In “The Tempest”, “Translations” and “Things Fall Apart”, the theme of patriarchy is explored in different settings; the colonisation of the Irish in “Translations”, an unnamed island in “The Tempest” and the Igbo tribe in “Things Fall Apart”.
Prospero is a familial patriarch, shown through his dominant control of Miranda, such as ‘the very minute bids thee ope thine ear. Obey and be attentive’ . Hugh’s control of Manus is familial, as is Okonkwo’s control of his wives and children. Prospero’s control of Caliban and Hugh’s control of the school is societal. Aristotle says that Humanity is divided...those who have the right to command and those who are born to obey , an aspect of clear importance in these texts. The Elizabethan audience had been thoroughly conditioned to accept the doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings. The philosophical theory of the Divine Right of Kings, considered a King to be a representation of God, appointed by God and above the law, only subject to God’s will, thus anyone below the King, is subject to his command. Prospero is presented as the coloniser, coming under threat with the arrival of the ship, whilst Okonkwo and Hugh are not. Inclusively, Prospero and Okonkwo represent the patriarchal period of the time and are perceived as successful societal patriarchs in the eyes of a Jacobean and post-colonial audience, whereas Hugh is not, as he doesn’t set his priorities correctly and realise at first, the implications of colonialism.
The way in which Prospero and Hugh dominate the other characters are similar. Prospero strongly adheres to the Great Chain of Being, which categorised a strict religious hierarchical order, which saw women below men and beasts below women. Prospero, as a societal patriarch,...
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• Reinares, Maria Laura Barberan, “Remapping and Renaming Ireland: A Postcolonial Look at the Problem of Language and Identity in Brian Friel’s Translations. “ (2007)
• This quote was readdressed in the seventeenth century by the Royalists Thomas Hobbles who in 1651 wrote, “Aristotle in his first book of Politiques affirms as a foundation of the whole politically science, that some men by nature are worthy to command, others only to serve.” (Hobbes, T. (1651) Philosophical Rudiments Concerning Government and Society, 1651[Rudiments], iii. 13, 46.)
• Strong-Leek, L, 2001. “Reading As A Woman: Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’ ‘Feminism Criticism”.
• Vaughan, Virginia Mason “Something Rich And Strange”: Caliban’s Theatrical Metamorphoses
• Vaughan, Alden T. - The Tempest (Arden Shakespeare Third) [Paperback], Virginia Mason Vaughan, 2011
The way in which both authoritarian figures dominate the lower classes are similar. They strongly adhere to the Great Chain of Beings, in which it categorised a strict religious hierarchical order, which saw women below men and beasts below women, thus in both cases men having complete dominance. Prospero exercises his control through Caliban, with his coarse use of language and his ability to make him complete domesticated duties, such as when Prospero tells Miranda that one of his tasks is to ‘fetch in the wood’. Hugh employs exactly the same technique, by making Manus complete domesticated duties, such as ‘get him food – get him a drink’. Both dominant figures subjugate others, in order to increase their social stand...
This is presented through the emotive language of Miranda “I have suffered with those that are suffering”, through the empathy that is displayed by Miranda the violent action of Prospero on the ship that carries Antonio and the royals are demonstrated. Through this violent action Prospero demonstrates his desire to get revenge on all the people that have harmed him and his daughter. However, Prospero also commands Ariel to protect the people on board, coupled with this, the metaphor “The government I cast upon my brother and to my state grew stranger” shows that he is on the path to self-enlightenment due to his acknowledgement of his own downfall. Prospero through the order to protect the people and the use of the personal pronoun in the metaphor displays that he has identified his own role in his downfall. By accepting his role he is able to start to forgive Antonio and progress on the path to enlightenment. However, he is presented to not have reached complete self-enlightenment through his vengeful treatment of Caliban seen through the metaphor “A devil, a born devil on whose nature, nurture can never stick”. Through this metaphor, he illustrates that he
In the comedic, yet thrilling play, The Tempest, William Shakespeare uses characters such as Caliban, Alonso, and Ariel to show Prospero’s immense cruelness and pure monstrosity. Moreover, these Shakespearean characters are also used to highlight Prospero’s change in character into a kinder and more forgiving person. Prospero starts the play out as a vengeful monster, after an illuminating moment however, his persona transforms into his true identity of a compassionate man.
According to Smith, sexual violence “is not simply a tool of patriarchy, but also a tool of colonialism and racism” (Smith 2005, 8). As a result, women are being forced to suffer abuse, which damages their identity. Because of colonialism, Native women often find themselves forced into silence around sexual and domestic violence in their communities. By staying silent about sexual and domestic violence, Native communities are “able to maintain a united front against racism” (Smith 2005, 1). Accordingly, Native women are constantly being marginalized in patriarchal discourses regarding racism, colonialism, and white supremacy discourses. Historically, it is mentioned that sexism is the inability of both patriarchy and white supremacy discourses,
In Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the focus throughout the story is on the “human law” as Prospero is seen as a manipulator. Near the beginning of the play, Prospero enslaves Caliban, and he obeys Prospero all the time when Prospero orders him to do so. After Prospero gives instructions what to do, Caliban says in an aside that, “[He] must obey. [Prospero’s] art is of such power/ It would control [his] dam’s god, Setebos, / And make a vassal of [Setebos]” (Shakespeare I.ii.448-450). When Prospero threatens Caliban that he, “would control [Caliban’s] dam’s god, Setebos” (Shakespeare I.ii.449), making Prospero more powerful than the gods. Prospero’s actions prove that he is the top of the Great Chain of Being. Thus, Shakespeare use of indirect characterization demonstrates to the au...
