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Caliban Upon Setebos
- Narrated by: Denis Daly
- Length: 22 mins
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Caliban Upon Setebos
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Summary
Caliban Upon Setebos (or Natural Theology in the Island) by Robert Browning. Narrated by Denis Daly.
Caliban is a major character in The Tempest by Shakespeare. He is a deformed monster, the offspring of Sycrorax, a witch. Prospero, a magician who presides over the island where Caliban dwells, has made him a servant. This galls Caliban's spirit, as he believes himself to be the rightful ruler of the island. Setebos is the deity who was worshipped by Sycorax and is mentioned by Caliban in two scenes.
In Act 1 Scene 2, Caliban ruefully compares the power of Prospero and Setebos. In Act 5 Scene 1, Caliban appeals to Setebos for help when driven into Prospero's cell in company with the traitorous drunks Trinculo and Stephano.
The meaning of this dramatic monologue has long been contested by critical scholars. One popular interpretation is that it is a bitter commentary on the inapplicability of theology in resolving political conflicts. Another is that barbaric people appeal to barbaric gods and more civilized people appeal to more elevated and more powerful deities.