, Research Paper
The relationship between master and slave is embraced by Shakespeare in his play The Tempest. Conflicts and complexities of authority are portrayed by the characters Prospero and Caliban. As one gains power, the other loses it. In the play, Prospero rises to power, while Caliban loses it. The legitimacy of Prospero s authority over Caliban is, however, questionable. What gives Prospero the power over Caliban? What are the reasons that Caliban should obey his masters orders? These questions can be answered through investigating the possession of the island, the justice of punishing Caliban, and Prospero s right to use or abuse his power.
One of the reasons for Caliban s defiance towards Prospero is the fact that he believes the island that they are on to be his, but to have been stolen by Prospero. This island s mine by Sycorax my mother, / Which thou tak st from me (1.2.331). Caliban feels as though he has been taken advantage of. When Prospero first comes to the island, he is kind to Caliban, and in return, Caliban shows him the secrets of the island.
When thou cam st first,
Thou strok st me and made much of me; wouldst give me
Water with berries in t, and teach me how
To name the bigger light and how the less,
That burn by day and night; and then I loved thee,
And showed thee all the qualities o th isle,
The fresh springs, brine pits, barren place and fertile
(1.2.332-8)
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.
Caliban is the first one to inhabit the island. When Prospero comes to the island he assumes possession of the island to be his. Along with the possesion of the island he assumes control of whatever and whoever inhabits the island. This trend is also seen in the numerous accounts of European settlers voyaging to the New World and capturing the natives to use them as slaves. Antonio Vieira, a Jesuit father, condemned this and believed that it was God s will for slaves to be free and anyone who takes away one s freedom should go to hell. He quotes, Any man who deprives others of their freedom and being able to restore that freedom does not do so is condemned (from Vieira s Sermon Condemning Indian Slavery). Prospero robs Caliban of his island and of his freedom. He has the ability to restore Caliban s freedom and island, yet he does not.
The innocence of Caliban, however, can also be questioned. Prospero does not enslave him without reason. He demands service from Caliban on the basis that he attempts to rape his daughter. till though didst seek to violate / The honour of my child (1.2.344). Prospero s argument is that he tries to educate Caliban and to help him, but in return, Caliban tries to take advantage of his daughter. Servitude is thus Prospero s way for Caliban to pay penance. Indeed, Caliban should be punished for his wrongdoing, but whether it should be done by Prospero and how much punishment is deserved is not for Prospero to decide. In present day, when a felon is caught for attempted rape, he is punished and serves time in prison. He may have to do services and live in poor conditions. However, these sentences are decided by the government consisting of numerous people. True, in Prospero s time and place, it may have been the business of the victim to punish the criminal; however, Prospero s punishment for Caliban is not entirely for justice, but also for his advantage. The purpose for prison sentences is for justice and for the correction of the criminal. Prospero s sentence was not of this purpose.
Authority is defined as one who has acquired power over another. In this play, Prospero is the one who holds all the power. This power that he holds comes not from exceptional governing abilities or brute strength, but out of his supernatural powers. He is able to control Caliban and to force him to serve him by using his magical powers. Without his supernatural powers, he would have no power over Caliban. This authority that Prospero holds over Caliban is not through love, but instead through fear. Prospero threatens Caliban if he does not obey:
For this be sure tonight thou shalt have cramps,
Side-stitches that shall pen thy breath up. Urchins
Shall, for that vast of night that they may work,
All exercise on thee. Thou shalt be pinched
As thick as honeycomb, each pinch more stinging
Than bees that made em.
(1.2.324-9)
These threats are harsh and cruel and makes it very hard for Caliban to disobey. These consequences are difficult for anybody to endure. The only reason Caliban obeys is because he is afraid of the things that Prospero will do to him if he disobeys. He does not obey Prospero because he loves him but because he fears him. Prospero uses his powers unjustly against a defenseless Caliban. He is able to enslave Caliban because he cannot fight back. Caliban obeys not out of choice but out of fear. Prospero usurps his power from Caliban and abuses it.
Many conflicts of authority are present when there is a master and slave relationship. The Tempest by Shakespeare illustrates a master/slave relationship between Prospero and Caliban in which power and authority is fought over. Prospero is the master and Caliban is the slave. These positions are not the results of chance but rather a result of force. Prospero robs Caliban s island and claims it to be his own. He then robs his freedom and forces him to serve him. His justification for doing so, is that Caliban attempts to rape his daughter and that he should pay penance for it; however, his punishment is not legitimate because it is for selfish reasons not for justice. And the only reason that Prospero has any control over Caliban is through his supernatural powers which he abuses. Prospero the master enslaves the helpless Caliban and deprives him of his freedom and according to the Jesuit Father, Anotonio Vieira, Prospero should be condemned to hell.
Другие работы по теме:
Has Slavery Changed Since Ancient Times Essay
, Research Paper Slavery has always been a large issue and possibly always will. The issues of today are often negative but did you know that back in ancient Roman times they were all for it? Well they were! The question that will be answered in this assessment is ?In what ways, if any, has slavery changed from ancient to modern times?? I believe that slavery has changed very much from the past.
