CALIBAN UPON SETEBOS :
ROBERT BROWNING
SUBTITLE : NATURAL THEOLOGY IN AN ISLAND
1864
SUMMARY :
Caliban upon Setebos’ is a dramatic monologue by
Robert Browning that explores the nature of God and the
relationship between humans and their deities.The poem
is a soliloquy by Caliban, a character from William
Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest,” and it delves into
Caliban’s thoughts and beliefs regarding the divine force
he calls Setebos.
The poem opens with Caliban describing his actions and
surroundings. He lives in a pit, observing the sea and
engaging in various sensory experiences. As he does so,
he reflects on the nature of Setebos, expressing his
thoughts about the deity.
Caliban thinks Setebos is a powerful and moody god who
created the world and everything in it. He believes
Setebos made the sun, stars, and animals, but might
have done it out of boredom or to amuse himself.
Caliban thinks Setebos enjoys watching creatures
struggle and suffer. He wonders if Setebos created the
world just to serve his own interests or to test loyalty.
Caliban is both scared and resentful of Setebos, but also
wants to understand him. As a storm approaches,
Caliban becomes fearful and wants to appease Setebos,
recognizing his power.
In essence, Caliban sees Setebos as a complex and
unpredictable deity who is capable of both creation and
cruelty.
THEMES :
Here are the themes of ‘Caliban upon Setebos’ by Robert
Browning in simple words:
*Nature of the Divine*
Caliban thinks about Setebos, a mysterious and
unpredictable god who created the world. Setebos might
act on a whim or be indifferent, making Caliban wonder
about the deity’s motives.
*Relationship between Creator and Created*
Caliban ponders the power dynamics between Setebos
and his creations. He thinks Setebos enjoys watching
creatures struggle and suffer, creating an imbalance in
their relationship. The created reflects the nature of the
creator.
*Human Response to the Divine*
Caliban feels both fear and reverence for Setebos,
showing a complex relationship between humans and
the divine. He wants to appease Setebos to avoid the
deity’s wrath.
*Nature of Existence and Creation*
Caliban questions the purpose of Setebos’ creations,
wondering if they serve the deity’s amusement or have a
deeper meaning. This theme explores the purpose of life
and existence, touching on the idea that suffering may be
inherent in Setebos’ design.
*Artistic Creation and Imagination*
Caliban’s imaginative musings about creating birds out of
clay highlight the human desire to shape and control
one’s environment. Creativity can be a source of
empowerment and agency for individuals.
These themes are interconnected, exploring the complex
relationships between the divine, the created, and
human existence, as well as the power of creativity and
imagination.
Here is a critical analysis of Caliban upon Setebos in
simple words ¹ ²:
- *Theological premise*: Caliban upon Setebos explores
the theological premise of the island where Caliban
serves as a humanoid slave to Prosper and his daughter
Miranda.
- *Power dynamics*: The poem is a dramatic monologue
where Caliban is pondering over his doubts regarding the
existence and nature of Setebos, the one who created
life.
- *Absurd world*: Caliban creates a theological hierarchy
from his understanding of his own nature and from
everything he perceives as power relations in the island
where he resides.
- *Existential crisis*: Caliban comes to conclude that
Setebos did not have any particular purpose behind his
creations rather he just did it for the sake of doing it.
- *Free-verse form*: The poem lacks a discernible rhyme
scheme, embracing a free-verse structure.
- *Philosophical layers*: The poem has philosophical
musings on divine power, creation, and the nature of
good and evil.
- *Interpretation variability*: The poem has an open-
ended nature, allowing diverse interpretations and
sparking thoughtful reflections.
In summary, the poem is a dramatic monologue by
Caliban, exploring the nature of Setebos, his creator, and
the world around him. It delves into themes of power
dynamics, existential crisis, and the absurdity of the
world, and is open to interpretation.
