Shakespeare: “You taught me language, and my profit on’t, Is I know how to curse. The red plague rid you, For learning me your language” (1.2 366-68).
Cesaire: “In the first place, thats not true. You didn’t teach me a thing! Except to jabber in your own language so that I could understand your orders: chop the wood, wash the dishes, fish for food, plant vegetables, all because you’re too lazy to do it yourself. And as for your learning, did you ever impart any of that on me? No, you took care not to. All your science you keep for yourself alone, shut up in those big books” (313).
What I took from these passages was the fact that Shakespeare seemed to lay a skeleton that was left very blank and one dimensional. Cesaire’s passage struck me as the muscles and tendons that created a more in depth Caliban. Shakespeare’s brief sentence struck me as passive and defeated. A tame Caliban subjected to the whims of Prospero. Cesaire, in my opinion, tapped into the primal bestial nature of Caliban. There was edge and purpose in Caliban’s message. In comparison to Shakespeare, there was a passion and contained arrogance Caliban is willing to let his audience see. My prime example is the use of the word “jabber” and how it offers a subtle stab and the social standing Prospero holds himself in. Jabber implies that Prospero’s language is as primal and ignorant as the inhabitants of the island deem Caliban to be. In actuality, Caliban is aware of his perception in Cesaire’s version. Thus, he openly critiques Prospero and maybe even the perception of the audience watching the play. Cesaire’s Caliban reflects the image and passion Caliban is burdened with. However, underneath his primal appearance lies a sophisticated multi-layred being.