A Thesis On

Post-Colonial Thoughts In Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”

A Thesis Submitted To The Department Of English In Partial Fulfillment In

Requirements Of The Degree Of Bachelor Of Arts ( Honor’s ) In English
From Bangladesh University Of Business & Technology.

A Thesis By

Arzu Binte Rahman Tania

Intake:16th;
Id: 08093102006
Course Code: ENG:499
Program: BA (Hon’s) In English
Department Of English
BUBT

Bangladesh University Of Business & Technology (BUBT)

October , 2015
 A Thesis On
Post-Colonial Thoughts In Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”

A Thesis Submitted To The Department Of English In Partial Fulfillment In Requirements

Of The Degree Of Bachelor Of Arts ( Honor’s ) In English From Bangladesh
University Of Business & Technology.

A Thesis By

Arzu Binte Rahman Tania

Intake:16th;

Id: 08093102006

Course Code: ENG:499

Program: BA (Hon’s) In English

Department Of English

BUBT

Submitted To

Mst. Dilruba

Lecturer, Bangladesh University Of Business & Technology (BUBT).

The Department Of English

Bangladesh University Of Business & Technology (BUBT)

October , 2015
 Declaration

I, Arzu Binte Rahman Tania, hereby declare that this thesis entitled “Post-Colonial Thoughts In
Shakespeare’s The Tempest” submitted to the Department of English, Bangladesh University Of
Business & Technology (BUBT), Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh for the degree of B.A (Hon’s) In
English ,is an original work done by me under the supervision of Mst. Dilruba ,Lecturer Of the
Department Of English , Bangladesh University Of Business & Technology (BUBT). No part of
this thesis has been submitted to any institute.

Signature:

………………………………………
Arzu Binte Rahman Tania

ID: 08093102006

Intake: 16th

Program: BA (Hons) In English

Semester: Summer,1215
 Certificate

It is my pleasure to certify that the dissertation entitled “Post-Colonial Thoughts In

Shakespeare’s The Tempest” Submitted by Arzu Binte Rahman Tania from Bangladesh
University Of Business & Technology (BUBT), for the degree of Honors’ in English is an
original piece of Research done under my supervision. To the best of my knowledge , this
dissertation was not previously submitted for any diploma/ degree/ fellowship to any other
University/ Institute. The materials obtained from other sources have been duly acknowledged in
the thesis.

Signature:

……………………………………………

Mst Dilruba

Lecturer Of ,

Department of English,

Bangladesh University Of Business & Technology (BUBT).

 Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I would like to convey my special thanks to Allah for giving me opportunity
to carry out the study and not losing my heart at any stages in my research. Then I would like to
thanks my supervisor Mst Dilruba, Lecturer Of the Department Of English , Bangladesh
University Of Business & Technology (BUBT) for opening the door of opportunity for me to
research under her sincere guidance and giving me her constant support and her expert
suggestions, instructions and provided me with the necessary books regarding my thesis. Thanks
to the chairperson of my department professor Muhshin Reza and all the teachers and stuff of
(BUBT), Dhaka, Bangladesh for their cooperation during my study & inspired me to write more
about the theories of the postcolonial literature.

Arzu Binte Rahman Tania Intake:16th;

Id:08093102006

Program: BA (Hons) In English

Semester: Summer,1215

Department Of English

BUBT
 Abstract

In this theses paper I tried to explore the postcolonial features in the play ‘The Tempest’ of
William Shakespeare. This is my personal intention to prove that The Tempest by William
Shakespeare plays an important role in the development of post-colonial literature and criticism.
It was created in a moment when the colonial system was just beginning to come into being and
that is now falling apart from us. I tried to investigate what the post-colonial writers and critics
found in The Tempest evidence of a history of colonial context. Because my argument depends
on the contention that The Tempest was created in a world where colonialism was coming into
being. I explored the historical context surrounding the moment of the play’s creation , in spite
of the contention of many historians and some literary critics to the contrary. After verifying and
illustrating the historical roots of several popular themes in The Tempest that post-colonial
writers have discussed , I turn to the work of writers and critics from the Third World to show
how The Tempest plays a significant role in postcolonial studies. It is a matter of analyzing the
issues such as subjugation, dominance and language in relation to power. It also discusses the
complex relationship that exists between the master and slave. This text “Tempest” have dealt
with each issue in its own way. Frantz Fanon‘s Black Skin White Mask , Edward Said‘s
Orientalism, Peter Barry’s Beginning theory, Key Concepts Of Post-Colonial Studies and some
more texts that I have studied in perspective of Post-Colonial view. I have been used these texts
from Post-colonial perspective just for making my point of view a practical one. Except from
these texts as primary sources I also took help from many journals, articles and other online
resources that i have been used as secondary sources.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page no

Declaration i
Certificate ii
Acknowledgements iii
Abstract iv
Table Of Contents v- vi
1 . Intruduction
2 . Discussion
2.1 Shakespeare’s The Tempest With Reference To Post-Colonial Approach

