Sycorax
Sign in to saveSycorax is an unseen character in William Shakespeare's play The Tempest (1611). She is a vicious and powerful witch and the mother of Caliban, one of the few native inhabitants of the island on which Prospero, the hero of the play, is stranded.
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- Sycorax (Bell).jpg
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16 sectionsContents
- Role in the play
- Sources
- Analysis
- Silent Sycorax
- Sycorax and Prospero
- Sycorax as mother
- Ethnicity
- Avoiding execution
- Sycorax in later versions of the play
- Sycorax in later literature
- Other uses of Sycorax
- Sycorax in music
- Sycorax in astronomy
- Sycorax in Science Fiction
- Sycorax in Theatre
- References
Sycorax is an unseen character in William Shakespeare's play The Tempest (1611). She is a vicious and powerful witch and the mother of Caliban, one of the few native inhabitants of the island on which Prospero, the hero of the play, is stranded.
According to the history provided by the play, Sycorax, while pregnant with Caliban, was banished from her home in Algiers to the island on which the play takes place. Memories of Sycorax, who dies several years before the main action of the play begins, define several of the relationships in the play. Relying on his filial connection to Sycorax, Caliban claims ownership of the island. Prospero constantly reminds Ariel of Sycorax's cruel treatment to maintain the sprite's service.