CALIBAN
You taught me language; and my profit on't
Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you
For learning me your language!
A student argues that Caliban's choice of the word profit is meant ironically.
What argument would best support this statement?

The main evidence that Caliban uses the word profit ironically is the fact that he says the only profit he had of learning his master's language was the fact he actually learned how to curse. Therefore, the word profit is used ironically because he didn't learn anything else besides cursing, which cannot serve him a lot, as it is not considered as an important part of the language.

Explanation:

In Shakespeare's play The Tempest, Caliban says to his master, Prospero, that he didn't manage to learn him anything besides cursing. Prospero claims he gave his best to educate Caliban, but Caliban showed how ungrateful he is when he attacked Miranda. Prospero and Miranda consider that Caliban can't be good and that he can do only evil things, and no matter how hard they are trying to educate him, he will always remain an animal with bad blood.

Caliban answers ironically that the only thing he learned from them was how to curse, saying that all their efforts were basically useless.

ye

explanation: