Question

3.1.6 discuss

Read the statement below and decide whether you agree or disagree with it. Be prepared to support your opinion with details from the reading. Here's your discussion prompt:

Caliban should be more appreciative that Prospero took him under his wing when he arrived on the island.

What do you think? Write a paragraph supporting your opinion and then write a reply paragraph. If you're working with others, your reply paragraph should respond to the ideas of another student. If you're working alone, your reply paragraph should support the opposite point of view from your own.

Answer 1

Caliban should not be more appreciative of Prospero because he took him under his wing when he arrived on the island.

Step-by-step explanation:

Prospero taught him how to speak and cared for him, and in return, Caliban showed Prospero his island. However, Prospero betrays him by imprisoning Caliban in a tiny cave and taking the island for himself. Prospero also abuses Caliban if he doesn’t do as he is told. “If thou neglect'st or dost unwillingly/What I command, I'll rack thee with old cramps/Fill all thy bones with aches, make thee roar/That beasts shall tremble at thy din." (Act I, Scene II). Although Prospero shows kindness by teaching Caliban his language, his abuse towards Caliban outways any positive notions. It becomes solid reasoning in support of the idea that Caliban should not be more appreciative of Prospero.

Answer 2

Appreciation would always be present regardless of the fact that Prospero’s treatment of Caliban changed. Because of Prospero’s initial kindness toward Caliban, an appreciation was there. Again, even if the treatment changed, that appreciation of initial kindness would never be changed to resentment. Further, even if it were possible for Caliban to be more appreciative, what would really have had to change were the actions, not the feelings (which is what appreciation is—a feeling). Perhaps if Caliban had done more to show his appreciation, Prospero’s treatment of Caliban would not have changed to harshness.