Shakespeare introduces the conflict between Caliban and Prospero as a struggle over power and ownership of the island. Each character presents a different story of the past, how Prospero came to rule the island, and these opposing stories shows that their relationship is based on power over the island instead of mutual respect.

Caliban claims that the island is rightfully his, as it was bestowed to him by his mother and that Prospero took it from him. He states, “This island’s mine, by Sycorax my mother, Which thou takest from me.” Caliban presents himself as the true ruler, that ruling the island is his birthright until Prospero betrayed him. Prospero, on the other hand, tell a different story, he states “Thou most lying slave, Whom stripes may move, not kindness! I have used thee, Filth as thou art, with human care…Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee, Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour.” Prospero claims to be a protector and mentor, which gives him moral authority over Caliban. He justifies his rule by claiming that Caliban is incapable of kindness as he was “vile” and “brutish.”

This early portrayal of their struggle for power and legitimacy on the island is based on competing claims, which makes it unstable. Caliban claims legitimacy through inheritance and ownership, while Prospero claims ownership through moral superiority and as Caliban’s “educator.”