2.2 Some Ideas About Post-Colonialism

2.3 Background Information Behind “The Tempest”

2.4 Theories Related To Post-Colonialism

2.5 Significance Of Title And Setting

2.6 The Politics Of Subjugation In The Tempest

2.7 Power Relation And Language

2.8 Knowledge And Power

2.9 The Idea Of “The Self And The Other”

2.10 The Entrapment Of Caliban

2.11 The Conquest And Rupture Between Caliban And Prospero

2.12 Relation Of Prospero With Ariel And Caliban

2.13 Post- Colonial Reading Of 'A Tempest'

2.14 Shakespeare's Tempest Is A Composition Of Various Colonial Elements

3 . Conclusion

3.1 Findings Of The Research

3.2 Summary Of Research

4. Works cites

4.1 Biography

4.2 Online Sources

 1 . Introduction
In order to begin my investigation for my thesis of the special role ‘The Tempest’ plays

in the development of postcolonial theory and practice, I begin my thesis project by examining

and tried to find out the development of The Tempest as a text in a postcolonial discourse that

begins in the nineteenth century just around in the 1960s and 1970s. Exploration of new

geographical spaces and control of those lands by the explorers is basically what we know by

colonialism. Postcolonial literature is a body of literary writing that respond to the intellectual

discourse of European colonization in Asia, Africa, Middle East, the Pacific and elsewhere. It

addresses the problems and consequences of the colonization of a country and of a nation. It also

said by the literary critiques of postcolonial literature, that it carry, communicate, and justify

the racism and colonialism. Postcolonial literary criticism re-examines the social discourse,

between the colonizer and the colonized. What is call a post-colonial literature is debatable. The

term has taken on many meanings. But it has some evidence that says that it studies Social and

cultural change , Misuse of power and exploitation and Colonial abandonment and alienation.

Most of these features could be found in the relationship of Prospero with Ariel and Caliban. The

imperialist themes of “A Tempest” have often been noted by post-colonial critics, with Prospero

being seen as an European overlord and Caliban as a victim of this colonist oppression. William

Shakespeare‘s The Tempest is a good study of the post-colonial literary theory. Many

Postcolonial scholars and theorists have focused their attention on this play. This play have

many post-colonial ideas like, language, power and knowledge, resistance, identity, patriarchy,

etc. For this i specially taken it into consideration that to do my theses paper on the topic of

Post-Colonial thoughts of “Tempest”.

1
 2 . Discussion

2.1 Shakespeare’s The Tempest With Reference To

Post-Colonial Approach :
In this theses I explored the elements of post-colonialism that are present within The

Tempest - ranging from Prospero’s presenting himself as a leader of an unknown island to

Caliban’s treatment as “other”. I shall also explore the different relationships between Prospero

with Ariel and Caliban. Ariel is usually seen as an obedient and magical spirit while Caliban is

often a vicious, resentful beast. I shall explore Caliban as the image of a native from the

perspective of the West as well as Prospero’s control over him. The character of Prospero can

serve as a notable figure in post-colonialist theory. Ariel and Caliban know no other place but

the island they live in. But they have been put under outsider Prospero’s service. Ariel acts more

as a servant whereas Caliban is a slave – because it was a punishment for attempting to rape

Miranda. Though Caliban is the son of a witch, he does not posses any supernatural powers like

Ariel does, and thus is less useful to Prospero. They differ in character and Ariel shares a special

relationship with Prospero that can be seen when they converse with each other, for example in

act one scene two line 317, that indicate that Prospero whispers in Ariel’s ear, that is an example

of trust with a secret and physical closeness that he does not share with Caliban. This in fact adds

distance between them, as well as Prospero often addressing Ariel respectfully by name while to

Caliban by cursing which can be seen in the same scene at line 319: “Thou poisonous slave”.

2
 The Tempest was not originally interpreted as a work of post-colonialism as it was first

performed at a time when colonies only started to be a significant part of history. This play looks

at slavery, colonialism and the power of the West effecting and changing other civilizations,

adapting and preserving to rule. For that reason it remains one of the most important piece in

which the post-colonial theory may be implemented.

2.2 Some Ideas About Post-Colonialism :

Michel Foucault‘s idea of the discourse analysis along with other postcolonial values we can see

some important matter of Post-colonial aspects. Foucault‘s theory is of such a universal nature

that it is applicable to human nature and society. In According to his theory he said that: “power

is productive and it comes from knowledge. That means knowledge is the ultimate instrument of

power” (Barry.186)

The Tempest indicates Shakespeare‘s use of universal vision power by drawing the

character of Prospero. Therefore it shows the protagonist struggles to have supreme power to

rule over the land. The colonizers use various kinds of power tools, such as political, military,

physical, intellectual, legal, lingual, and so on. This thesis would also aim to take a look at the

way the issues of cultural differences are highlighted in the play “Tempest”. Frantz Fanon gives

a universal idea about racism which is another important post-colonial issue. Fanon expresses the

complexities of Black psychology developed by the colonial environment and reveals White

men‘s use of language that results in oppression of the Black mind. In Fanon’s theory:

“The more the black becomes a master of white man‘s language, the more human he gets. The

3
success or achievement is measured by how much the black man can forget about his own self

completely and closely mimic another white person.”( Frantz Fanon’s Black Skin White Mask.)

