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The tempest art vs nature
The tempest use of language
The tempest use of language
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In most great literary works, there are characters who are described as, “evil.” This "evil" character may be evil for different reasons. In some stories, the character is evil because he or she has done something wrong or bad intentionally. In other stories, the character may be considered evil because he or she is not a "normal" human being, and therefore, he or she is automatically viewed by the reader, as well as the other characters in the book, as evil. In William Shakespeare 's story, The Tempest, the "evil" character is named, Caliban. Why Caliban is evil is the subject of debate among critics, and this paper.
One critic in particular, Stephen Greenblatt, who is considered an expert on the literary works of Shakespeare, believes
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The primary example is that; Caliban is from a faraway island. He was not raised with other human beings. He grew up alone. The character, Prospero, and his friends just happen to stumble across Caliban when they are shipwrecked on Caliban 's island. Knowing Caliban 's background and the fact that he was indigenous to a remote island is key to analyzing the evilness of his character.
Greenblatt argues that it is crucial “to have culture for in-depth reading” (Greenblatt 115.) In other words, it is important to have background knowledge of all characters so we are able to understand why they do things the way they do. In addition, he believes that if one analyzes literature, it may enhance our understanding because it demonstrates the relationship between literature and culture and culture “deepens pleasure” for the reader (Greenblatt 110.) Many of Greenblatt’s arguments are proven to be correct in The
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In one scene in particular, Caliban talks about the island: “I’ll show thee the best springs; I’ll pluck thee berries; I’ll fish for thee, and get thee wood enough” says Caliban, explaining to Trinculo and Stephano that he knows so much about the island because it is his home (2.2.155-156.) He tells them that he can show them the entire island and all that it has to offer. He is incredibly passionate about the island. He has a deep connection to it because it is where he was raised. He has feelings for it.
Prior to him explaining his feelings about the island, Trinculo was discriminating Caliban. He described his smell as “a very ancient and fishlike smell” (2.2.25.) Trinculo does not believe that Caliban is a “normal” human being. In other words, he is discriminating Caliban because he does not look or in this sense smell like a normal individual so, he automatically considers Caliban as a monster without getting to know
Even Miranda, Prospero’s daughter, speaks in a way that categorizes Caliban as an uneducated and uncivilized savage. “I pitied thee, Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour […] When thou didst not, savage, know thine own meaning […]” (1.2.356-359) Miranda doesn’t stop there; she continues labeling Caliban, “But thy vile race, though thou didst learn, had that in’t which good natures could not abide to be with; therefore wast though deservedly confined into this rock […]” (1.2.361-364). Exactly this kind of discourse turns Caliban into a subject. If Caliban had not been alone on the island, then Prospero and Miranda would have categorized a whole group of human beings rather than just one.
In literature as in life, characters are multi-dimensional beings. They possess a wide variety of character traits that make them who they are. In the Tempest written by William Shakespeare, Prospero traits resemble those of the Europeans that came during the exploration of the Americas. Thus, Prospero’s treatment of Caliban is similar to the way Europeans treated the Native Americans.
Vaughan, Alden T. & Virginia Mason. "Shakespeare's Caliban: A Cultural History." New York: University Press, 1991.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a recognized classic tragedy portraying the victory of good over evil. This paper will explore the various expressions of evil within the play.
The definition of ‘monstrosity’ and what it means to be ‘monstrous’ can be understood to mean something that is visually unattractive, malformed and/or terrifying. However, monstrosity is not exclusively about something aesthetically ugly, it can also apply to what differs from what is considered ‘normality’. What is ‘normal’ versus what is ‘monstrous’ is closely linked when exploring ideas about the human condition. The representations of monstrosity in Frankenstein and in The Tempest reveal how what is monstrous and what is normal are often found side by side, challenging the idea that it is limited to outcasts who do not ‘fit-in’, and that deep down, a desire to be understood, accepted and included and to live life with meaning are central to the human condition and that monsters in society often reveal our deep seated fears and anxieties about our own existence.
