Caliban is the core of the play he is the natural man against whom the cultivated
Since the writing of ‘The Tempest’, there have been a number of different interpretations of the character Caliban, and speculation as to exactly what his role in the play is. Commonly referred to as ‘The Noble Savage’; some see Caliban as an innocent victim, undeservedly subjugated by Prospero. Others believe he is an example of Neanderthal man and represents all the primal urges civilised society has taught us to repress. The text is ambiguous and inconclusive as to how to regard Caliban, but there is sufficient evidence to justify both perspectives. One role of Caliban is purely as a vehicle on which to convey comedy in the comic sub-plot involving himself, Stephano and Trinculo trying to overthrow Prospero and take over the island. We would see this as a negative perception and demonstrably, Caliban would be an ignorant villain. This is an interpretation of Caliban at its most superficial and basic level. However if we take the stance that Caliban is a victim in the play, we could say that effectively Caliban has had his island and home taken away from him by strangers because they are ‘more educated’ than him.