In Edward Said‘s Orientalism (1978) he criticizes Eurocentric universalism that expresses the

superiority of the West which is regarded as the “Occident” and the inferiority of the East which

is regarded as the ‘Other‘ or the ‘Orient‘.Said discusses the whole process of ‘othering‘ and

mentions how the colonized people are not given a chance to grow and prosper within their own

societies with their own sense of identity. They are usually portrayed as cruel, sensual, lazy,

corrupted, and driven by instinctive emotions and so on. The colonized characters are always

portrayed as people whose emotions are ruled by their racial backgrounds rather than by their

individual social conditions. According to my theses subject Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” is a

good example of postcolonial criticism in which the character Caliban represents a racial ‘Other’.

Here, language is an important subject of study .

During the process of colonization, the British Empire subjugated the colonized lands as

well as the people. In the name of ‘civilization’ they suppressed the colonized people both

physically and psychologically. Especially by using the ― “Bible” and the ― “sword” or gun

power they forced their language and culture on colonized people. They used their language and

literature in the formal education system and preached Christianity through missionary activities.

Therefore, the colonizers created the distinctions like ― ‘self’ vs. ‘other’, master vs.

slave, civilized vs. savage, white vs. black, good vs. evil, strong vs. weak, occident vs. orient ,

elite vs. subaltern and so forth in terms of knowledge, culture and in the daily life of colonized

societies.

4
William Shakespeare is renowned for his plays but most of the time sources are unidentified. It is

believed that The Tempest was written in 1610-11. Shakespeare was inspired to write the play

“The Tempest” from some sources like; Erasmus's Naufragium (1523), Richard Eden's 1555

translation of Peter Martyr's De Orbo Novo (1530), William Strachey's A True Reportory of the

Wracke and Redemption of Sir Thomas Gates, Knight are the main. Of these three sources,

William Strachey's A True Reportory of the Wracke and Redemption of Sir Thomas Gates,

Knight is considered to be the main source of The Tempest. Moreover, it is important to look

upon other sources. The traditional Italian commedia dell'arteis one of them in which the

characters Magus and his daughter as well as their supernatural power is almost similar to

Prospero and Miranda in The Tempest. The poem Metamorphoses written by Ovid is another

source which inspired Prospero’s speeches. Apart from that, Shakespeare read many other

writings which were borrowed in this play. Henry David Gray argues in his essay The Sources of

The Tempest (1920) that: “Shakespeare ―did not invent even the very slight plot about which

The Tempest is built” . For example, Shakespeare read the English translation “Of the

Cannibals”, written by the French writer Michel de Montaigne (1533-92). In this essay

Montaigne showed the artificial values of the ‘civilized’ world in which a society of American

Indians is unaffected by Western civilization but its citizens are noble as well as superior. In The

Tempest there is Montaigne’s view of a Utopia which Shakespeare directly collects and transmits

by the speech of Gonzalo, the honest old Councilor (in Act ІІ. Scene İ ). Shakespeare’s The

Tempest is also a fine example of Fanon’s black and white theory in which Prospero portrays the

white , the civilized and the colonizer whereas Caliban represents a black, a colonized and an

uncivilized inhabitant. The purpose of Prospero’s taking an attempt to teach Caliban language is

5
only a purpose to make him a servant. But in according to Prospero there is nothing good

aboutCaliban, he is not even a good servant. Caliban’s attitude to rape Miranda, Prospero’s

daughter, proves again his incapability of being a civilized man. On the contrary, Caliban suffers

a lot especially psychologically .He learns nothing from his master but only to obey his orders.

This argument focuses the relation of master and servant, European and native that is found on

the colonial experience. As the colonizers have the right to write the rules and make the laws,

Prospero controls the island as the master and commands Caliban like a slave. It seems that

Caliban’s existence with dark skin is a part of benefit of his master. Though the colonizer’s

target is to achieve economic gain, it is the colonizer’s major ambition to turn the colonized into

an object to serve their needs.

I will critically examine the representations of Caliban’s culture in Western discourse. A

striking example for the strategy is the strategy of “othering” that Caliban is presented as a

completely inhuman being revealing strong racism. On the one hand, I will show that Caliban is

not only an exploited victim but also a being of natural human descent that is capable of resisting

to colonization by active and violent expressions. I focus on the theory of mimicry and hybridity

revealing how the colonizer insists on the belief that his culture is the norm; and, due to this

assumption, I will expose several examples showing how the colonized Caliban, imitates the

colonizer’s culture and becomes therefore a part of the colonizer’s system.

2.3 Background Information Behind “The Tempest” :

In 1609 a fleet of nine ships set out from England, headed towards John Smith's Virginia

colony, the first English settlement in the New World. One of the nine ships was separated

6
during a violent storm and ended up on Bermuda. These shipwrecked Europeans began incident.

For over a century, a number of critics have tried to interpret the various elements of post

colonizing the island and enslaving the native population. Shakespeare's Tempest is based on this

colonialism present in The Tempest. In 1818, the English critic William Hazlitt was the first to

point out that Prospero had usurped Caliban from his rule of the island and thus, was an agent of

imperialism. This view provided the basis for modern interpretations of The Tempest as a post-

colonial work.

