Barnacle

28th March 2024

Photo Credit: Alexisaj (Getty Images), CANVA

QUOTATION

I will have none o’ it. We shall lose our time

and all be turned to barnacles or apes.

CALIBAN: The Tempest, Act 4, Scene 1

BARNACLES (Common Rock Barnacle: Semibalanus balanoides)

Caliban fears that Prospero will use his magical powers to transform him and the others into Barnacles or Apes. In this case Barnacles could refer to either the marine invertebrates or to the Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis), which was supposed to grow from Barnacles in folklore and early scientific writing.

Barnacles the marine creatures include over 2000 species. They live in marine or tidal areas and can grow on rocks, ship hulls and also embedded in marine animals such as whales. Barnacles have a fascinating diversity of forms and life cycles.

More Information

Folger Shakespeare: Search Shakespeare’s Work

MARLIN Marine Life Information Network: Common Rock Barnacle