The Tempest Research Paper
SYDNEY STUDIES
The Tempest and the Discourse of Colonialism
G. A. WILKES
If the study of Shakespeare itself can be viewed as an act of cultural imperialism, a play like The Tempest can readily be seen as a text which is complicit with colonial power.
Prospero is the usurping invader, nervous about the legitimacy of his rule, and Caliban is the representative of the subjugated race, his language lessons seen as an attempt to eradicate his own culture, or to bring it under imperialist control. The best way of entry into this debate is still Stephen
Greenblatt 's essay of 1976, 'Learning to Curse: Aspects of
Linguistic Colonialism in the Sixteenth Century ', though its implications may not yet have been fully grasped. l
Greenblatt …show more content…
68).
Whether by subterfuge or not, Caliban 's activities after the encounter of the first act are in a comic mode. He and
Stephano and Trinculo form a comic troupe, united by the liquor salvaged from the shipwreck, Stephano 's dream of becoming lord of the isle, and Caliban 's plan of revenge.
They are eventually mired in a cesspool, and hunted by the dogs. If it is a comical troupe, it is not a particularly engaging one, with the Neapolitans planning to tame Caliban and either to sell or exhibit him, while Caliban tries to
9
See note 8, above.
51
SYDNEY STUDIES
ingratiate himself with whichever he considers the stronger party: That 's a brave God, and bears celestial liquor: I will kneel to him.
(II. ii. 123-4)
I 'll show thee every fertile inch 0 ' th ' Island: and I will kiss thy foot: I prithee be my god.
(II. ii. 155-6)
I 'll kiss thy foot. I 'll swear myself thy subject.
(II. ii. 159)
I 'll show thee the best springs: I 'll pluck thee berries;
I 'll fish for thee, and get thee wood enough.
A plague upon the tyrant that I serve;
I 'll bear him no more sticks, but follow thee,
Thou wondrous man.
(II. ii. 167-171)
How does your honour? Let me lick thy shoe.
(III. ii.
The Tempest and the Discourse of Colonialism
G. A. WILKES
If the study of Shakespeare itself can be viewed as an act of cultural imperialism, a play like The Tempest can readily be seen as a text which is complicit with colonial power.
Prospero is the usurping invader, nervous about the legitimacy of his rule, and Caliban is the representative of the subjugated race, his language lessons seen as an attempt to eradicate his own culture, or to bring it under imperialist control. The best way of entry into this debate is still Stephen
Greenblatt 's essay of 1976, 'Learning to Curse: Aspects of
Linguistic Colonialism in the Sixteenth Century ', though its implications may not yet have been fully grasped. l
Greenblatt …show more content…
68).
Whether by subterfuge or not, Caliban 's activities after the encounter of the first act are in a comic mode. He and
Stephano and Trinculo form a comic troupe, united by the liquor salvaged from the shipwreck, Stephano 's dream of becoming lord of the isle, and Caliban 's plan of revenge.
They are eventually mired in a cesspool, and hunted by the dogs. If it is a comical troupe, it is not a particularly engaging one, with the Neapolitans planning to tame Caliban and either to sell or exhibit him, while Caliban tries to
9
See note 8, above.
51
SYDNEY STUDIES
ingratiate himself with whichever he considers the stronger party: That 's a brave God, and bears celestial liquor: I will kneel to him.
(II. ii. 123-4)
I 'll show thee every fertile inch 0 ' th ' Island: and I will kiss thy foot: I prithee be my god.
(II. ii. 155-6)
I 'll kiss thy foot. I 'll swear myself thy subject.
(II. ii. 159)
I 'll show thee the best springs: I 'll pluck thee berries;
I 'll fish for thee, and get thee wood enough.
A plague upon the tyrant that I serve;
I 'll bear him no more sticks, but follow thee,
Thou wondrous man.
(II. ii. 167-171)
How does your honour? Let me lick thy shoe.
(III. ii.