# Scene II explained — The Tempest

> Chapter companion for The Tempest by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Caliban curses Prospero while carrying wood, then encounters Trinculo and Stephano. After sharing wine, Caliban pledges allegiance to Stephano, seeing him as a god, and plots to abandon Prospero.

## Themes in this chapter

### Colonization and Servitude

Caliban shifts his servitude from Prospero to Stephano, offering to show him the island's resources in exchange for freedom and worship.

### Freedom and Imprisonment

Caliban's drunken song celebrates 'Freedom, hey-day!' as he seeks liberation from Prospero's control.

### Magic and Illusion

Caliban mistakes Stephano's wine for 'celestial liquor' and Stephano for a god, highlighting the theme of illusion.

## Character check-ins

### Caliban

Curses Prospero and complains of torment; meets Trinculo and Stephano; swears allegiance to Stephano after tasting wine.

### Trinculo

Takes shelter under Caliban's gaberdine; reunites with Stephano; mocks Caliban's gullibility.

### Stephano

Sings drunkenly; shares his wine with Caliban; accepts Caliban's worship and plans to inherit the island.

### Prospero

Referenced by Caliban as the tyrant who torments him through spirits.

## Key lines

> All the infections that the sun sucks up From bogs, fens, flats, on Prosper fall and make him By inch-meal a disease!

May all the diseases bred by the sun from swamps and marshes fall on Prospero and slowly kill him.

_Caliban curses Prospero, wishing him a slow, painful death._

> Misery acquaints a man with strange bed-fellows.

Being in trouble makes you share company with unlikely people.

_Trinculo decides to hide under Caliban's cloak despite his repulsion._

> I'll show thee every fertile inch o' th' island; And I will kiss thy foot: I prithee, be my god.

I will show you all the productive parts of the island and worship you; please be my god.

_Caliban offers his allegiance to Stephano, promising to reveal the island's resources._

> Freedom, hey-day! hey-day, freedom! freedom, hey-day, freedom!

Freedom, hurray! Hurray, freedom!

_Caliban joyfully sings about his newfound freedom from Prospero._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tempest_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tempest_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tempest_se/chapters