Prosperos Relationship with Caliban and Colonialism in...

The relationship between Prospero and Caliban is a perfect demonstration of the dependence relationship between a coloniser and the native of whichever colony he set his eye upon. Colonialism was a subject easily related to by Shakespeares contemporary audience; with James on the throne the British Empire was beginning to thrive and would soon become the largest in not only the 17th Century world, but one of the largest in history. At the time The Tempest was first preformed, 1611, Britain had begun to lay claim to North America and the smaller Caribbean isles, a fact the King was no doubt proud of and, similarly to his addition of the supernatural (a subject that fascinated James), aiming to impress Shakespeare chose to make†¦show more content†¦Caliban’s reactions to Prospero within this scene, both verbal and physical, tell the typical story of a native people who have been under Colonial rule for some time. When he is initially summoned Caliban’s response i s hesitant and churlish, as the stage directions dictate that he does not come when called, but instead shouts in a presumptuous manner, â€Å"(Calling from the far side of Prospero’s cave) There’s wood enough within!† This suggests Caliban is used to being wanted only for manual labour, such as fetching wood. This would’ve been typical of a native in Caliban’s position – one for whom the faà §ade originally presented by the coloniser had fallen. For, like in many 17th century colonial relationships, it was very much the case that initially Prospero was kind to Caliban, â€Å"When thou cam’st first, thou strok’st me†¦And then I loved thee,† and furthermore he and his daughter, Miranda, educated Caliban in science and speech, â€Å"I [Miranda] pitied thee, Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour one thing or other.† This was a typical characteristic of a colonial relationship; in British coloniser opinion the savages needed to be civilised. Often this would invoke warmth towards the settlers within the native people, and this is much the case with Caliban, â€Å"And showed thee all the qualities o’the isle, The fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place and fertile.† However, with the progression of time and with the natives use as a guideShow MoreRelatedTheme Of Colonialism In The Tempest924 Words   |  4 Pageswrote The Tempest around 1610, towards the end of his career as a playwright. 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