What does the titular Setebos in Robert Browning’s “Caliban upon Setebos” refer to?​

Correct option is B

Explanation:
In Robert Browning's dramatic monologue “Caliban upon Setebos”, Setebos is depicted as the deity worshipped by Caliban. Caliban perceives Setebos as a cruel and capricious god who rules arbitrarily and mirrors Caliban’s understanding of authority and power. Browning explores Caliban’s theological musings, which reflect his primitive and instinctive interpretation of religion, nature, and existence.
Key Aspects of Setebos:
Represented as a distant, brutal god.
Reflects Caliban’s thoughts on the relationship between power and suffering.
Symbolizes a crude understanding of divine authority, drawn from The Tempest by Shakespeare.

Information Booster:
Robert Browning is known For: Dramatic monologues like My Last Duchess and Porphyria’s Lover.
Themes: Psychological depth, human emotions, and moral dilemmas.
Style: Utilizes first-person narratives to probe the thoughts and motivations of characters.
Context in The Tempest:
Caliban is a complex character created by Shakespeare, symbolizing colonial subjects or the ‘Other.’
His worship of Setebos mirrors the indigenous belief systems under colonial scrutiny.
Philosophical Undertone:
Browning uses Caliban’s simplistic theology to critique organized religion and human tendencies to anthropomorphize deities.

Additional Knowledge:
Sycorax: Caliban’s mother, a witch, is referenced in The Tempest but has no connection to Setebos.
Island: The unnamed island in The Tempest is where Caliban lives; it is not referred to as Setebos.
Monster: Caliban himself is often labeled as monstrous but does not fear Setebos as a specific monster.