Exactly what the title says it is.
This is adapted from Monsters and Villains of the Movies and Literature by Gerrie McCall, Dragons: Fearsome Monsters from Myth and Fiction by Gerrie McCall, and Mythical Monsters by Chris McNab.
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ARMS: His strange, deformed arms resemble fins, but they are strong enough to carry firewood. BODY: Caliban is a grotesque mixture of fish and man, an his body emits the peculiar odor of fish, making him unpleasant to be near. HANDS: Caliban uses his long, dirty nails to dig for food on the beach and in the shallow waters surrounding the island. CLOTHING: His ripped clothes reflect his savage nature.
When Prospero and his daughter Miranda are stranded on an island, they discover Caliban, the son of a witch and a demon. Caliban is referred to as a mooncalf because of the moon's sinister effects on his development. He looks like a cross between a fish and a man. Prospero and Miranda teach Caliban to speak English. In return, Caliban teaches them how to survive on the island. Caliban cannot rise above his beastly nature, and he attacks Miranda. As punishment for behaving like a brute, Prospero makes Caliban his slave and treats his harshly. Resentful, Caliban tries to raise a rebellion against his master Prospero.
Caliban was the only inhabitant of his island before the shipwreck landed the others there. He feels that Prospero has cheated him of his island, and begins plotting to murder him. Caliban's plot involves bashing in Prospero's head as he sleeps and burning all his books. He encourages Stefano, a member of the crew of the shipwrecked vessel, to kill Prospero and take over the island, but the plan fails. Caliban once again swears allegiance to Prospero.
DID YOU KNOW? Prospero was in line to be the Duke of Milan, but his jealous brother set him and Miranda adrift to get rid of them. They are able to survive because a friend made sure that there were plenty of food, books, and supplies on board. The boat is also secretly reinforced to make it seaworthy. Prospero and Miranda drift until they come ashore on Caliban's Island.
These characters first appeared in William Shakepeare's play The Tempest. It was first performed in 1611 for England's King James I.
Forbidden Planet, a 1956 science fiction movie, is an adaptation of The Tempest set in the future on the planet Altair IV.