2.4 Theories Related To Post-Colonialism :

Early critics viewed Prospero as a benevolent, God-like being. He is a benevolent father

figure, a powerful, magical punisher, of means. He sets forth from Europe, conquers a land for

him and his young, and then proceeds to tame and exploit its natural resources (lumber, fresh

water) as well as its natives (Caliban and Ariel). Caliban, on the other hand, is interesting

because he offers an ultimate point of view. As Shakespeare describe him as he is at the mercy

of the colonizers. Instead of a voiceless lump, Shakespeare shows us a man with the ability to

speak and a particular perspective on the use of the island. He is seen as a colonialist with racist

overtones in his treatment of Caliban and Ariel, both of whom are subjugated by him, and desire

freedom.

Caliban is the son of Sycorax, and the original inhabitant of the island before Prospero’s

arrival. When The Tempest is seen through the postcolonial lens, he depicts the native

Americans, and Prospero the invading British. Caliban is seen to live at peace with nature on the

island, like the native Americans. Prospero sees Caliban as savage and uncivilized, thus feeling

tend to convert him and civilize him. Caliban resents this however, since he was free and happy

7
before Prospero arrived. Caliban attempts to rape Miranda, and is unrepentant of it. Caliban says:

“ Would’t had been done! Thou didst prevent me; I had peopled else this isle with

Calibans”(Act 1, Scene 2). He wishes to dominate what he sees are rightfully his own island. The

colonizer Prospero sees it as a threat to his own dominance, hence subjugates him further.

Language is another important tool for cultural domination often used by Colonizing nations,

such as establishing English. Prospero is seen doing this as well. Such when Caliban says: “ You

taught me language; And my profit on’t is, I know how to curse”(Act 1, Scene 2).

Colonial and postcolonial literature is often written in the Colonizer’s language. Caliban

seems to suggest this as well. In the play, Stephano and Trinculo pour wine down Caliban’s

throat and reduce him to a boot licking slave — getting them addicted to alcohol, and selling

them guns to fight among each other was one of the ways the English subjugated the Native

Americans. Both these representation are attempts to dehumanize Caliban, so as to not elicit

sympathy from the user, thus justifying Prospero’s conduct. Shakespeare, however, has a more

sympathetic position, where he tries to represent Caliban’s point of view as well.

Another part of the play that is of notable interest is the parallels and contrasts between

the island under the control of Sycorax and the island under the control of Prospero. Sycorax is

another European exiled on the island who takes control over all of its inhabitants. She viciously

imprisons the spirit Ariel in a cloven pine. On the other hand, Prospero is never described in such

harsh terms. He acts as the forgiving, paternal, and wise leader who leads all of the characters

back to their rightful places neatly within the confines of the play. This comparison between

Prospero and Sycorax could also be looked at as a metaphor for the real-life patterns of

8
colonization of the British and the Spanish. This was a fact that could not have escaped violent,

Shakespeare, and the differences in practices between Sycorax and Prospero seem to vilify the

Sycorax and the Spanish, and idolize to some extent the moderately more benevolent practices of

the English colonizers. The play as a whole is an example of an often contradictory attitude

towards the phenomenon of colonization. The characters of Prospero and Caliban act as two

mouthpieces of opposing ideals. The other characters all fall neatly into categories of

“Conqueror” and “Conquered” and behave accordingly throughout the text.

2.5 Significance Of The Title And The Setting:

The whole play The Tempest takes place on an unnamed island though the location is

unknown. Many postcolonial critics have the opinion that the island is located in the

Mediterranean sea. But the main point is, wherever it is located, the island stands for the

representation of any colonized land. The literal meaning of the name or title of the play The

Tempest is ―storm. But ―tempest has a deeper meaning that is a violent disturbance upon

nature as well as standard of living people. The play opens with a storm scene that is very close

to the nature of human authority. The protagonist Prospero, a scholarly magician of the island

controls the storm to disrupt the peaceful life of isolation. The disruption indicates Prospero‘s

authority and power over the island or his enemies. It seems that Prospero has a preplanned

mission to establish forgiveness and justice. The chief focus of a post-colonial investigation of

The Tempest is through the character of Caliban, seen not as the ‘deformed slave’ of the

dramatis personae but as a native of the island over whom Prospero has imposed a form of

between Prospero and Caliban sour, and this Caliban does not mention. Prospero regards Caliban

as genetically (rather than culturally) ‘inferior’, inherently incapable of civilized behavior.

Caliban’s plot with Stephano and Trinculo is futile, as he comes to realize; he has fallen in with
fools, who, in common with many Europeans have used alcohol to gain influence over the

natives. Caliban’s plot forces the abandonment of Prospero’s magical/ritual masque, the moral

authority of which is directed towards Miranda and Ferdinand’s chastity, a point which Prospero

repeatedly stresses. His fear for Miranda’s chastity demonstrates his anxiety to impose ‘civilized’

behavior on the island, and his fear that it may not hold; it is part of his power complex.

