Racial Differences the Tempest - 1757 Words

Racial Differences in The Tempest The Tempest is a classic example of Shakespeare’s dichotomized notions of right and wrong within the context of racial inherencies, a social commentary of the colonialism of the New World. An important theme in the play is the racial differentiation between Caliban and the other antagonists, primarily, Prospero, who comes to the island and enslaves Caliban to enforce his own rule. This relationship, as portrayed through the play, is a reflection of the historical social and racial tensions that existed between the colonizers of New Europe and the Native Americans and is illustrated through the language employed by Shakespeare and the interactions that take place between the characters. The Tempest†¦show more content†¦The racial and colonial divides do not remain at the mere differentiation or relegation of a people but extend to explain why these differences justify the dominance of supposed superior culture over these very people. T he play reflects early modern conceptions of race and racial differences through the marriage between Claribel and the African King of Tunis as well as through the treatment of Caliban by the antagonists. Claribel marries the King of Tunis out of obedience to her father even though she does not want to. Shakespeare portrays this marriage to an African as degrading, reflecting the racial conception of the inferiority of the colored man to the white man through the character of Sebastian and his conversation with Alonso, the King of Naples: That would not bless our Europe with your daughter, But rather loose her to an African, Where she at least is banished from your eye, Who hath cause to wet the grief on’t . . . You were kneeled to an importuned otherwise By all of us, and the fair soul herself Weighed between loathness and obedience at Which n o‘ the been should bow. (36-37) Caliban also reflects the racial differences and inferiority of other races to the white race, which is partially reflected in his contrast to Prospero. Caliban’s mother wasShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s The Tempest1874 Words   |  8 Pages â€Å"You look similar to me with your appearance. Not just with skin color, but with hands and feet,† said the Caliban from Shakespeare s The Tempest, (or as I will call him, Caliban X). â€Å"I share the same sentiment,† said the Caliban from Cesaire s A Tempest (or as I will refer to him as, Caliban Y); â€Å"...and I am not aware of the circumstances of why we are here, but we can use this time for a purposeful discussion about our livelihoods.† â€Å"I seem to have heard you mention the color of ourRead MoreNo More Miss America By Robin Morgan Essay932 Words   |  4 Pagesstereotype based on racial beauty standards, submissiveness, and inferiority to men. 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