...ith humane care, and lodged their in mine own cell, till thou did’st seek to violate the honour of my child”(Act I, Scene II, 343-348). Prospero believed that Caliban had this coming to him, and should he had been a vengeful man could have killed him. From these examples we see that Prospero perceives his power over all since he had spared them from horrible existences and given then a taste of the civilized world. Lastly, Prospero believed so deeply that since he was the first noble to set foot on the island that it was his right to claim it as his own. For before him this isle was nothing till he brought his language, education, and culture to it.
During this time Caliban loved Prospero and showed him the features of the island, "The fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place and fertile…" Caliban regrets helping Prospero as he says towards the end of his speech, "Cursed be I that did so!" Caliban feels this way due to his imprisonment.
Caliban is grotesque and base. Arguably, his external ugliness reflects a moral hideousness within. Cosmo Corfield, in his scholarly article Why Does Prospero Abjure His “Rough Magic”? explicates this relationship when he associates “Caliban’s bestiality with a propensity to evil.” However, Caliban’s consignment to the realm of evil and vice must be examined more closely. Is Caliban so evil? Is earthiness necessarily linked to immorality? Understanding the character of Caliban is essential to understanding why Prospero is unable to achieve perfection.
One way in which The Tempest reflects Shakespeare's society is through the relationship between characters, especially between Prospero and Caliban. Caliban is the former king of the island, and Prospero and his daughter Miranda teach him how to be "civilized." Immediately thereafter, Prospero and Miranda enslave Caliban and he is forced to be their servant. Caliban explains "Thou strok'st me and make much of me...
Caliban is treated in a highly demeaning manner since Prospero is a man of magic and has infinite power to control Caliban in every aspect. It is seen early on in the play the amount of control that has been placed over Caliban, to the extent that memories make him cringe and satisfy all of Prospero’s needs. Prospero is obviously the Duke of that island similar to how he was Duke of Milan before being usurped and banished to the island, which is Caliban’s home. In general, the relationship of Prospero and Caliban is a model of early colonization into the New World considering Caliban is it’s only inhabitant. In reality, colonization is the chief reason slavery was implemented which was to maintain laborers in order to prosper in the New World.
Scott, Mark W. Shakespearean Criticism: Volume 133, Excerpts from the Criticism of William Shakespeare's Plays and Poetry, from the First Published Appraisals to Current Evaluations. Detroit, MI: Gale Research, 1987. Print.
... Another instance that Caliban is evil is the fact that he tried to rape Miranda, Prospero’s daughter as stated by Barbara Fuchs in her article Conquering Islands: Contextualizing the Tempest where it says, “Caliban’s attack on Prospero’s daughter once more genders the colonizing impulses” (61). This suggests rape and it is not inhuman and it shows that Miranda is not the first woman who this has happened to. It’s not right, it’s evil. Caliban’s character in this book is horrible in the things that he does, he starting off has an evil monster that was born from an evil parents and he goes around causing trouble wherever he goes.
This is Prospero’s ploy to use Caliban to learn the secrets of the island. Once he knows all the qualities of the island, he no longer needs Caliban’s knowledge and thus enslaves him and uses him as free labor. Caliban despises Prospero and Miranda’s efforts to educate him and to help him. To him, they are all part of the deception. Prospero believes otherwise and feels as though Caliban owes him for his generosity.
The Tempest by Shakespeare and A Tempest by Cesaire both bring attention to the themes that are seen in present day society. A Tempest mostly speaks on behalf of the reference to Malcolm X and the never-ending gain of freedom for both Caliban and Ariel and brings in Eshu, who is a black-devil god. The Tempest speaks of the unity and justice among the different classes of people and discrimination from the beginning. There is a great amount of detail in both stories that is useful. The way society had developed and worked when both stories were published and even written is presented in today’s world, even though it’s not exact references, it still leaves plenty of room for interpretation. Justice, freedom from oppression and discrimination
Prospero’s trust is broken with Caliban because he tried to rape Miranda. There is no evidence of rape, however Miranda was the only female on the island practically supports the idea. Caliban being a natural creature he would not know the different in societies rule against sexual engagement. Prospero learns from his second betrayal, apparently tyrannical state is revealed in verbal abuse ...