2.6 The Politics of Subjugation in The Tempest :

Prospero’s brother Antonio had corrupted his kingdom and forced Prospero to go into

exile to save his life. He lived his first part of his life in this island inhabited by Caliban and the

others and day by day by virtue of his knowledge, manages to attain a position of power in the

island. The main subjugated as well as colonized characters of The Tempest are Caliban, Ariel

and Miranda. Prospero rules over the island and dominates all its inhabitants by using his

knowledge of magic. It is thought that, the name “Caliban” is taken from Romany word

‘Cauliban’ which means ‘black’ as Prospero calls him ― “thou earth” (act;1 scene;2.line;42)

and says : “This thing of darkness / I acknowledge mine"(act;5, scene;1,line;20).From another

source Caliban’s name derived from a term of the word ― “Cannibal” which is a term derived

from ― “Carib” in other word the Carribean. Therefore, the inhabitants of Caribbean Island, like

the Island in The Tempest were associated with savagery and cannibalism. Caliban however,

does not easily accept this position of slavery in his own land and always attempts to claim his

rightful ownership of the island. Caliban says: “This island’s mine by Sycorax my mother,

Which thou tak‘st from me” ( act, 1.scene2. line 330). On the contrary, the dramatic intension of

the play is occurred by the speech of Prospero: “I am the husband, and the whole island is my

lawful wife; I am the head, and itis my body”.

 In addition, as a ruler Prospero cannot deny Caliban‘s contribution to the island. Miranda

would like a world without Caliban, but Prospero is aware of that . Thus, the relationship

between Prospero and Caliban indicates the colonial experience as master and servant as well as

European and native.

A spirit , “Ariel” is another inhabitant who is bound to obey Prospero’s order. Though

Prospero rescued Ariel from his sentence, Ariel never gets his freedom properly throughout the

play. It is Ariel who creates a violent storm ―Tempest in Act One by the command of Prospero.

Ariel worked almost like the meaning of his name ‘Lion of God’ that is found in the Bible. In

this play only Prospero can see Ariel and Ariel does all the important tasks to satisfy his master.

Once Ariel requested for freedom and Prospero rejected at that moment. In addition , it is

ridiculous that Prospero assures Ariel’s freedom to follow the rest of his commands. Miranda,

Prospero’s one and only child is another good example of a subjugated character in The Tempest.

Prospero plays the role of a dominant master who controls Miranda‘s thoughts and activities.

His first and foremost responsibility is reflected by teaching and controlling Miranda only to

fulfill her role as his inheritor. Miranda has never left the island as Prospero raised her. Even

before meeting Ferdinand, she had never been attracted to another man. Once Miranda states: “I

do not know, One of my sex ; no woman’s face remember; Save, from my glass, mine

own(Act:3, Scene1).

Miranda has neither a sister nor a mother in her life. For this reason, she cannot understand or

communicate with another woman and does not know how to act as a woman in the practical

world structure. Thus, throughout the play even Miranda is treated as an ‘Other‘ by Prospero.
In The Tempest Ariel and Caliban both are subjugated characters and it’s their duty to obey

Prospero‘s order. Ariel listens to Prospero without any question or objection but Ariel never likes

Caliban. Prospero tries to make Caliban civilized and educated and Caliban is intelligent enough

to think it is nothing but one form of subjugation. But it’s the matter of sorry that intelligence has

never saved anyone just like Caliban. Fanon explains the statement of Burnswith an excitement

which is ―“It is laid down in the Bible that the separation of the white and black races will be

continued in heaven as on earth and We are the chosen people- look at the color of our skins.

The others are black or yellow: That is because of their sins. Fanon opines that there is no

difference between Colonial racism and any other racism. Fanon argues that, ―Yes, European

civilization and its best representatives are responsible for colonial racism.”(Fanon, Frantz. Black

Skin, White Masks.Chapter1, P;31,33,35 )

The psychology of colonialism is clearly expressed when post-colonial critics gives it a

name ―Prospero complex. The witch Sycorax tortured Ariel with magic and Prospero does the

same with Caliban. It is almost like that ―one kind of inhuman behavior differs from another

kind of inhuman behavior. Prospero shows his unawareness of Others in the island as well as the

colonial environment as like the colonizers forget that the Others must be respected. The

consequence shows the feeling of inferiority in Other‘s mind.

2.7 Power Relationship and Language :

Shakespeare‘s The Tempest has the field of self-consciousness about language that

indicates the power relationships specially between Caliban and Prospero. The colonizers use

language to express the dominance and ask for obedience and respect from those subordinate in

return. This analysis makes clear to understand ―how individuals view the world and studies

categorizations, personal and institutional relationships, ideology and politics . For instance, In
The Tempest Prospero teaches Caliban how to speak specially the vocabularies consist of ‗I‘,

‗you‘, ‗food‘ , ‗love‘ , ‗master‘, ‗slave‘. But the last two words affect Caliban more and helps

to express his resistance contained within power. Actually I think language is used as a form of

resistance to those in power.

2.8 Knowledge and Power :

The language English is being used in every way of life like, the arts, the sciences, and

all the other branches of learning that influences the culture as well as the mind of the people.

Those who can use the language perfectly are praised highly and that is the measure of their

intelligence and ability. So, the language is a weapon and it is both of a communication and a

carrier of culture. The purpose of colonialism is clear that is to control the people’s wealth; what

they produce, how they produce it and how it is distributed only to control . Actually colonialism

is the business of adventurers and use of power. In The Tempest Prospero‘s knowledge of magic

is used to produce power. As Tennyson gives the idea that, “knowledge comes and wisdom

lingers”. So, knowledge cares about power but wisdom does not care about power.

