Juxtaposition In The Tempest Essay

The juxtaposition of Caliban’s mental and physical state throughout the “Tempest” hints that this paradoxical statement may be true. The ambivalence of Caliban’s “brutal” and “sensitive” being comes predominantly, but not consistently, through the medium of his physical appearance and his diction respectively. This “sensitive” aspect of Caliban is amplified further when his character is analysed from the viewpoint of the modern era. These audiences are far more sympathetic to this “abhorred slave” than that of the Shakespearian era as a result of the extensive colonial expansion of the British Empire that took place during this time, concluding in audiences being far more hostile to any natives, which the character of Caliban is. It is Shakespeare’s

The “spirit “of Ariel “whose name could mean messenger between earth and the spirit world” as informed by Loreto Todd is a character who represents the wind and the beauty of nature. This obedient character who has “Told thee (Prospero) no lie” and has been an effective slave “without grudge or grumblings” is met warmly by the audience and Ariel’s popularity is amplified greatly through the music and signing that the character preforms, both of which were a rarity in the Shakespearian era and was something that greatly satisfied the audience. Conversely, the character of Caliban “who didst seek to violate the honour of my child.” is seen as a horribly barbaric act on the innocent Miranda. In addition to this his constant grunting, as seen when watching the production by Northern Stage & Improbable co-production as well as countless others, draws upon the very image many people of the audience have of a brutal creature. As depicted by the juxtaposition of both slaves Caliban’s brutality when compared to the character of Ariel is highlighted and emphasised due to Shakespeare’s use of this simple