How Is Caliban Presented In The Tempest
In William Shakespeare's play The Tempest, the character of Caliban stands out as having the most valid claim that he has been most wronged by others. Through the portrayal of Caliban's enslavement and mistreatment at the hands of Prospero, as well as the suppression of his language and culture, the play highlights the injustices that can occur when individuals or groups wield power over others.
Caliban's enslavement is evident in his own words in Act I, Scene 2, where he describes how Prospero "made [him] his slave" and how he was "first found of [Prospero]." Caliban's physical and psychological harm is further portrayed in the way he is described as being "pinched and vexed" by Prospero, and in the way he is portrayed as being in a constant
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Prospero refers to Caliban as a "beast" and a "poisonous slave" who is "capable of all ill!" This dehumanizing language serves to further justify Prospero's actions towards Caliban and supports the notion that he is inferior and not deserving of basic human …show more content…
In Act I, Scene 2, Caliban describes how he showed Prospero "all the qualities o' th' isle" and taught him "how to name the bigger light and how the less." This knowledge is valuable to Prospero and serves to further justify his enslavement of Caliban, as it allows him to gain power and control over the island and its resources.
The themes of colonization and imperialism are central to The Tempest, and Caliban's experiences reflect the historical injustices and violence inflicted upon colonized peoples by European powers. Caliban's status as a native of the island further highlights the unjust nature of colonialism and the ways in which it can be used to justify the exploitation and oppression of indigenous peoples.
In contrast, other characters in the play, such as Ariel and Ferdinand, are not subjected to the same level of mistreatment and oppression as Caliban. Ariel is a spirit who is under Prospero's control but is not enslaved or physically harmed. Ferdinand is the son of the King of Naples and is initially shipwrecked on the island. While he is briefly made to do labor for Prospero, he is not enslaved and is eventually allowed to leave the island unharmed. While these characters face their own challenges, they do not experience the same level of systemic oppression and violence as
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457 Words | 2 PagesCaliban argues that weakness is man’s flaw and cowardice keeps man from making a list of such flaws (Cesaire 28). As Ariel attempts to impact Prospero’s conscience by obeying his orders, Caliban is quick to reject him with a lot of rage stating “We must change Prospero” (Cesaire 28). He adds that they must put an end to his serenity so that he will be obliged to acknowledge his personal injustice (Cesaire 28). Caliban insists that Ariel is a credulous person who believes in everything that Prospero has told him, he makes fake promises that he does not fulfill. Additionally, Caliban tells Ariel that he should no longer trust Ariel because he is close to Prospero and carries out his orders.
Comparing Two Themes In William Shakespeare's Frankenstein And The Tempest
723 Words | 3 PagesProspero constantly claims that Caliban is incapable of doing anything right and is only capable of committing malicious acts. In the text, Shakespeare states, “Which any print of goodness wilt not take, being capable of all ill.” This statement further emphasizes Prospero’s revulsion towards Caliban. They have both endured neglection and verbal abuse throughout their lifetimes, which has led them to commit wrongful acts of violence upon
Of Prospero's Magic, The Age Of Death In The Tempest
1444 Words | 6 PagesProspero’s Magic, the Age of Death and the 1610 Anthropocene When Prospero -- the hero in William Shakespeare’s last play The Tempest -- buries his magical books near a cliff of an uninhabited island, he sings out the first song of the “Anthropocene” at the edge of the great globe. As the Duke of Milan, he and his daughter are exiled to the isolated island for 12 years, during which process he uses his magic to enslave the natives on the island, including “ a savage and deformed slave” -- Caliban (Shakespeare 3). One may argue that the master-slave relationship shows Shakespeare’s postcolonial reflection while others may think that this viewpoint takes too far from Shakespeare’s original intention. Steve Mentz, in his essay “Enter Anthropocene, c.1610,” interprets The Tempest through lenses of the 1610
Similarities Between Caliban And Frederick Douglass
433 Words | 2 PagesLike English viewed Indians, Prospero viewed Caliban’s race as being “inferior” and savage, for he is a native and different from what he believes is civil. Prospero takes him under his control and teaches him the ways of what he thinks is civilized, teaching him language and chores, and eventually making him his slave. Like Douglass and slaves, he would be punished often by Prospero’s spirits for any offense such as a wrong response to just a small mistake or look. Caliban’s status/class went from being the “king” of the island that his mother left him to being a slave, just like the Indians were manipulated by the English while they plotted on how to take their land away. Caliban however can think for himself, yet others view him as inferior because of his race, thinking he has no intellect.
How Does Shakespeare Present The Power In The Tempest
995 Words | 4 PagesFurthermore, Caliban implements a strategic use of iambic pentameter in order to gain the respect and recognition of those in power. He understands that his speech is a way to demonstrate his own intelligence and capability, and to challenge the stereotypes and prejudices imposed upon him as a native inhabitant of the island. As he challenges the power structures that oppress him, his language becomes more assertive and empowered. For instance, Caliban challenges Prospero's authority and demands his freedom, saying "This island's mine, by Sycorax my mother, / Which thou tak'st from me. When thou cam'st first, /
Theme Of Vengeance In The Tempest
987 Words | 4 PagesIn addition to Caliban, Prospero's yearning for vengeance also creates internal issues for himself. After Ferdinand and Miranda announce their marriage, Prospero claims his "rejoicing / At nothing can be more," because he must "perform / Much business appertaining," (Shakespeare, 95-99). Usually, a father focuses more on his daughter getting married, however Prospero can only focus on his plans for vengeance. Some believe that the characters internal struggles were caused by the wrongdoers, and not a lack of forgiveness; however, at the end of the play, after Prospero becomes a more virtuous character, his conflicts with his brother and Caliban are resolved, clearly showing that their focus on vengeance is what caused the internal struggles.
