The Western belief on colonization through the exploitation of the Africans or locals shows their belief on white supremacy and slaves. Amié Césaire’s “A Tempest,” exhibits the White man’s lack of acknowledging the developing tension between slaves and their masters. We are introduced Prospero, who is the white master of two slaves named Ariel and Caliban, portraying the white dominance over them. However, has the play progresses we see the development of Ariel and Caliban’s relationship with Prospero and how they derive their freedom. Additionally, Césaire’s translation provides a great emphasis on the way the characters interact with their master. In my paper, I will focus on why Caliban voiced his opinion towards Prospero, the relationship
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Prospero didn’t like Caliban. Caliban didn’t like Prospero. But what made this relationship different than the other was that both Caliban and Prospero would stop exchanging anger in every conversation. Prospero being the master, had to show his power and his higher class towards Caliban. However, as I discussed before Caliban had no respect for Prospero because he took his island away from his family and now he is a laborer. From being called an “ugly ape” to “savage,” it builds ups Caliban’s anger. Additionally, Prospero having the all the power he has the power end every conversation with himself benefiting. At the end of the first interact with Caliban, Prospero said: “I did not summon you here to argue. Out! Back to Work! Wood, water, and lots of both!” (Césaire 14). With this being said it shows no mater what Caliban says it will be him who will loose ever argument. The master-slave relation does not give any power or an upper hand to the slave. Because Caliban has everything taken away from him, he is really hard for Prospero to oppress. Even as Caliban attempts to achieve his freedom, Prospero mocks him and calls him out saying he will not follow through: “You don’t dare! See you’re nothing bit an animal… you don’t know how to kill” (Césaire 56). The significant aspect of this scene is it can be interrupted in two ways, depending on how you look at it it Prospero is being smarter or Caliban is sparing his master because he doesn’t want to be inhumane. Like all slaves, Caliban wanted his freedom, but wants to use force to reclaim his freedom, where as Ariel had a different
Prospero didn’t like Caliban. Caliban didn’t like Prospero. But what made this relationship different than the other was that both Caliban and Prospero would stop exchanging anger in every conversation. Prospero being the master, had to show his power and his higher class towards Caliban. However, as I discussed before Caliban had no respect for Prospero because he took his island away from his family and now he is a laborer. From being called an “ugly ape” to “savage,” it builds ups Caliban’s anger. Additionally, Prospero having the all the power he has the power end every conversation with himself benefiting. At the end of the first interact with Caliban, Prospero said: “I did not summon you here to argue. Out! Back to Work! Wood, water, and lots of both!” (Césaire 14). With this being said it shows no mater what Caliban says it will be him who will loose ever argument. The master-slave relation does not give any power or an upper hand to the slave. Because Caliban has everything taken away from him, he is really hard for Prospero to oppress. Even as Caliban attempts to achieve his freedom, Prospero mocks him and calls him out saying he will not follow through: “You don’t dare! See you’re nothing bit an animal… you don’t know how to kill” (Césaire 56). The significant aspect of this scene is it can be interrupted in two ways, depending on how you look at it it Prospero is being smarter or Caliban is sparing his master because he doesn’t want to be inhumane. Like all slaves, Caliban wanted his freedom, but wants to use force to reclaim his freedom, where as Ariel had a different