What Do We Learn About Colonialism In The Tempest 
The definition of colonialism is ‘a policy by which a nation maintains or extends its control over foreign dependencies.’ In The Tempest, it is not a nation that takes over the island, but
Prospero, and he does this with the aid of magic. In this play, Shakespeare explores colonialism and both it's positive and negative effects through Prospero's relationship with
Caliban and Ariel.
Ariel and Caliban can both be viewed as the colonized subjects of Prospero, and the contrasting attitudes of these subjects towards their master is indicative of the differing ways in which human nature responds to modern civilization. Both Ariel and Caliban are individuals who are clearly oppressed by Prospero, yet each develop a different kind of relationship to their master. The scenes of
The Tempest are structured so as to emphasize the differing characterizations of Ariel and Caliban in their relationship to Prospero. Throughout the play, interactions between Ariel and Prospero come directly before or directly after interactions between Caliban and Prospero. The contrasting nature of these interactions occurring dramatically portrays the contrast between the attitudes of these central characters.
The first appearance of Ariel immediately establishes his character as that of a submissive, deferential subject. His language is that of a slave who binds himself to his master without question: ‘All hail great master!... To thy strong bidding task Ariel and all his quality.’
Ariel’s willingness to serve Prospero is strongly juxtaposed with Caliban’s attitude of satirical rebelliousness which is exhibited in the same scene. Whereas Ariel greets Prospero with an affirmation of his greatness, Caliban greets him with a curse: ‘A southwest blow on ye
And blister you all o’er!’
Caliban’s blatant hatred for Prospero is evident in much of his speech, which consists mainly of curses similar to this one. In these initial encounters, the contrasting aspects of Ariel and
Prospero, and he does this with the aid of magic. In this play, Shakespeare explores colonialism and both it's positive and negative effects through Prospero's relationship with
Caliban and Ariel.
Ariel and Caliban can both be viewed as the colonized subjects of Prospero, and the contrasting attitudes of these subjects towards their master is indicative of the differing ways in which human nature responds to modern civilization. Both Ariel and Caliban are individuals who are clearly oppressed by Prospero, yet each develop a different kind of relationship to their master. The scenes of
The Tempest are structured so as to emphasize the differing characterizations of Ariel and Caliban in their relationship to Prospero. Throughout the play, interactions between Ariel and Prospero come directly before or directly after interactions between Caliban and Prospero. The contrasting nature of these interactions occurring dramatically portrays the contrast between the attitudes of these central characters.
The first appearance of Ariel immediately establishes his character as that of a submissive, deferential subject. His language is that of a slave who binds himself to his master without question: ‘All hail great master!... To thy strong bidding task Ariel and all his quality.’
Ariel’s willingness to serve Prospero is strongly juxtaposed with Caliban’s attitude of satirical rebelliousness which is exhibited in the same scene. Whereas Ariel greets Prospero with an affirmation of his greatness, Caliban greets him with a curse: ‘A southwest blow on ye
And blister you all o’er!’
Caliban’s blatant hatred for Prospero is evident in much of his speech, which consists mainly of curses similar to this one. In these initial encounters, the contrasting aspects of Ariel and