2.9 The Idea Of “The Self And The Other”

Another objective of the paper is also to present a critical study of discursive practices of

‘othering’. Caliban is Prospero’s slave and so is Ariel. Ariel because he is a good servant which

implies enslavement. Caliban as a native of the island over whom Prospero has imposed a form

of colonial domination.It is Prospero’s perception of Caliban’s attempt to rape his daughter

Miranda. Shakespeare pictures another aspect of human nature here. At first Prospero is good to

Caliban and when something goes wrong in the relationship, and wrong intention rape on his

daughter, certainly Prospero would not take Caliban easily in the way he did
previously.Another aspect of the theme of ‘other’ is that there is a natural distance between

Western colonizers and colonized which is revealed by declaring the colonized as not being

human and, therefore, as not being equal. The reason why colonized are described as inhumane

is due to their differentness: their odd shape, their weird language, their lack of culture and

civilization. Caliban serves to represent “the other” in a rising colonial discourse. He is

introduced from Prospero’s Eurocentric perspective as a “salvage and deformed slave” .

Prospero and Ariel describe him as: “ an unfriendly “freckled whelp hag-born—not honour'd

with a human shape.”(Act I, scene 3)

In Chinua Achebe’s critical review of Heart of Darkness, Achebe points at the common

factors and kinship between “the other” and the colonizer, which Shakespeare also does, but in a

rather fine way. The following passage will exemplify Caliban’s lawlessness and lust, which

support the idea of his primitive character that is far away from the mind of an animal: Pros:

[In mine own cell, till thou didst seek to violate The honour of my child./Cal: O ho, O ho! would

't had been done!/Thou didst prevent me; I had peopled else This isle with Calibans.(Act1,scene-

2)

The Tempest projects the image of the colony as “the other world,” the antithesis of Europe and

therefore of civilization. The character Caliban does not only symbolize the colonized and a

victim of psychological and cultural oppression, but he also stands for the de humanized savage.

By shaping the image of the other, the colonizer defines himself and his natural identity.

2.10 The Entrapment Of Caliban :

From the Eurocentric perspective refusal does not mean throw out the other from social

network but to entrap him by systematically domination. This happens through the process of
love and fear. Love, in terms of education, constitutes the initial step to access the faith of the

colonized. Fear, as a next step, is applied through oppression, violence and torture in case that

the colonized, Caliban, attempts to resist. Prospero’s intention to educate Caliban, of course, is

not to make a perfect, equal human being out of him but to find a level to communicate with him

in order to make him useful and finally to abuse him. Caliban, at least, must be introduced to

Prospero’s language; otherwise Caliban would not understand Prospero’s instructions. As a

consequence, Caliban’s cultural identity and history is distorted and suppressed within the power

structure of colonization. His physical deformation represents his distortion and result of the

violence he has to face during his enslavement.

2.11 The Conquest And Rupture Between Caliban And Prospero:

Frantz Fanon explains that :“colonialism cannot be understood without the possibility of

torturing, of violating, or of massacring.”What Fanon means is that colonized will never accept

to be dominated by the colonizers without resistance again and again and needs to be opposed

by torturing, violating, massacring. The colonizers would never accept to retreat and refuse to

their domination. Therefore, post-colonialism affects both the colonizers and the colonized.

In The Tempest, both Prospero and the intruders of the island as dominant colonizers and

mediators of history uphold a cultural ideal through both psychological and physical force, which

Caliban is exposed to. Caliban is also presented as a raw material for the colonizer whom they

needs to be rebuilt by violent education. One of Caliban’s main characteristics is the creative use

of colonizer’s language and culture as the following line saying_“As wicked dew as e'er my

mother brush'd With raven's feather from unwholesome fen Drop on you both! a south-west

blow on ye And blister you all o'er!”. Caliban enters the scene by expressing an aggressive

stream of curses just to confirm what has been said about him in previous scenes when he was
absent. This passage implicitly invites the audience to adopt the Eurocentric view of the evil

Caliban and, therefore, to support the idea of dominating him. In fact, there is no chance for

Caliban to present himself as a victim and exploited slave; instead, Caliban indirectly legitimized

Prospero’s reaction to his abusive cursing as Prospero says_“For this, be sure, to-night 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 pinch'd /As thick as honeycomb, each pinch

more stinging Than bees that made 'em.”

The dialogue between Caliban and Prospero exemplifies the disability of co-operation in

the colonial system of this island, because there is no level of common interest, despite to whish

the other to leave or making him adopting the own culture. Caliban still resists in a way, but, on

the other side, he is resigned to his fate. He reflects desperation and distress, but the continuous

hints at especially his evilness try to avoid compassion for his situation. Nevertheless,

Shakespeare offers room to Caliban to reveal his feelings. In contrast to other literary pieces,

such as The Heart of Darkness, Caliban has a voice and is able to expose his anger.