The Tempest Is A Play About Th
Essay, Research Paper The Tempest is a play about the power and dangers of creativity. Discuss. “From beginning to end the play-write gives prominence to the problems of dominion, freedom, political failure and of repetition.”
Christianty In Narrative Of The Life Of
Fredrick Douglass Essay, Research Paper In Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass describes his interpretation of Christianity in his experiences as a slave. Christianity as seen through the eyes of a slave was very different than the Christianity of the slave owner/master. Douglass’ audience is obviously whites and educated blacks, because slaves were forbade reading.
Slavery Essay Research Paper The issue of
Slavery Essay, Research Paper The issue of slavery has been often touched upon in the course of history. Many political leaders and property owners tended to see slavery as an element that supported the economy. These people believed that if slavery and the slave trade were to be abolished, they would lose their colonies, commerce would collapse and as a result the agriculture and the arts would decline.
Tempest And Othello Essay Research Paper TOPIC
Tempest And Othello Essay, Research Paper TOPIC 3 The central issue depicted in both plays The Tempest and Othello is about money. Money in substantial amounts can represent great power and strength over the ruling nation. It plays a major role in our everyday society and one that is fully illustrated in both of Shakespeare’s play.
Slaves Essay Research Paper In what way
Slaves Essay, Research Paper In what way do proletarians differ from slaves? The slave is sold once and for all; the proletarian must sell himself daily and hourly.
Salvery Essay Research Paper To facilitate the
Salvery Essay, Research Paper To facilitate the slave trade, the Europeans built forts, castles and slave holding pens all along the coast of West Africa. An estimated 10,000,000 African came to America via the slave trade. A similar number died in wars produced by the slave trade or the long hard trek from African inland to the coast.
Pride And Perseverance Essay Research Paper Pride
Pride And Perseverance Essay, Research Paper Pride and Perseverance African-American Literature consists of numerous themes or characteristics. Each story, poem, or slave narrative can be linked to an oppressive time, when the major character of each piece tried to overcome such hardships. Taking this into consideration, the two characteristics I chose to explore in our assignment are struggle and pride.
Incidents Of A Slave Girl Essay Research
Paper In Harriet Jacob’s “Incidents in the life of a Slave Girl” Linda Brent reveals the unique brutalities that were inflected on enslaved women that would make one believe that it was best to be dead then to be a slave.
Master And Slave An Analysis Of The
Theme Of Bondage And Liberation In The Tempest Essay, Research Paper Each of the characters in The Tempest finds themselves in bondage. However, by the end of the story, the same characters are set free from whatever enslaves them. A few characters one can see enslaved are Prospero, Miranda, Ariel, and Caliban.
Tempest Essay Research Paper Slavery in The
Tempest Essay, Research Paper Slavery in The Tempest Slavery occurs on a widespread basis in The Tempest. Occurrence of slavery to many of the characters, all in different ways, helps to provide the atmosphere for the play. The obvious slaves are not the only slaves, as Prospero has basically got everybody entranced when he wants, to do whatever he wants with them.
Harriet Tubman Essay Research Paper Harriet tubman
Harriet Tubman Essay, Research Paper Harriet tubman was a runaway slave from maryland who became “moses of her people”. Her real name was Araminta Ross. She was of 11 children.She was a nursemaid for her master’s baby.One day a man went to the store without permission and was going to get whipped. He asked ross to help and she refused.He threw an iron at the boy but he missed him and hit ross.
Slave Trades Essay Research Paper African slave
Slave Trades Essay, Research Paper African slave trade to the America and the European was much worse than slavery in Africa. In this essay ,I will show you the differences. Where were the slave trade took place. Slavery was mostly happing in North America in the carribean and in Europe.The ships full of slaves mostly come to Cuba.
The Slave Trade Essay Research Paper The
The Slave Trade Essay, Research Paper The Slave Trade Slavery is the holding of a human being as property. This practice is thousands of years old. The Egyptians used slaves to build their pyramids two thousand years ago.
The Tempest Essay Research Paper Caliban
The Tempest Essay, Research Paper Caliban’s response to Trinculo and Stephano changes greatly throughout act two scene two. At first site Caliban intrepretates the the two as being spirits or Prospero’s, sent to torment him:
The Tempest Caliban
’s Ignorance Essay, Research Paper The Tempest: Caliban’s Ignorance Shakespeare portrays Stephano’s view of Caliban as an ignorant slave by taking advantage of the “monster”(Shakespeare, Act II, Scene II, line 31) while he is
Caliban Essay Research Paper Mowats essay emphasizes
Caliban Essay, Research Paper Mowat?s essay emphasizes Caliban?s significant role in The Tempest, by William Shakespeare. Caliban?s character, in relation to Prospero?s, expresses the actual relations between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries of settlers and natives, Caliban being the native of the island, and Prospero, the settler.