In summary, Shakespeare’s The Tempest play explores the theme of opposition to the colonial-style authority of Prospero based on various characters’ covert and overt reactions to the master’s antics. For instance, Ariel opposes Prospero’s continuous detention of the former regardless of an earlier agreement to the contrary. Moreover, Caliban expresses his dissatisfaction with the forced labor that her does for Prospero. To prove his opposition to Prospero’s authority, Caliban plans the master’s death. Miranda also makes a statement that indicates her displeasure with the way Prospero executes his authority especially with regard to Ferdinand. The imprisoned Ferdinand also indicates his opposition to Prospero’s power through a disproving statement made before Miranda.
Within The Tempest by William Shakespeare, the relationship between servant and master often differ because of the servant’s vast differences. Ariel, the air spirit, is very subservient and depends on approval from Prospero. In contrast, Caliban, the slave from the earth, is aggressive and devising. Prospero tends to treat the two servants in a very different manner. Overall, the imbalance of power found in The Tempest between servant and master cause the relationships between Prospero and each servant to be extremely different resulting in different behavior from those in servitude.
Within his portrayal of Prospero, Shakespeare skilfully displays this character as the embodiment of all characteristics that defined the true colonisers; strength, power, and of course the intense control of all relationships and land he is invested in. Although these characteristics can be seen in all Prospero’s actions and interactions it is those with his subject, Caliban, which present them most clearly.
Ferdinand and Miranda’s type of relationship shows Shakespeare’s ideas about true love, recognising not just the emotional side of love, but the physical nature too. Miranda promises Ferdinand “The jewel in my dower” which is her virginity, a prized thing in Jacobean times. This knowledge would have been known by Shakespeare’s audience and knowing this helps us to understand Prospero’s protection of his daughter from Caliban.
During Shakespeare's time social classification was much more rigid than today and some members of society were considered superior to other members. Shakespeare provides an example of this rigid social structure through his play, The Tempest. Shakespeare illustrates how superior men differentiated themselves from lesser beings on the basis of race, financial status, and gender. Through the character of Prospero, Shakespeare provides and example of one, who had reason to feel superior, yet treated others equally and with the respect due to them.
Prospero enslaved the spirit Ariel or other-worldly figure of sorts. And in-turn Ariel causes a violent storm that causes the shipwreck in the opening scene, due to Prospero's request, thus bringing those back that caused Prospero to lose his dukedom. After which Ariel asked for his freedom having done his deed for Prospero, but Prospero denied his request, saying to Ariel time must be served first. Prospero continues with something of a guilt-instilling speech, reminding Ariel that he had freed him and Ariel becomes submissive once again saying, “all hail, great master, grave sir, hail! I come to answer thy best pleasure; beat to fly, to Swim, to dive into the fire, to ride, on the curled of clouds”(1,2,189-190). This shows Ariel’s language is that of someone being oppressed imprisoned or enslaved and such is the relationship that of a slave and a master. Prospero does not only oppress Ariel but also enslaves Caliban the once ruler of the island simply because Prospero believed his new ideas were much better meaning slavery over freedom, which he did impose on Caliban by saying “Dull thing, I say so; he, that Caliban, Whom now I keep in my service.” (Act. I, Sc. II, Ln. 285-286). Furthermore Prospero makes it even clearer what he thinks of Caliban the native that had helped Prospero to survive on the Island has
Prospero is a god. He mirrors the "Bible's personification of a God who commands the elements and the angels, who teases his offspring mercilessly, and who fabricated nature and people out of words"(2 Marx). Both gods rely heavily upon the use of words to maintain their kingdom. Caliban sees Prospero's power hailing from the magic books. The reader learns this as Caliban is speaking to Stephano about usurping Prospero's place on the island:
In William Shakespeare's The Tempest, Prospero lives with his daughter Miranda on a deserted island. On the surface, he appears to be a benevolent leader doing his best to protect and care for the inhabitants of the island, especially for Miranda. On closer inspection, however, Prospero plays God, controlling and creating each individual to fit the mold he desires. He takes advantage of his authority over the people and situations he encounters while wearing a facade of integrity and compassion to disguise his wily intentions and to retain love and respect.
Having been usurped and wrecked on an Island Prospero and his young daughter Miranda have to settle. It is here in Prospero's past that it first clear to see where any confusion about his character may appear. As a learned and powerful man Prospero is able to take direct control of the island, he frees a trapped and tortured spirit (Ariel) and befriends the inhabitants (Caliban). Prospero 'helps' Caliban, he tries to educate him and teaches him to communicate, in exchange Caliban helps Prospero to survive on the Island. But in taking power of the Island Prospero is committing the same act that happened to him as Duke of Milan, now Prospero himself has become the usurper. In this act of goodness Prospero has unknowingly shown his evil side.
Prospero treats his two servants in very different ways as their behavior and attitudes towards him are contrasting. From this, the question arises why he treats his equally hard-working servants in different ways and if he is wise in his actions.