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The Tempest Autonomy Quotes

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In Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, he suggests that power rises above one’s right to their own body. He shows this through Prospero’s entitlement to owning Caliban and Prospero’s influence over Ariel. By examining the relationship and power differences between these characters, one can conclude that power is the dominating role in bodily autonomy. Prospero’s entitlement to owning Caliban suggests that power rises above bodily autonomy. After Caliban explains why he is on the island and who he is, Prospero says
Hagseed, hence!
Fetch us in fuel; and be quick, thou ‘rt best,
To answer other business. Shrugg’st thou, malice?
If thou neglect’st to dost unwillingly
What I command, I’ll rack thee with old cramps,
Fill all thy bones with aches, make thee roar …show more content…

(Shakespeare 1. 2.440-446).
In this quote, Prosper, referring to Caliban as his slave and is forcing Caliban to work for him or else Prospero would torture him, regardless that Caliban does not owe Prospero any work. Caliban’s rights to do what he wants with his own body are taken away from him by Prospero, since Prospero has more power than Caliban. Thus, this shows that power rises above one’s right to their own body. Prospero’s influence over Ariel suggests that power rises above bodily autonomy. After Prospero puts Miranda under a sleeping spell and Ariel makes sure that the ship is safe, Prospero and Ariel say,
PROSPERO. Ariel, thy

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