One of the reasons for Caliban’s defiance towards Prospero is the fact that he believes the island that they are on to be his, but to have been stolen by Prospero. "This island’s mine by Sycorax my mother, / Which thou tak’st from me" (1.2.331). Caliban feels as though he has been taken advantage of. When Prospero first comes to the island, he is kind to Caliban, and in return, Caliban shows him the secrets of the island.

Thou strok’st me and made much of me; wouldst give me

Water with berries in’t, and teach me how

To name the bigger light and how the less,

Authority is defined as one who has acquired power over another. In this play, Prospero is the one who holds all the power. This power that he holds comes not from exceptional governing abilities or brute strength, but out of his supernatural powers. He is able to control Caliban and to force him to serve him by using his magical powers. Without his supernatural powers, he would have no power over Caliban. This authority that Prospero holds over Caliban is not through love, but instead through fear. Prospero threatens Caliban if he does not obey:

The fresh springs, brine pits, barren place and fertile"

Caliban is the first one to inhabit the island. When Prospero comes to the island he assumes possession of the island to be his. Along with the possession of the island he assumes control of whatever and whoever inhabits the island. This trend is also seen in the numerous accounts of European settlers voyaging to the New World and capturing the natives to use them as slaves. Antonio Vieira, a Jesuit father, condemned this and believed that it was God’s will for slaves to be free and anyone who takes away one’s freedom should go to hell. He quotes, "Any man who deprives others of their freedom and being able to restore that freedom does not do so is condemned" (from "Vieira’s Sermon Condemning Indian Slavery). Prospero robs Caliban of his island and of his freedom. He has the ability to restore Caliban’s freedom and island, yet he does not.

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