2.12 Relation of Prospero with Ariel and Caliban :

In Shakespeare's days, much of the world was still being discovered by European

seafarers, and stories were coming back from distant islands, with myths about the Cannibals of

the Caribbean, faraway Eden’s, and distant tropical Utopias. Shakespeare may be offering an in

depth discussion into the ‘morality’ of colonialism.Different views of this are found in this play,

for example Gonzalo's Utopia, Prospero's enslavement of Caliban. Caliban is also shown as one

of the most natural characters in the play, being very much in touch with the natural world . This
new way of looking at the text explored the effect of the colonizer (Prospero) on the colonized

(Ariel and Caliban). Ariel is generally viewed by scholars as the good servant, in comparison

with the servent Caliban. Ariel is used by some post-colonial writers as a symbol of their efforts

to overcome the effects of colonization on their culture. Such use of Ariel in postcolonial thought

is far uncommon than the other colonized being. The first scene in which Ariel appears brings a

demand for liberty. The first appearance of Caliban marks a recollection of revolt. It is the entry

of a slave. Samuel Johnson commented on this issue to define the relation between the colonizer

and the colonized is that_“Caliban had learned to speak of Prospero and his daughter, he had

no names for thesun and moon before their arrival, and could not have invented a language of his

own without more understanding than Shakespeare has thought it proper to bestow upon him.”

Prospero does not maintain a give and take relationship with the two subordinates. It is totally a

master slave relation. And the relation depends on the struggle for power. This is what exactly

explained in a way that “Prospero’s intention of a struggle for power, of violence and conspiracy.

But it applies not only to the dukedom of Milan. The same theme have been repeated in the story

of Ariel and Caliban also.

2.13 Post- Colonial Reading Of 'A Tempest' :

When Shakespeare wrote The Tempest in 1611, colonization was fairly recent and in the

public consciousness. However, the parallels that are drawn between The Tempest and the

Colonial discourse are more likely to be prophetic rather than descriptive, since colonization was

not old enough yet for all its complexities and moral issues to be revealed.
Shakespeare's The Tempest is interesting because it comes at a period when the English were just

beginning to make their colonial mark on The New World. The play, therefore, represents many

of the attitudes of the time while also showing a remarkable ambivalence towards the issue.

Throughout the text, Shakespeare presents both the tradition Colonial perspective as well as

depicting the perspective of the colonized as epitomized by Caliban, the only human native to the

mystical island on which the play is set.

The play as a whole is an example of an often contradictory attitude towards the phenomenon of

colonization. The characters of Prospero and Caliban act as two mouthpieces of opposing ideals.

The other characters all fall neatly into categories of “Conqueror” and “Conquered” and behave

accordingly throughout the text. Prospero’s capture of Sycorax’s land and his behavior with the

natives of the island have prompted many critics to interpret the play as drama of colonization.

Caliban’s protest against Prospero and his resistance to colonial power using the language taught

by the colonizer . It helps us interpret the play as a postcolonial text.

The Tempest has often been interpreted as a play about colonialism primarily because

Prospero comes to Sycorax’s island, suppress her, rules the land and imposes his own culture on

the people of the land. Pushing the native to the side, he places himself at the center of affairs.

He displaces Caliban’s mother and treats her as a beast. He has full control over everything on

the island. He makes Caliban work as his servant and calls him a thing of darkness. Caliban is

being dehumanized or treated as subhuman. This shows the colonizer’s attitude of looking down

on the colonized people. Caliban is seen as a despicable entity. The whites looked down on the

people of other color. Some are born to dominate while others are born to be dominated. Caliban
is treated as inferior. The colonizer used words like light, knowledge and wisdom to refer him

while he used terms like darkness, ignorance and elemental to describe the colonized. This

binary opposition shows how Prospero as a colonizer creates the colonized people. Prospero sees

himself as a ruler carrying out the project of civilization mission. Prospero as a colonizer

educates and civilizes Caliban but without much success. The civilizing mission is always

accompanied by the politics of domination over the colonized. These elements allow us to study

the play in the light of colonialism.We can easily consider Shakespeare’s Prospero as the

exploitative European power and Caliban and Ariel as the exploited natives.

2.14 Shakespeare's Tempest Is A Composition Of Various Colonial

Elements :

Prospero is a European who has taken charge of a remote island, being able to do so

because of his strong magic powers. With these powers, he organizes a life for himself, gets the

local inhabitants (Ariel and Caliban) to work for him, and maintains his control by a combination

of threats, spells and enchantments, and promises of freedom some day. By taking charge of a

place which is not his and by exerting his European authority over the non-European creatures,

Prospero can be seen as an obvious symbol for European colonial power.

However, Caliban is perhaps the strongest symbol of Post colonialism. Caliban, a native of the

island, regards himself as the rightful owner of the place. He states:"This island's mine, by

Sycorax my mother, which thou takest from me." He is forced against his will to serve Prospero

and Miranda. Initially, Prospero extends to Caliban his European hospitality, teaches him

language, and, in return, is shown all the natural resources of the island by Caliban. But Caliban

refuses to live by Prospero's rules, tries to rape Miranda, and their relationship changes to one of

master and slave. Shakespeare represents as Caliban as an "ignoble savage." When Trinculo first
encounters Caliban, he views him as some kind of monster. Caliban tries to help Trinculo find

food, who might liberate him from Prospero, his current master and lord of the island. Caliban

unctuously says: "I prithee, let me bring thee where crabs grow; And I with my long nails will

dig thee pig-nuts; Show thee a jay's nest, and how to snare the nimble marmoset; I'll get thee To

clustering filberts and sometimes I'll get thee young scamels from the rock. Wilt thou go with

me?"

