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How Is Caliban Presented In The Tempest

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Recommended: Characterisation Of Caliban In The Tempest By Shakespeare

In William Shakespeare's play The Tempest, the character of Caliban stands out as having the most valid claim that he has been most wronged by others. Through the portrayal of Caliban's enslavement and mistreatment at the hands of Prospero, as well as the suppression of his language and culture, the play highlights the injustices that can occur when individuals or groups wield power over others.

Caliban's enslavement is evident in his own words in Act I, Scene 2, where he describes how Prospero "made [him] his slave" and how he was "first found of [Prospero]." Caliban's physical and psychological harm is further portrayed in the way he is described as being "pinched and vexed" by Prospero, and in the way he is portrayed as being in a constant …show more content…

Prospero refers to Caliban as a "beast" and a "poisonous slave" who is "capable of all ill!" This dehumanizing language serves to further justify Prospero's actions towards Caliban and supports the notion that he is inferior and not deserving of basic human …show more content…

In Act I, Scene 2, Caliban describes how he showed Prospero "all the qualities o' th' isle" and taught him "how to name the bigger light and how the less." This knowledge is valuable to Prospero and serves to further justify his enslavement of Caliban, as it allows him to gain power and control over the island and its resources.

The themes of colonization and imperialism are central to The Tempest, and Caliban's experiences reflect the historical injustices and violence inflicted upon colonized peoples by European powers. Caliban's status as a native of the island further highlights the unjust nature of colonialism and the ways in which it can be used to justify the exploitation and oppression of indigenous peoples.

In contrast, other characters in the play, such as Ariel and Ferdinand, are not subjected to the same level of mistreatment and oppression as Caliban. Ariel is a spirit who is under Prospero's control but is not enslaved or physically harmed. Ferdinand is the son of the King of Naples and is initially shipwrecked on the island. While he is briefly made to do labor for Prospero, he is not enslaved and is eventually allowed to leave the island unharmed. While these characters face their own challenges, they do not experience the same level of systemic oppression and violence as

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