Themes of colonization are abundant in The Tempest by Shakespeare. In fact, there are only two scenes in the whole play that have nothing to do with colonization. This is because during the time that The Tempest came out, the populace of England was very interested in colonialism. In The Tempest, Shakespeare uses various characters to illustrate the attitudes of colonialism, as well as slavery, the forceful seizure of land, and being viewed as subhuman.
The Tempest was written during the renaissance from 1610-1611 and was published in 1623. Jamestown was colonized in in 1602 by the British, putting it very close to the timeline that the book was written in. Certain Shakespearean scholars even argue that this play takes place in the new world. In Act 1, Scene 2 when Prospero is asking Ariel if he carried out the shipwreck, Ariel mentions that the king’s ship is, “In the deep nook where once thou called’st me at midnight to fetch dew from the still-vexed Bermoothes, there she’s hid,” (Shakespeare 1.2.228-230). There’s two possible interpretations of this passage, one being that the, “Bermoothes,” refer to the stormy Bermuda Islands which are close to The United States, in the Atlantic Ocean. Another possible interpretation of this passage is that, “Bermoothes,” was also the name of a section of London known for its heavy drinkers. Prospero might have sent Ariel here to a distillery to fetch some, “dew.” Maybe it was simply meant as a double meaning, as a joke, which is something that Shakespeare is famous for.
The first mention of the effects of colonization happens in Act 1, Scene 2 when Caliban and Prospero are fighting. Caliban says, “You taught me language, and my profit on’t is that I know how to curse,” (Shakespeare 1.2.365-366). Previously, Prospero says that he taught has only treated Caliban with kindness, only to have Caliban do awful actions in return, such as attempting to rape his daughter. Caliban retaliates by saying that he wished he was successful in his attempt. This passage shows Prospero’s oppressive attitude towards Caliban, a trait of Colonialism. This generates some very interesting dialogue. It could be said that Caliban’s actions were a result of the oppression of Prospero, or that this scene plays on the idea that indigenous populations are uncivilized and want to rape, pillage and murder, much like the colonists believed. Essentially, the quote means that Caliban is resentful of Prospero teaching him language because he is not treated as an equal, and the only use he has for their language is to curse at them with it. This is another theme of The Tempest, it explores the attitudes of the colonists, not only the ones being colonized.
The attitudes of the colonizers are also explored throughout the text, which is highlighted wonderfully in Act 4, Scene 1. Prospero remembers Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban’s plan against him, and he retaliates against Caliban. “A devil, a born devil on whose nature nurture can never stick,” (Shakespeare 4.1.189-190). This passage reveals that the colonists believe that indigenous populations were uncivilized, and cannot be taught civility. However, not all colonists believe as Prospero did. Some believed that the indigenous populations could be civilized, as is evidenced by the American colonists trying to force the Native Americans to give up their religion, go to school that were supposed to teach them manners, so essentially, to westernize them. This passage says something about Prospero’s character, typically, people demonizes certain ethnic groups, calling them “animals,” or “devils,” In order to dehumanize and enslave them. It become apparent that Prospero has always looks at Caliban as a slave, and used him simply as a means to his own ends.
Shakespeare has a very profound idea in The Tempest That separates it from popular opinions in the early 1600’s as discussed in previous paragraphs. He takes the idea that indigenous populations are savage and turns it on its head. In act 5, scene 1, Prospero asks Ariel how Alonso and his men are doing after putting them under a spell, Ariel replies, “Your charm so strongly works ‘em that if you now beheld them, your affections would become tender,” (Shakespeare 5.1.17-19). Prospero asks Ariel for conformation of his previous statement, and Ariel proclaims, “Mine would sir, were I human,” (Shakespeare 5.1.20). Ariel throughout the entirety of the play carries out Prospero’s orders, but he does so in the nicest way possible, taking extra care to make sure no one is harmed. Ariel has acted was compassion, intelligence, dignity, and self-restraint. Ariel in many ways has shown more humanistic qualities then certain inhabitants of the island, despite this, Ariel refuses to claim human status, and obediently agrees when Prospero denies his freedom again. We can interpret Ariel as the perfect colonized subject, accepting Prospero’s right to rule over him, putting up with Prospero’s bad treatment, and not claiming to be equal to those who enslaved him. Perhaps Shakespeare is taking this idea of the colonizers being civilized, and the colonized being savages and turning it on its head. Throughout the play, it is the invaders of the island who come in a disrupt the peace of the island. Caliban was once a humble man left to his own devices, corrupted by Prospero. These new inhabitants of the island are power hungry, and will do anything necessary to either retain their power or to gain power. Caliban suddenly cares about power once he was under the enslavement of Prospero, as retaliation to free him of his chains. Ariel has done nothing in the play to suggest he is a bad person at all. He has spared everyone’s lives, and carried out all of Prospero’s orders in the most humane way possible. He is more human than those who have conquered the island, and refuses to stoop to their level.
Shakespeare highlights the attitudes of the colonizers in the very end of act 5, whenever everyone is brought together, Prospero is now the duke again, Miranda and Ferdinand’s love has been talked about, Prospero tells Ariel to undo the spell placed on Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo. Prospero then reveals the plan that these three had against him, and asks the other if they recognize Stephano and Trinculo. He then claims, “this thing of darkness,” is his, (Shakespeare 5.1.277). He’s referring to Caliban. There are several other instances of Caliban in the paly being referred to as the non-human, “it.” Darkness in this case is either referring to Caliban being perceived as evil, or just literally saying that Caliban is dark skinned. This interpretation shows the Prospero believes Caliban to be his property, and simultaneously being seen as property, a pet, and a possession. This reveals that Prospero does indeed view Caliban as property, and highlight the means in which people justify the enslavement of others.
In act 2, scene 1, Gonzalo imagines a world without feudalism, which was unheard of in the early 1600’s England. He is sitting with Alonso and Antonio. Gonzalo says that,
I’th’ Commonwealth I would by contraries
Execute all things. For no kind of traffic
Would I admit. No name of magistrate.
Letters should not be known. Riches, Poverty,
And use of service—none. Contract, succession,
Bourn, bound of land, tilth, vineyard—none.
No use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil.
No occupation. All men idle, all.
And women too, but innocent and pure.
No sovereignty. (Shakespeare 2.1.140-149)
This is so vastly different that the views of Alonso and Antonio, who are power hungry. Gonzalo’s views are also opposite of colonialism as well, which is to basically leave everyone alone, and the land they inhabit. Shakespeare was a free thinker, being a prominent figure during the Renaissance period, perhaps he even believed in a world without feudalism. This is a very important passage because it got people to think of a world without feudalism, which our founding fathers believed in.
The Tempest by Shakespeare contains a lot of instances of colonialism throughout the text, because it was on the minds of the populace at the time. This play challenged many of those views and turned them on their head, despite the popularity of colonialism at the time. This play also challenges Slavery, which would later become a dark stain on the world, and it shows the even then people were challenging these ideas. Examining The Tempest can shed light on these feelings, and give us a window in which to view this interesting and tumultuous time in England’s history.