I think Sycorax's exile gave/would have given Caliban a rotten life, even if Prospero hadn't arrived.
At least according to Caliban's nostalgia, Sycorax raised him to adapt to the island's environment and he was happy alone until Prospero turned up. Caliban claims that he had plenty of survival skills and taught Prospero how to find fresh water and places where edible plants grow, while what Prospero gave him was 'water with berries in it' (wine I guess) and language.
This island's mine, by Sycorax my mother, Which thou takest from me. When thou camest first, Thou strokedst me and madest much of me, wouldst give me Water with berries in't, and teach me how To name the bigger light, and how the less, That burn by day and night: and then I loved thee And show'd thee all the qualities o' the isle, The fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place and fertile: Cursed be I that did so! All the charms Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you! For I am all the subjects that you have, Which first was mine own king: and here you sty me In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me The rest o' the island.
I don't think Caliban would have been happier to be born and raised in an Algiers prison, or in whatever street address that Shakesperean witches normally lived in. He fits into the island environment, due to a combination of his nature and nurture (which is to say his fairytale-style nature and nurture). At the end of the story, he's the only character who can have a happy ending by staying there.
no subject
At least according to Caliban's nostalgia, Sycorax raised him to adapt to the island's environment and he was happy alone until Prospero turned up. Caliban claims that he had plenty of survival skills and taught Prospero how to find fresh water and places where edible plants grow, while what Prospero gave him was 'water with berries in it' (wine I guess) and language.
This island's mine, by Sycorax my mother,
Which thou takest from me. When thou camest first,
Thou strokedst me and madest much of me, wouldst give me
Water with berries in't, and teach me how
To name the bigger light, and how the less,
That burn by day and night: and then I loved thee
And show'd thee all the qualities o' the isle,
The fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place and fertile:
Cursed be I that did so! All the charms
Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you!
For I am all the subjects that you have,
Which first was mine own king: and here you sty me
In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me
The rest o' the island.
I don't think Caliban would have been happier to be born and raised in an Algiers prison, or in whatever street address that Shakesperean witches normally lived in. He fits into the island environment, due to a combination of his nature and nurture (which is to say his fairytale-style nature and nurture). At the end of the story, he's the only character who can have a happy ending by staying there.