In Act II, Scene ii of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Caliban meets Stephano, a drunk servant carrying a bottle of alcohol. This scene is funny, but it also shows us something about life in Shakespeare’s time. Back then, European countries were exploring new lands and meeting local people, called “natives.” Colonizers (the explorers from Europe) thought these natives needed to be “civilized,” so they tried to sometimes saw them as saviors and even depended on them.

In this scene, when Caliban sees Stephano’s alcohol, he thinks it’s something magical, calling it “not earthly.” He believes Stephano has special powers and even promises to serve him as a “god.” Caliban doesn’t actually want real freedom – he just wants a new master who might be kinder than Prospero. Shakespeare is making a point here: in his desperation, Caliban quickly trusts someone he doesn’t know, just because they offer him something new.

Stephano, on the other hand, is amused by Caliban’s loyalty. He starts to feel important, even though he’s just a drunk servant. This scene is both funny and a bit sad. Through Caliban’s need for a master and Stephano’s pride, Shakespeare makes us think about the relationship betweem colonizers and natives. It also makes us think about how, when people feel helpless, they can easily depend on others.

So, what do you think? Is Caliban just being naive, or is there something deeer behind his need for a new master?

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