Well... I'm slow, but I'm back. Yes, about Prospero's speech as the archetypal Magician - the terribly dangerous arrogance, in such powerful words.
I don't think that Shakeseare's Caliban meant anything more than mercy - another chance. I myself want him to mean more, or to be given more -but that's what I think it means in the play. :(
Nor does Browning's Caliban seem to come any closer. (Yes, I did get to Browning eventually!) That depiction of Caliban is very sad - how damaged he is (by the exile? as dispossessed, he's in a sense an exile, too). He's in process of being consumed by fear and spite; there is no hint of grace from Setebos ("the many-handed") in there. ('grace' referring back to the Shakespeare quote). Nor from the Quiet - and Prospero's God (if he has one? I can't remember) doesn't get a look in.
I think the redemption/remaking story does need to be written! The remaking of the island, as you say, and of Caliban, both. (But surely someone has? I'll keep looking.) Thanks for prodding me to look atallthis!
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I don't think that Shakeseare's Caliban meant anything more than mercy - another chance. I myself want him to mean more, or to be given more -but that's what I think it means in the play. :(
Nor does Browning's Caliban seem to come any closer. (Yes, I did get to Browning eventually!) That depiction of Caliban is very sad - how damaged he is (by the exile? as dispossessed, he's in a sense an exile, too). He's in process of being consumed by fear and spite; there is no hint of grace from Setebos ("the many-handed") in there. ('grace' referring back to the Shakespeare quote). Nor from the Quiet - and Prospero's God (if he has one? I can't remember) doesn't get a look in.
I think the redemption/remaking story does need to be written! The remaking of the island, as you say, and of Caliban, both. (But surely someone has? I'll keep looking.) Thanks for prodding me to look atallthis!