a tempest” as a postcolonial play
TRANSCRIPT
Name: Nikunj Bhatti
Roll no.:17M.A. Semester: 3Enrollment No.: 14101005Year: 2014-16Paper no.: 10Email id.: [email protected] to: Department of English Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University
A Tempest” as a Postcolonial play
What is colonialism and Post-colonialism
Theme of colonialism
Prospero as a Master
Ariel as a slave
Character of Caliban
What is colonialism?
The control and governing influence of a nation over a dependent country, territory, or
people.
What is Post-colonialism?
Post-colonialism mean after colonialism. Post-colonialism is the study of a culture after the physical and political withdrawal of an oppressive power.
What is Tempest ? A violent, windstorm especially one
with rain, hail, or snow
Cesaire also has a conscious politician aim in reworking The Tempest his play keenly examines key issues and themes of the original in the light of Post-colonial criticism
The imperialist themes of “A Tempest” have often been noted by post-colonial critics, with Prospero being seen as an European overlord and Caliban as a victim of this colonist oppression.
Theme of colonialism
In The Tempest Prospero was at the centre but in A Tempest Caliban is at centre.
He generates the plot of the play single- handedly
Prospero is the Duke of Milan
Father of Miranda, Master of Ariel and Caliban
Prospero as a Master
He is sympathetic character in that he was wronged by his usurping brother, but his absolute power over the other characters and his overwrought speeches make him difficult to like. In out first glimpse of him, he appears puffed up and self important.
Ariel is a mulatto slave rather than a spirit.
His helplessness that forced him to serve Prospero
Ariel as the willing servant.
Better treated but still a captive.
Ariel as a slave
Early in the play, Ariel reports the plot to murder Prospero, and later, he assists in punishing Prospero's enemies. Ariel's obedience is an important symbol of Prospero's humanity, because he ameliorates Prospero's role on the island and humanizes the action that Prospero takes against his old adversaries.
Finally, Ariel's willing obedience of Prospero's wishes stands in stark contrast to Caliban's cursing and plotting against the same master.
PROSPERO: Well, Ariel?
ARIEL: Mission accomplished.
PROSPERO: Bravo; good work! But what seems to be the matter? I give you a compliment and you don't seem pleased? Are you tired?
ARIEL: Not tired; disgusted. I obeyed you but ? why not come out with it ? I did so most unwillingly. It was a real pity to see that great ship go down, so full of life.
PROSPERO: Oh, so you're upset, are you! It's always like that with intellectuals! So be it! What interests me is not your moods, but your deeds. Let's split: I’ll take the zeal and you can keep your doubts. Agreed?
ARIEL: Master, I must beg you to spare me this kind of labor.
Caliban, a villainous island native, the deformed son of a witch named Sycorax, who ruled the island before Prospero arrived. He now works as Prospero's slave but despises him. In the play, he is known to have said many colorful curses.
Character of Caliban
Having language.
Shifts perspective from colonial to post colonial.
Caliban having Power.
Symbolized as third world country.
Enslavement caused by their race.
Presented as colonized with more aggression.
Prospero Ariel
Colonizer Colonized
Prospero Caliban
Colonizer Colonized