The Cycle of Slavery in The Tempest Essays -- Tempest essays

The Cycle of Slavery in The Tempest William Shakespeares The Tempest blends elements of jeopardize and intellectual inquiry. The plot of Shakespeares last work contains comedy, romance, and action enough to sustain the interest of his common audience. However, there lies beneath the eloquent language and kindle plot an intelligent political commentary. Shakespeare uses the setting of a virtu aloney uninhabited island as an experimental testing ground for the institution of slavery. Shakespeare shows through his island experiment that subjugation, erstwhile instituted, seems to perpetuate itself. While the most automatic explanation of this cyclical nature of slavery would be to say that this political rule is continued by the subjugators, the affect reality is that it is the victim of colonialism who continues the cycle of slavery. Caliban, the native islander(2.2.36), despises his condition as a slave. However, in his attempt to disrupt and overthrow the political order institu ted on the island by Prospero, Caliban actually provides evidence of the power of slavery over both man and mind. Calibans initial attempt to defy Prosperos power via a verbal curse actually gives Prospero more authority as master in that the curse acknowledges the dukes ultimate power. Caliban begins his speech with the vengeful request that all the evil infections(2.2.1) under the sun fall(2.2.2) upon the tyrant(2.2.160) Prospero. While Caliban wishes for Prospero to be so harmed by sickness, the slave does not have the power to make this happen. Instead, he must request that these evils fall(2.2.2) of their own accord upon Prospero. Calibans lack of authority because of his condition as a slave is immediately contrasted to that... ...tly subjugate Trinculo. This resplendent strategic move on Calibans part further perpetuates the cycle of subjugation. Once again it is the victim of slavery who acts as the agent in establishing and perpetuating slavery. In trying to benefit him self by respite free of slavery, Caliban instead benefits the very practice he so despises. Slavery exerts its power in every sight of Calibans life. In his speech, in his actions, in his thoughts, and even in his attempts to break free of slavery, Caliban cannot escape the powerful effects of subjugation. Caliban does not succeed in breaking the cycle of slavery. Its power and tendency to perpetuate itself are too great. Instead, the slaves attempt to end his servitude actually propagates rather than abolishes the practice of slavery. Works CitedShakespeare, William. The Tempest. Mineloa, NY Drover, 1999.