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Difficulty: MediumTextual Analysis of Prescribed Non-African Drama

Read the following extract from William Shakespeare's prescribed Non-African drama, *The Tempest*, and answer the question that follows:

"Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."

What does this poetic speech primarily reveal about Caliban's character?

  1. His poetic sensitivity and innate appreciation of the island's natural enchantmentAnswer
  2. B
    His tragic flaw of hubris which ultimately leads to his downfall
  3. C
    His calculated attempt to employ dramatic irony to deceive Stephano and Trinculo
  4. D
    His delivery of a formal soliloquy intended to expose Prospero's cruelty directly to the audience

Answer

Caliban's speech reveals his poetic sensitivity and innate appreciation of the island's natural enchantment.
The correct answer highlights Caliban's poetic sensitivity and appreciation of the island's atmosphere. In Shakespeare's *The Tempest*, Caliban's 'Be not afeard' monologue uses vivid lyricism to depict the magical, soothing sounds of the island, demonstrating a sensitive and complex inner life despite his harsh exterior.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the dramatic extract and context
The lines are spoken by Caliban in Act III, Scene II of Shakespeare's *The Tempest* to comfort Stephano and Trinculo when they are frightened by Ariel's mysterious music.
Understanding the context clarifies who is speaking and why.
2
Examine the language, tone, and imagery of the passage
Phrases like 'sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not' and 'a thousand twangling instruments' evoke a rich, sensory, and harmonious vision of the island.
Analyzing literary techniques reveals character traits and atmospheric quality.
3
Deduce the characterization aspect demonstrated in the excerpt
The delicate imagery shows a complex dimension of Caliban, proving he is not merely a brute monster but a character capable of intense poetic feeling and aesthetic appreciation.
Connecting thematic imagery to characterization answers the question directly.

Key Concept

Characterization and Textual Analysis in Shakespearean Drama
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Topics

Textual Analysis of Prescribed Non-African Drama

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