The Tempest Nature vs Nuture

The Tempest

Nature vs. Nurture

​How can nature differ from nurture in a person? The Tempest by William Shakespeare is a romance as well as a comedy. The play begins with a ship traveling through the midst of a ferocious storm. On the boat is the king of Naples, Alonso, as well as: Antonio, Ferdinand, Stephano, Trinculo, Gonzalo, and Sebastian. While they are traveling, Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, are on the island with Ariel, Prospero’s spirit servant that assists him. Also on the island is Caliban, Prospero’s slave who is commonly referred to as a monster, devil, savage, and other harsh titles. Shakespeare illustrates his characters in a very complex manner, which in turn has stirred a controversy as to whether Caliban is a product of nature or nurture. Caliban’s actions, surroundings, and mindset lead me to believe that he is in truth a product of nature.

First, Caliban’s actions have affected the belief that he is a product of nature. When Prospero came to the island, after his brother took his rightful position as Duke of Milan, with his daughter, Miranda, he met Caliban. At the time Caliban did not know how to speak nor write. Prospero and Miranda then began to teach him how to write correctly and speak with proper words, in return Caliban teaches Prospero how to survive on the island. While teaching Caliban Miranda says, “I pitied thee, Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour, One thing or other,” Caliban later intends to rape Miranda in order to “people” the island. This enrages Prospero with anger which leads him to make Caliban his slave. Prospero punished Caliban not only by making him his slave but with horrendous stomach cramps at night as well. Caliban uses the language Prospero and Miranda taught him to curse at Prospero while carrying out his orders. This causes Caliban to feel a strong rancor towards Prospero. It changes Caliban’s outlook on his life and what he is meant to be doing.

​Second, Caliban’s surroundings and...