4.1.3
Scene 2
Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
Summary of Act 2, Scene 2
Caliban expresses his anger at Prospero. He then meets Trinculo and Stephano - they all get drunk and become friends.
Caliban gets angry and meets Trinculo
- A very angry Caliban opens scene 2. He recalls all of the 'torment' and torture he suffers at the hands of Prospero’s spirits.
- He quivers in fear under his cloak when he thinks he hears one of Prospero’s spirits approaching.
- Instead, the court jester, Trinculo, walks on stage. He sees a shape that makes him question: 'what have we here - a man or fish?'
Trinculo thinks about capturing Caliban
- Trinculo thinks he can take Caliban back to civilisation and make money out of charging people to see him.
- The native inhabitants of newly discovered places were often exploited back in England as a means to make money: 'they will lay out ten to see a dead Indian.'
- When it turns out that Caliban is in fact an islander, Trinculo shares the cloak to hide from the oncoming storm.
Stephano arrives - they get drunk
- The King’s butler, Stephano, then walks on stage and experiences the same ideas as Trinculo. He thinks he can charge people to see Caliban.
- Stephano pokes Caliban. This is supposed to amuse the audience. The three characters (Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban) then work out who the others are. They celebrate by introducing Caliban to alcohol.
- The three lower class characters then get drunk and provide a comedic scene for the audience. This contrasts with the seriousness of the previous scenes.
Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo join forces
- Caliban swears allegiance to these fools by promising 'I swear upon that bottle to be thy subject' and 'I'll kiss thy foot'.
- Caliban sees these men as a more desirable choice to Prospero, even though it is clear to the audience that they will probably treat him just as badly.
1Key Words
2Context & Overview
2.1Context & Overview
3Act 1
3.1Act 1 Analysis
4Act 2
4.1Act 2 Analysis
5Act 3
5.1Act 3 Analysis
6Act 4
6.1Act 4 Analysis
7Act 5
7.1Act 5 Analysis
8Key Characters
8.1Major Characters
8.2Minor Characters
9Themes
10Authorial Method
10.1Authorial Method
11Recap: Main Quotes
11.1Characters Quotes
Jump to other topics
1Key Words
2Context & Overview
2.1Context & Overview
3Act 1
3.1Act 1 Analysis
4Act 2
4.1Act 2 Analysis
5Act 3
5.1Act 3 Analysis
6Act 4
6.1Act 4 Analysis
7Act 5
7.1Act 5 Analysis
8Key Characters
8.1Major Characters
8.2Minor Characters
9Themes
10Authorial Method
10.1Authorial Method
11Recap: Main Quotes
11.1Characters Quotes
Practice questions on Scene 2
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1What is Trinculo's job in court? Multiple choice
- 2Order the events of Act 2, Scene 2 Put in order
- 3What is Stepahno's job in court? Multiple choice
Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium
Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions
Mini-mock exams based on your study history
Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books