The Tempest

Caliban from The Tempest as a tragic character

Why is he considered as a tragic character?

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Caliban fills all of the requirements to be considered a tragic hero. First of all, he is the half man/beast servant of Prospero. He is frightening, grotesque and monstrous. Caliban speaks in prose and loves his island~ his appearance belies his inner soul.

Secondly, we need to return to the fact that he exhibits characteristics that are both human and animalistic. The human part of him wants the island he loves, whereas the part of him that is animalistic wants nothing more than to take Miranda (physically).

Thus, we have a man (animal) who has no real reality because of his circumstances, and the conflicts he fights within himself make it impossible to change things.

Source(s)

The Tempest