Register to read the introduction…
The name Caliban itself is worthy of attention because it draws parallels to the word cannibal, implying barbaric, inhumane, and savage behavior. Shakespeare continues with this negative portrayal of Caliban through the physical depiction as given by Prospero: “A freckled whelp, hag-born -not honored with A human shape.” (24) This initial description of Caliban creates an image in the mind of the reader of an animal like creature that is inferior and unworthy. The dehumanization of Caliban is further propagated by the questioning of his morality which is brought into reference by his attempted rape of Miranda, Prospero’s daughter. Prospero initially served as a caring teacher until Caliban defied him: “I have used thee, Filth as thou art, with humane care, and lodged thee In mine own cell, till though didst seek to violate The honor of my child.” (26) Prospero is given the position of being a benevolent, superior ruler who attempts to teach Caliban the values and ways of humanity with the assistance of his daughter, but his attempted violation of Miranda is seen as his inherent beastly nature that is ruled only by desire and natural instinct instead of the values and morals held by the civilized. Miranda’s words prove to be essential in portraying Caliban as a subhuman creature being of
…show more content…
This inherent evil and inhumanity of Caliban is once again verified by Prospero later in the play when he says, “A devil, a born devil, on who nature Nurture can never stick” (71). Shakespeare plays on both the morality of the characters in terms of the evil that lurks within and the apparent physical depiction to dehumanize and differentiate the European selves and the non-white racial others. Similarly, The Tempest can be seen as a reflection of the European colonialism of the New World which was taking place during the time in which Shakespeare wrote play. The uninhabited island that Prospero takes refuge on with his daughter Miranda is seen as a mirror of the New World, also known as the America’s, and the slaves of Prospero, mainly Caliban, is seen as a parallel to the Native Americans of the New World. Within this geographical and historical context, it is easy to analyze the dynamics of the relationships between Prospero, viewed as the colonizer and kind ruler, and Caliban seen as the savage, oppressed slave. Prospero is a Duke from Europe who assumes power of the island by forcing its inhabitants into servitude, similar to the way in which Europeans colonized the New World, maintaining control over the Native Americans and exploiting them as a means to cultivate the land. “We cannot miss him. He does make our fire, Fetch in our wood,
This inherent evil and inhumanity of Caliban is once again verified by Prospero later in the play when he says, “A devil, a born devil, on who nature Nurture can never stick” (71). Shakespeare plays on both the morality of the characters in terms of the evil that lurks within and the apparent physical depiction to dehumanize and differentiate the European selves and the non-white racial others. Similarly, The Tempest can be seen as a reflection of the European colonialism of the New World which was taking place during the time in which Shakespeare wrote play. The uninhabited island that Prospero takes refuge on with his daughter Miranda is seen as a mirror of the New World, also known as the America’s, and the slaves of Prospero, mainly Caliban, is seen as a parallel to the Native Americans of the New World. Within this geographical and historical context, it is easy to analyze the dynamics of the relationships between Prospero, viewed as the colonizer and kind ruler, and Caliban seen as the savage, oppressed slave. Prospero is a Duke from Europe who assumes power of the island by forcing its inhabitants into servitude, similar to the way in which Europeans colonized the New World, maintaining control over the Native Americans and exploiting them as a means to cultivate the land. “We cannot miss him. He does make our fire, Fetch in our wood,