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1220 Words | 5 PagesBoth characters are considered as rebellious savages that are controlled, Caliban by Prospero and John by the World State. The Tempest can be interpreted as a play about colonialism because when Prospero arrived at the island, he imposed his own rules and put Caliban under slavery, just as Europeans when they took possession of the lands of Americans and enslaved them. From this point of view, Prospero and the World State are very similar because they both use their power to control over people and to preserve their own stability (Prospero using his magic and the World State using soma).
Caliban And Ariel In Shakespeare's The Tempest
1036 Words | 5 PagesHe made Caliban his servant because he could not trust him, he had lost respect, and had no other choice. Even when Caliban was serving Prospero, he was still treated fairly. Prospero freed Ariel from being eternally stuck in a tree, and in return he asked that for a year, Ariel would serve him and help him get off of the island, and then he would be freed. Prospero did not take partial control of Caliban and Ariel without a reasonable purpose, where the Europeans had no real reason at all. Prospero’s valid reasoning, his open mindedness towards Caliban, and his willingness to set Ariel free are why I believe that the translation of the play that compares it to European colonialism is
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1180 Words | 5 Pages(1.2.191-193) reinforces Cesaire’s post-colonial perspective and his endorsement of negritude. Caliban finds himself continuously ill-treated; he has it the worst of all of Prospero’s slaves. The conditions of hard-labour that were subjected to black people by white supercilious people during colonization are mentioned by Cesaire were Prospero “forgives” Ferdinand and excuses him from his afore imposed state of slavery on the basis that they are of the same race and rank and the manual labour that was intended for Ferdinand is passed on to Caliban. Caliban is naïve and gullible, he trusts Stephano and Trinculo upon meeting them for the first time in spite of the ordeal he undergoes with Prospero. Caliban’s woes are echoed throughout the play and draws sympathy from the reader, whereas in “The Tempest” Shakespeare makes it difficult for the audience to consider Caliban as anything further then the perpetrator
The Tempest Forgiveness Essay
881 Words | 4 PagesProspero brands him "a born devil, on whose name/Nurture can never stick.” As Mannoni says, “Caliban does not complain of being exploited; he complains rather of being betrayed”. Even though Prospero understands that Caliban’s bad behaviour is like that of a child, he does not offer mercy and forgiveness as freely and earnestly as one should. Thus, it is through Prospero’s treatment of Caliban that Prospero’s desire for revenge is
The Tempest Movie Analysis
887 Words | 4 PagesTheir names are; Prospera (Helen Mirren): a sorceress and Miranda 's mother, Miranda (Felicity Jones): Prospera 's daughter who falls in love with Ferdinand, Ferdinand (Reeve Carney): king Alonso 's son, Antonio (Chris Cooper): Prospera 's brother, and stole her dukedom, Ariel (Ben Whishaw): a spirit who aids Prospera, and Caliban (Djimon Hounsou): Prospera 's slave, and who along Alonso’s servant to the plot The main plot of the film has quite followed the original plot of play. Prospera, who was deported to the island with her daughter due to the usurpation from Antonio and
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1555 Words | 7 PagesThe Tempest can often be seen as a play about colonialism primarily because Prospero came to the island that belonged to Sycorax, Caliban's mother. Prospero subdued her, ruled the land and placed himself as its new ruler. He had full control over everything on the island. Caliban actually loved Prospero at first and was fine with an autonomy but not slavery as he lamented: This island’s mine by Sycorax my mother, Which thou tak’st from me.
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2448 Words | 10 PagesUnlike Shakespeare’s other main characters, he is much more enigmatic. In they play Prospero is portrayed as the rogue who seeks revenge on his brother Antonio for his treachery. In this Shakespearean comedy it becomes clear that Prospero is the heart of power on the island. Evidently Prospero has been wronged by his brother’s usurping which he could not control and now uses his magic as a tool for controlling the events that occur on island throughout the play. The theme of power in this play is hugely significant as it clear that the violence interrogated in this play is in relation to power and the abuse of that power by the protagonist.
Power In The Tempest
1470 Words | 6 PagesAs the play begins, it seems as if the massive tempest is simply a random occurrence, catching the mariners and nobility by chance. However, as the act continues, Shakespeare reveals that the tempest was actually the work of Prospero and his ghostly servant Ariel, who stirred up the seas and set fire to the masts (1.2, 193-194). This establishes Prospero as the executor of a mess of ‘coincidences’ ranging from Ferdinand stumbling upon his daughter Miranda to King Alonso and his party walking directly into the former duke’s cell. Though Prospero may have the same control over the English language as the other characters, Caliban points to his specific source of power. He says, “… for without [his books] /
The Tempest Character Analysis
1123 Words | 5 PagesIn comparison, the inconsistency between diction depicts the power dynamics observed in the play. Shakespeare often uses Prospero’s servant, Ariel and slave, Caliban to portray the differences in the hierarchy of the play. As observed by the audience Prospero often uses threats and insults to communicate and assign task to Caliban, hence “...tonight thou shalt have cramps, side stitches that shall pen thy breath up. ”(I.ii.325-326) Prospero threatens Caliban with pain after his refusal to do work, because he feels as if the isle belongs to him due to the fact that it was inhabited by his mother first.
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