Tempest Critical Lens

Cesaire states “A civilization that chooses to close its eyes to its most crucial problem is stricken civilization” (Cesaire 47). In the poem, Ariel seemed to have warned Caliban of the evil acts that Prospero was planning to do to him and this made Caliban greet him with a lot of suspicion. Caliban respond to Ariel by asking him if the old man had sent him. He swiftly rebuked Ariel by blaming him for not resisting Prospero’s orders. Caliban also made a sarcastic statement when he stated that Ariel had done great job of doing the job that the Master wanted him to do (Cesaire 28). Additionally, he blamed him for succumbing to the Masters’ plans. He questioned Ariel is he gained anything by being obedient to his Master. In fact, he stated that the more he became obedient to his master, the more his master would exploit him day by day (Cesaire 28).

Caliban argues that weakness is man’s flaw and cowardice keeps man from making a list of such flaws (Cesaire 28). As Ariel attempts to impact Prospero’s conscience by obeying his orders, Caliban is quick to reject him with a lot of rage stating “We must change Prospero” (Cesaire 28). He adds that they must put an end to his serenity so that he will be obliged to acknowledge his personal injustice (Cesaire 28). Caliban insists that Ariel is a credulous person who believes in everything that Prospero has told him, he makes fake promises that he does not fulfill. Additionally, Caliban tells Ariel that he should no longer trust Ariel because he is close to Prospero and carries out his orders. He manages to convince Ariel that Prospero is a traitor who wants to prey on the weak and gullible to achieve his personal fantasies and