tenderheartedContinue reading “Book Cover with Caliban”
Caliban in The Tempest (2010)
The Tempest (2010) directed by Julie Taymor Djimon Hounsou plays Caliban in this film adaptation of The Tempest. I chose this performance clip because nothing is said here, yet Hounsou’s Caliban manages to convey the human sensitivity with monstrousness that Shakespeare’s Caliban calls for us to examine. Caliban’s appearance in this clip is clearly humanContinue reading “Caliban in The Tempest (2010)”
Sketch of Herbert Beerbohm Tree as Caliban
By Charles A Buchel (1904) This sketch of Caliban, inspired by actor Herbert Beerbohm Tree’s Caliban costume, is utterly beautiful. I believe it delicately captures the contrast of Caliban: the monstrosity of him that leads other to remark on his appearance and demeanor, with the human intelligence and sensitivity that causes him to break outContinue reading “Sketch of Herbert Beerbohm Tree as Caliban”
Etching of Caliban
Etched and published by John Hamilton Mortimer (May 20, 1775) “Do not torment me pritheeI’ll bring my wood home faster.”(The Tempest, act 2, scene 2) This is a beautiful image of Caliban that poignantly relays a message rather similar to the one that Buchel’s Caliban raises. Similarly to Buchel’s Calban, Mortimer’s Caliban looks less than human.Continue reading “Etching of Caliban”
Caliban Dancing in Prospero’s Books
Film Prospero’s Books (1991) directed by Peter Greenaway Michael Clark plays Caliban in this film version of The Tempest. Caliban in this film is a highly interesting figure, full of the sharp contrasts that Shakespeare’s Caliban conveys. Physically, Clark’s Caliban is nude with a mixmatch of reddish shades on his skin. His body is almostContinue reading “Caliban Dancing in Prospero’s Books”
Caliban in a Tempest
Adapted from Une Tempête (1969) by Aimé Césaire Caliban: Call me X. That would be best. Like a man without a name, or to be more precise, a man whose name has been stolen. You talk about history well, that’s history, and everyone knows it! Every time you call me it reminds me of aContinue reading “Caliban in a Tempest”
Caliban in a Novel
Prospero’s Daughter by Elizabeth Nunez “To walk silently in the forest, and not shake a leaf, to move and not disturb a branch. At twilight let me walk— to the drum of impending rest, caught between sleeping and waking— when rocks turn malleable in the growing night, softening to the touch of deepening shade” (Nunez,Continue reading “Caliban in a Novel”
Crania Americana
From Safiya Sinclair’s Cannibal The Caucasian skull is large and oval, with well-proportioned features. Thenasal bones are arched, the chin full, the teeth vertical. This race is distinguishedfor the facility with which it attains the highest intellectual endowments. Lusus Naturae noun (rare) A freak ofContinue reading “Crania Americana”
An Introduction
This blog performs an investigation of Caliban, a main character from Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Caliban is a man of many contradictions. In Act 1 scene 2, he is introduced to as a “poisonous slave”, of a “vile race” and as “hagseed.” Other characters also remark on his appearance and demeanor, describing it as monstrous, yetContinue reading “An Introduction”
Poetry of Caliban 