This was interesting, indeed, and two characters I would not have thought to contrast.

That said, what would you say to the idea that while Calibans' evil is, to an extent, predestined due to his demonic paternity, whilst Gollums' comes from an external source -the Ring?

In that scenario, Caliban is less guilty because he has less choice. His nature is demonic, at least in part, and so he is driven by instinct more than choice. He is fallen by the fact of his birth , Original Sin+, as it were.

Smeagol, on the other hand, with no predisposition either way, actively chooses murder and theft. There is no indication that his upbringing was any different from Deagols'. His unpopularity with his own folk came about as the result of the influence of the Ring -which had the greater power over him because of the way he had acquired it.

Just a thought. Though my thinking on this has been informed by at least two other texts: The 'Devil May Cry' and 'Darksiders' game franchises.