However, once the starving British colonists recovered their strength, they once again set

about the task of enslaving the native population. The play ends with Prospero deciding to return

to Europe and to decolonize his island and his slaves to free from his bondage . The colonizer

sets himself free as well. Prospero not only gives up his island, but concludes his magical powers

that enabled him to control Caliban.

2.15 Shakespeare's The Tempest As A Critique Of Colonialism :

Prospero’s behaviors to the island, to Caliban and the use of power all can be easily seen

from the post-colonial view. It is true that Prospero’s come to the island by an accidental not

intentionally and he did not come to the island to better his condition. He was made an exile

against his will. But as soon as he lands on the island his attitudes or views does not differ much

from that of a colonist. He orders the two inhabitants of the island and demands loyalty from

them . He uses the island as a colony and like a colonist and as soon as his use for it is over.

That Prospero at heart is a colonist is seen by the fact that he hates the island inspite of his

passing twelve years there. The island geve him shelter, provided him sustenance and created

opportunity to accomplish his final mission. But in the play he seldom speaks about the island.

He rarely mentions it and on the few occasions when he refers to his own abode on the island he
calls it ’a poor cell’, ’a poor court’. It is true that the island is poor and bare compared with

Milan, Prospero’s home country. But the other characters in the play do not such a dislike to the

island. Gonzalo, Ferdinand, Stephano and Trinculo don’t hide their likeness to the island. Their

likeness contrasts Prospero’s disliking of the island. Thus the main difference between responses

of Prospero and others is that while Prospero is openly critical of the island ,others do not

profess any hatred for it. Prospero is keen on returning to his home Milan ,leaving the bare island

behind while others are not driven by any hatred for the island. Milan or Naples does not appeal

to them as it does to Prospero. Thus considering his negative attitude to the island which served

him as a home for twelve years it can be assumed that at heart he always remains a colonist.Thus

Prospero’s conduct on the island is governed by his colonial and utilitarian motives which deny

any love ,gratitude, recognition of a place culturally and morally alien to him.

3 . Conclusion
3.1 Findings Of The Research:

There are many findings come through the investigation on doing my thesis on the topic

“post-colonialism in Shakespeare’s The Tempest”. Some of them I will try to give in very short

sentences. As we know Prospero’s attitude to the island, to Caliban and also his use of power all

can be interpreted from the post-colonial view. At first Prospero’s attitude to the island is similar

to the attitude of a colonizer who goes to the colonies. It is true that Prospero’s coming to the

island is accidental not intentional. He did not come to the island to better his condition. But after

coming into this island he starts a mastery attitudes towards the inhabitance of it.he hates the

island in spite of his passing twelve years there. The island gave him shelter, provided him

sustenance and created opportunity to accomplish his final mission. But he could never love this

land just like a colonizer do. Prospero is keen on returning to his home Milan ,leaving the bare
island behind. Thus considering his negative attitude to the island which served him as a home

for twelve years it can be assumed that at heart he always remains a colonist. So reading the

above passages one can easily find out the whole use of post-colonial structures uses in many

ways in this novel that proves this novel a successful piece of a post-colonial reading.

3.2 Summary Of Research:

In this thesis I am trying to understand the postcolonial criticism through the text. I focus

the condition of the colonizers who are regarded as the colonial masters and the colonized who

are regarded as the ‘Other‘. The Others are subjugated by the colonizers who have superiority of

power and who subjugate in their every way of life like, anguage, religion, culture, skin color

etc. Year after year the British exploit the colonized by their so-called civilizing process. Some

of ‘colonized subjects’ accept the subjugation as well as slavery willingly whereas some of them

revolt. In The Tempest, Prospero takes the strong position of a colonizer. The racial differences

come up with the European woman and the enslaved African man. In The Tempest Prospero as a

colonizer uses his strong power, language as well as knowledge and Caliban is his slave. Caliban

wants his freedom and the right ownership of the island. Caliban is deprived of his rights

always. The other colonized subjects‘ are inspired by seeing his bravery and are capable to fight

against the colonizers. On the other hand, Ariel willingly obeys his Master Prospero‘s order, he

is gentle enough and he knows the formation of revolt.

Prospero is a European who has taken charge of a remote island, being able to do so

because of his strong magic powers. By taking charge of a place which is not his and by exerting

his European authority over the strange non-European creatures, Prospero can be seen as a

symbol for European colonial power. Caliban, a native of the island. He is forced against his will

to serve Prospero. Prospero ordered and suppress Caliban his European hospitality, teaches him
language, and, in return, he kept all the natural resources of the island by Caliban. But Caliban

refuses to live by Prospero's rules, and their relationship changes to one of master and slave.

These are definitely what we call a colonial movements of the History. However, once the

starving British colonists recovered their strength, they once again set about the task of enslaving

the native population. The play ends with Prospero deciding to return to Europe and to

decolonize his island and his slaves to free from his bondage . The colonizer sets himself free as

well. Prospero not only gives up his island, but concludes his magical powers that enabled him to

control Caliban. The wonderful use of the post-colonial aspects like subjugation of using

colonizer knowledge and culture as supreme , Power-relation and Language, use of Knowledge

and Power, The Idea Of Otherness, Conquest and Rupture between master and slaves and so on.

Works Cited / References

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