From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stephano (pron.: /ˈstɛfənoʊ/ stef-ə-noh) is a boisterous and often drunk butler of King Alonso in
William Shakespeare's play, The Tempest. He, Trinculo and Caliban plot against Prospero, the
ruler of the island on which the play is set and the former Duke of Milan in Shakespeare's fictional
universe.[1] In the play, he wants to take over the island and marry Prospero's daughter, Miranda.
Caliban believes Stephano to be a god because he gave him wine to drink which Caliban believes
healed him.[1]
William Shakespeare's play, The Tempest. He, Trinculo and Caliban plot against Prospero, the
ruler of the island on which the play is set and the former Duke of Milan in Shakespeare's fictional
universe.[1] In the play, he wants to take over the island and marry Prospero's daughter, Miranda.
Caliban believes Stephano to be a god because he gave him wine to drink which Caliban believes
healed him.[1]
Not boisterous and often drunk, Stephano is willing to be regarded as a Lord by Caliban, although Character Traits and Analysis
for much of the play Caliban appears to be in control, specifically Tmp/M/Scene/3.2 Tmp 3.2 M.[1]
Stephano is rather gullible. He believes, particularly in the aforementioned scene, everything Caliban
says. As shown in Tmp/M/Scene/4.1 Tmp 4.1 M, he is easily distracted.[1] (see 'The Plan' below). He
makes false promises to Trinculo and Caliban, but in his intoxicated state he usually believes the
promises himself.
Stephano is rather gullible. He believes, particularly in the aforementioned scene, everything Caliban
says. As shown in Tmp/M/Scene/4.1 Tmp 4.1 M, he is easily distracted.[1] (see 'The Plan' below). He
makes false promises to Trinculo and Caliban, but in his intoxicated state he usually believes the
promises himself.
The Plan
The plan Stephano, Trinculo and (mostly) Caliban formulate is to wait for Prospero to take his
afternoon sleep, then steal his magic books so he cannot fight back. He is weak without them. They
then plan to cut his 'wezand' (throat), drive a stake through his heart or beat him to death.
afternoon sleep, then steal his magic books so he cannot fight back. He is weak without them. They
then plan to cut his 'wezand' (throat), drive a stake through his heart or beat him to death.
Stephano is then to marry Miranda and become king of the island, and he promises to appoint Trinculo
and Caliban as Viceroys[1] Their plan is foiled, and their vanity exposed, when flashy clothes are left out
as a trap by Prospero's loyal servant Ariel. The usurpers, except Caliban, who urges them to continue
with the plan, are distracted by the clothes.[1] This means Prospero can chase them away with a pack
of magic spirit-dogs.[1]
and Caliban as Viceroys[1] Their plan is foiled, and their vanity exposed, when flashy clothes are left out
as a trap by Prospero's loyal servant Ariel. The usurpers, except Caliban, who urges them to continue
with the plan, are distracted by the clothes.[1] This means Prospero can chase them away with a pack
of magic spirit-dogs.[1]
Fellow Plotters
He plots against Prospero with Caliban and Trinculo.
He is already friends with Trinculo, Alonso's Jester, who he probably met at the palace. In the play,
Trinculo finds Caliban hiding under a cloak and thinks he had been struck by lightning.[1] Hearing a
storm in the distance, he hides with him.[1] At this point, an intoxicated Stephano walks past and thinks
Trinculo and Caliban are a four-legged monster. He gives them wine and then he and Trinculo
recognise each other.[1]
Trinculo finds Caliban hiding under a cloak and thinks he had been struck by lightning.[1] Hearing a
storm in the distance, he hides with him.[1] At this point, an intoxicated Stephano walks past and thinks
Trinculo and Caliban are a four-legged monster. He gives them wine and then he and Trinculo
recognise each other.[1]
Caliban believes the wine healed him and thinks Stephano a god. He calls him 'Lord' and possibly
exploits this to take control inTmp/M/Scene/3.2 Tmp 3.2 M.
exploits this to take control inTmp/M/Scene/3.2 Tmp 3.2 M.
A key theme of the play is power.[2] This is what Stephano wants, possibly because he is used to being
a servant.[2] Trinculo wants whatever is at hand, shown in his willingness to go along with the plan and
the fact that he is the first to approach the clothes inTmp/M/Scene/4.1 Tmp 4.1 M. Caliban does not want
power, but a kinder master. Prospero had treated him kindly until he attempted to rape Miranda, after
which he was forced to live in a rock.[1]
a servant.[2] Trinculo wants whatever is at hand, shown in his willingness to go along with the plan and
the fact that he is the first to approach the clothes inTmp/M/Scene/4.1 Tmp 4.1 M. Caliban does not want
power, but a kinder master. Prospero had treated him kindly until he attempted to rape Miranda, after
which he was forced to live in a rock.[1]
Quotes
The master, the swabber, the boatswain, and I,
The gunner, and his mate,
Lov'd Mall, Meg, and Marian, and Margery,
But none of us car'd for Kate;
For she had a tongue with a tang,
Would cry to a sailor Go hang!
She lov'd not the savour of tar nor of pitch,
Yet a tailor might scratch her where'er she did itch.
Then to sea, boys, and let her go hang!
This is a scurvy tune too; but here's my comfort. (Drinks)
Act 2: Scene II[1]
The gunner, and his mate,
Lov'd Mall, Meg, and Marian, and Margery,
But none of us car'd for Kate;
For she had a tongue with a tang,
Would cry to a sailor Go hang!
She lov'd not the savour of tar nor of pitch,
Yet a tailor might scratch her where'er she did itch.
Then to sea, boys, and let her go hang!
This is a scurvy tune too; but here's my comfort. (Drinks)
Act 2: Scene II[1]
Caliban: Hast thou not dropp'd from heaven?
Stephano: Out o' th' moon, I do assure thee; I was the Man i' th' Moon, when time was.
Caliban: I have seen thee in her, and I do adore thee. My mistress show'd me thee, and thy dog
and thy bush.
Act 2: Scene II[1]
Stephano: Out o' th' moon, I do assure thee; I was the Man i' th' Moon, when time was.
Caliban: I have seen thee in her, and I do adore thee. My mistress show'd me thee, and thy dog
and thy bush.
Act 2: Scene II[1]
Origins
It is not clear where the character of Stephano originated from.
There is one idea that he was modeled after Stephen Hopkins from London. Hopkins was aboard
the Sea Venture when it was shipwrecked on Bermuda. He attempted to start a mutiny while stranded
on the island. He eventually made it to Virginia and back to England, then went to Plymouth aboard
the Mayflower.
the Sea Venture when it was shipwrecked on Bermuda. He attempted to start a mutiny while stranded
on the island. He eventually made it to Virginia and back to England, then went to Plymouth aboard
the Mayflower.
Stephano may have been created, along with Trinculo, to add comedy and show human greed.
Shakespeare used Trinculo and Stephano primarily as comic relief but also to demonstrate the
evil in our nature. In a way, he seemed to have been condemning humans. The Tempest is a prime
example of the selfishness, egocentrism, and power hunger that we see and deal with every day.
Trinculo and Stephano were two characters used to show how wrong human beings are.[3]
evil in our nature. In a way, he seemed to have been condemning humans. The Tempest is a prime
example of the selfishness, egocentrism, and power hunger that we see and deal with every day.
Trinculo and Stephano were two characters used to show how wrong human beings are.[3]
Unlike Antonio, which was featured in no less than 4 plays, the name Stephano only appears in one
of Shakespeare's other plays, The Merchant of Venice.
of Shakespeare's other plays, The Merchant of Venice.
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