Preparing to Write About The Tempest Response

In discussions of The Tempest, the major controversial issue is that whether if Shakespeare did or did not emphasis on imperialism. On the one hand, Aime Cesaire argues that Shakespeare in fact did focus on imperialism through his version of The Tempest called A Tempest. For example, Caliban replied back to Prospero that “…Except to jabber in your own language so that I could understand your orders…” In the early sixteenth century, the Europeans came over and taught the Natives their language so they would understand the Europeans. The main purpose of teaching them was so the Europeans could use the Natives to their own benefits. They were new to the world and needed to learn and study the new environment. Therefore, since the Natives knew their surroundings well, they were used to allow the Europeans of such knowledge of the new world. Prospero stood as the Europeans while Caliban symbolized the Natives. Cesaire defends the theme of imperialism in The Tempest. On the other hand, George Will contends that most people are trying to read between the lines too much. For instance, Will stated, “By “deconstructing” or politically decoding, or otherwise attacking the meaning of literary work, critics strip literature of its authority”. He believed that The Tempest may be not based on imperialism. It could have been created to entertain Shakespeare’s audiences and people are taking the play into serious consideration. Shakespeare might have thought of a different theme for the play and it could have been totally different from the theme of imperialism. Will proved the point that what if imperialism was not Shakespeare’s main purpose.

 However, my own view is that Shakespeare did emphasis on imperialism. Shakespeare could have written The Tempest differently without even mentioning Caliban in the play. The purpose of Caliban was to reveal the Europeans’ control on the Natives. Shakespeare wanted to demonstrate to his audiences the treatment of the Europeans to the Natives. Another evidence is the way how Shakespeare characterized Caliban. Why isn’t Caliban portray as an obedient slave instead of a rebellious slave? Shakespeare might have wanted to show how the Natives do not want to be taken over. He wanted to reveal the reactions of the Natives to the Whites’ domination over them. Furthermore, Shakespeare has everyone leave the island. Shakespeare could have suggested that the Whites do leave the New World and leave everything alone. By giving the Natives back their own land and returning back to the Old World. Shakespeare seemed to elucidate imperialism in his play, The Tempest.