The Tempest

In The Tempest, William Shakespeare creates the character Prospero to present the idea of England and its domination over the world. Prospero uses his knowledge in his advantage to enslave the natives of the island, mostly Caliban, and forcing the natives (Ariel and Caliban) to do as he says. One sees Prospero’s enslavement as the same as the imperialists when he inflicts “pinches” and “cramps” upon Caliban. Prospero also “menacle[s]’ [Ferdinands’] neck and feet together,” which helps develop Shakespeare’s negativity towards any sort of entrapment. Prospero also seems to bully Ariel, but it is proved without that they both are trying to gain something from one another. There are many takes on Shakespeare’s attitude towards imperialism, but it comes down to the fact that anyone trying to gain power will go to extremes to increase one’s domination, but if one’s heart is still soft, than a heroic realization and change will occur.

Caliban is the prime example of a native affected by imperialism. Originally “the island [was his] by Sycorax [his] mother,” but when Prospero showed up, he “[kept] from [Caliban]/ The rest o’ the island” (I, ii). Shakespeare chooses Caliban to be the ultimate example of the effects of imperialism because Caliban is deformed and seen as inferior. Prospero takes advantage of Caliban by gaining knowledge about the island, but soon discards of him because he is weak and uncivil. In Prospero’s eyes Caliban deserves to be a slave because he “didst seek to violate/the honor of [Prospero’s] chills” (I, ii). So, in the case of Prospero and Caliban, Shakespeare seems to justify the actions of imperialism as long as the slaves have done something that deserves punishment and enslavement. By using Caliban, the native is seen as bad, not the domination of Prospero.

As a counter argument, Ariel and Ferdinand create the possibility that imperialism it wrong and twisted, but yet somewhat fair- in Ariel’s case. Ferdinand comes across Prospero’s island and falls in love with Prospero’s daughter, Miranda. Prospero plans to use their love to get his dukedom back, so he punished Ferdinand with a “mean task” all to prove Ferdinand’s love for Miranda. By trying to prove their love as true, one might mistakenly think Prospero is kind and protecting his daughter, but the deceiving reason behind it is so Prospero can be duke again. Prospero’s doesn’t treat Ferdinand in the same manner as Caliban, however, because he is trying to reveal the true Ferdinand, but ultimately to gain him power.

Ariel works for Prospero and does as he says so that he will finally become free. Shakespeare utilizes Ariel’s character to reveal the mystery in imperialism- that is neither good nor evil- because both parties are involved and trying to gain. Ariel, being trapped in a tree for twelve years, is freed by Prospero. The freedom Ariel obtains is somewhat false because Prospero says he won’t