The Tempest Essay Research Paper Prospero
The Tempest Essay, Research Paper Prospero’s philosopher lacking Shakespeake’s Tempest is a window into his idea of a utopia. The island serves as a place much like that of Plato’s Republic and Moore’s Utopia. But, Prospero, the leader of Shakespeare’s Tempest is not the same philosopher king that both Moore and Plato wished to rule their respective societies.
The Theme Of Freedom Versus. Control In
The Tempest By William Shakespeare Essay, Research Paper THE TEMPEST Explore the theme of Freedom versus Control in the Tempest. The Tempest is a play that explores many themes, one of which is the theme of freedom versus control. We can explore this theme by examining the characters in the play. Throughout the play there are countless examples of power and authority through control, and the desire for freedom echoing strongly along with this is emphasised in many of the characters.
Gender Issues In The Tempest Essay Research
Paper Gender issues in The Tempest The modern NBC miniseries adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest shares many similarities and differences on certain issues. The miniseries is an Americanized version, set during the period of the Civil war. Many issues involving gender were changed in the miniseries to reflect the new setting.
Douglas Essay Research Paper Frederick Douglas Frederick
Douglas Essay, Research Paper Frederick Douglas Frederick Douglass was born in Tuckahoe, Maryland, near Hillsborough. He doesn?t know for sure of his age, he has seen no proof and his master will not inform him. Most masters prefer for their slaves to stay ignorant. He believes that he was around twenty-seven and twenty-eight when he began writing his narrative – he overheard his master say he was about seventeen years of age during 1835.
Freidrich Nietzsche Essay Research Paper Friedrich Nietzsche
Freidrich Nietzsche Essay, Research Paper Friedrich Nietzsche, a unique philosopher had some very interesting ideas about people?s human values and personality types. In this essay I will explain what I like and dislike about his ?Master Morality? & his antithesis to this, ?Slave Morality?.
Denmark Vessy Revolt Essay Research Paper Denmark
Denmark Vessy Revolt Essay, Research Paper Denmark, Vessy, Revolt 1. Question: How to Denmark come to this country and why was he free? Denmark came from Africa and was a slave on a ship. He played a role as a cabin boy and soon became a rower. After that he won a lottery of $1500 in the town of Charleston. What he did with his money was ask his master if he could buy his freedom.
The Heart Of The Savage In The
Tempest Essay, Research Paper The Heart Of The Savage In The Tempest Caliban the deformed savage on the island from his first appearance in the play is more animal than human. Prospero first refers to Caliban by calling him a, “tortoise” (1.2.318).This sets the tone for Caliban’s character in the play as he is labeled as a semi-beast in the play.
Celia A Slave Essay Research Paper Celia
Celia: A Slave Essay, Research Paper Celia: A Slave CELIA: A SLAVE by Melton A. McLaurin is a wonderful book about a single example of the sufferings slavery caused. Piecing together the parts of a life, Mr. McLaurin, tells the story of Celia.
Michelangelo S Young Slave Essay Research Paper
Michelangelo s Young Slave Michelangelo s Young Slave is a sculpture depicting slavery. The Young Slave is based on The Dying Slave. The medium Michelangelo used is marble, and is currently located in The Florence Academy of Art. This work was done for the tomb of Pope Julius II of 1516. The Young Slave is one of four slaves completed for Pope Julius II.
Slave To Pain An Essay On Beloved
Essay, Research Paper Slave to Pain Sethe, now free from slavery has become a slave again, but this time instead of being a slave to a white master she is a, slave to her own pain. The sources of her pain are numerous, including the stealing of her milk, the murdering of her child, Beloved, attempting to kill the rest of her children, and two of her children leaving her because of it.
Propsero
’s Relationship With Caliban Essay, Research Paper Prospero generally greets Caliban and Ariel with the words ’slave’ and ’servant’. Prospero calls Ariel the servant and rarely uses Ariel’s name. Prospero also calls Ariel ’spirit’. It is quite apparent that Prospero feels that he owns Ariel, always calling Ariel ‘My brave spirit’ and ‘Why that’s my spirit’ using ‘my’ in these sentences when he speaks to Ariel, showing possesion.
Prospero And Caliban Essay Research Paper Prospero
Prospero And Caliban Essay, Research Paper Prospero & Caliban In The Tempest there are many different relationships between characters. There is the relationship of master and slave, which Prospero has with Ariel and than there is the master slave relationship he has with Caliban. Ariel is grateful to do what Prospero wants of him because she feels that she is in debt to him.
Prospero And The Tempest Essay Research Paper
He is the “slave” of Prospero. One hears his voice before one actually see him because seeing a beast so horrid looking would be to much of a shock. Caliban once trusted Miranda and Prospero and this was mutual. Caliban showed the newcomers around the island. In return, Caliban was taught to speak English. All respect was lost for Caliban when he attempted to rape Miranda.
The Tempest Essay Research Paper Tempest Character
The Tempest Essay, Research Paper Tempest Character Analysis William Shakespeare’s last play The Tempest is a story about Prospero (the rightful duke of Milan). He is betrayed by his brother Antonio and left on a ship with his daughter Miranda to die. Only things are not going according to plan and Prospero and Miranda arrive on an island.