Utopian Society in Shakespeares The Tempest :: essays research papers

The study of Shakespeares The Tempest raises many questions as to its interpretation. Many bank that this play shows Shakespeares views on the colonization of the new world whereas others believe that this is a play about the ever elusive Utopian Society. I believe that this is a play about the European views of society and savagery at that time. I also believe that, if this is true, the play doesnt portray a conventional view of native peoples. Shakespeare shows this by having Prospero, the rightful duke of Milan and Usurping ruler of the island, call Caliban, A devil, a born devil on whose nature nurture nookie never stick but then having Miranda, Prosperos daughter, say I pitied thee, took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour one thing or another.Prospero is aphorism that Caliban is a savage who can not be educated, yet we hear that Miranda has taught him to speak, amongst other things. This gives a conflicting view over the character of Caliban. Is he an angry sava ge or is he a normal human being?The discussion of Caliban could be seen as a representation of the colonisation of the new world, (The Americas) and the treatment of the native Americans. However, the critic Meradith Anne Skura believes the opposite, We have no external evidence that seventeenth century audiences thought the play referred to the new world. This interpretation of the play places more furiousness upon the character of the spirit Ariel, who could also be considered as a native of the island. Prospero frees Ariel from a tree and then enslaves the spirit to do his bidding under the agreement of total freedom.Calibans main speech (1.2.331-344) reveals the nature of his enslavement and treatment, Here you sty me in this hard rock, whiles you do keep me from the rest othisland. Though it is not clear, it seems to me as though Prospero has imprisoned Caliban in a cave and is keeping him from the rest of the island. The reason for this treatment is much clearer , as Prosp ero tells us, I have used thee, filth as thou art, with human care, and lodged thee in mine own cell, till thou didst seek to violate the honour of my child. This tells us that Caliban has tried to rape Miranda at some point and that Prospero treated Caliban much better before the attempted rape occurred.