Critical Analysis Of A Passage Of Shakespeare's The Tempest
Critical Analysis Of A Passage Of Shakespeare's The Tempest
[i:1a1cab556f]Renaissance and Restoration Literature[/i:1a1cab556f]
[i:1a1cab556f]A critical analysis of a passage of Shakespeare's The Tempest[/i:1a1cab556f]
Act I scene ii lines 320-365
The Tempest can be seen as a colonial text, containing New World ideas. Shakespeare was most probably influenced by recordings of an expedition to Virginia that took place in 1610. One of the ships carrying an admiral and a governor, was separated from the rest of the fleet by a tempest, and ran aground on an island. This island proved to be a haven where they were able to repair the ship, and from there they managed to arrive at Jamestown a year later. The survival of these men was at that time regarded as a miracle. Strachey, who was on this ship, made detailed recordings of the events in letters, in which he also mentions the impossibility of reforming the isle's natives. This was a major issue in the Renaissance debate in Shakespeare's time; The civilized versus the natural man, Art versus Nature. The Tempest deals with these issues, ultimately having art coming to terms with nature in the end.
Prospero, a mighty, authoritative man and magician, driven from his dukedom in Milan, has settled on an enchanted island with his daughter Miranda. They share the island with Caliban, a strange monster-like creature who is the island's natural inhabitant. At first they get along well: Prospero enjoys educating Caliban and teaching him to speak, and in turn Caliban shows him the beauties and wonders of the island. However, when Caliban makes an attempt to rape Miranda, the relationship turns hostile; Caliban is to serve Prospero as his slave, and is confined to imprisonment in a rock.
Prospero, the civilized man, father, and colonizer, who is ruled by intellect and self discipline, uses his white magic (Art) to control Nature: He creates the tempest and controls the island, it's inhabitants, and visitors, as a natural ruler. He has the ability to control others, and enjoys educating Caliban, but in doing so we may conclude that he is imposing his will on him, as colonizers did on the enslaved natives.
Prospero may appear cruel at times, and use his power for more nasty means: After the attack on Miranda he threatens Caliban continuously, tyrannically depriving him of his rights and liberty. However, one can argue whether this treatment is justified, as Caliban "didst seek to violate/ The...