Dear Shakespeare

Essay by kookB-, January 1996

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To Mr. William Shakespeare,

I am going to get right down to business. I am writing to you regarding our recent collaboration on The Tempest. In my opinion I think we need to make a couple of changes. The first is in regards to Caliban and the second has to do with Prospero.

As I was reading the section of the play where Caliban takes Stephano as his master I began to think about how he should be wiser by now. As is Caliban begs a drunken Stephano to be his master. In my opinion Caliban should show development by not drinking and possibly taking advantage of the drunk Stephano and Trinculo. It should develop in this fashion:

Caliban: I believe that I can assist you in your stay on the island.

Stephano: What mean you beast?

Caliban: I prithee, let me bring thee where crabs grow,

And I with my long nails will dig thee pignuts,

Show thee a jay's nest, and instruct thee how

To snare the nimble marmoset.

I'll bring thee

To clustering filberts, and I'll teach thee to get

Young scamels from the rock. Does't though attend me?

Stephano: I do. For all this service what want'st you in return.

Caliban: I ask but one simple service. The death of my tyrant master.

Stephano: You ask me to murder for you?

Caliban: I ask only that you remove your only opponent in making me your vassal.

Stephano: Well bargain'd for a monster such as thee. I shall consider it.

If the scene is run in this way Caliban is developed as more human and less monster. Also it adds more urgency to the possible danger Stephano and Trinculo bring, but the comic aspect remains because the two are drunk.

My second...