Question

Read the following excerpt from William Shakesphere’s The Tempest.

PROSPERO
Abhorred slave,
Which any print of goodness wilt not take,
Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee,
Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour
One thing or other: when thou didst not, savage,
Know thine own meaning, but wouldst gabble like
A thing most brutish, I endow'd thy purposes
With words that made them known. But thy vile race,
Though thou didst learn, had that in't which good natures
Could not abide to be with; therefore wast thou
Deservedly confined into this rock,
Who hadst deserved more than a prison.
Apex Learning - Exam
CALIBAN
You taught me language; and my profit on't
Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you
For learning me your language!
Discuss two of this excerpt's themes. How does Shakespeare develop these two themes over the
course of the entire play? Support your argument with evidence from the text. (30 points)

Answer 1

Two of the themes in this excerpt from The Tempest by William Shakespeare are power and colonialism.In this excerpt, Prospero, who has power over Caliban, accuses him of being inherently evil and incapable of goodness. He claims to have tried to teach Caliban language and better behavior, but ultimately sees him as unworthy of redemption and deserving of punishment. This demonstrates the theme of power, as Prospero wields power over Caliban and uses it to judge and punish him.

Additionally, this excerpt also touches on the theme of colonialism, as Prospero is an outsider who has taken control of the island and subjugated its native inhabitants, including Caliban. Prospero views himself as superior to Caliban and the other islanders, and sees it as his duty to civilize them and make them conform to his own cultural norms.

These themes are developed over the course of the entire play as Prospero's motivations and actions are further revealed. He uses his magic to control and manipulate not just Caliban, but also the other characters on the island. The play also explores the complex power dynamics between different characters, such as Prospero and his daughter Miranda, as well as his relationship with the spirit Ariel. As the play progresses, it becomes clear that Prospero's desire for power and control has driven many of his actions, including his colonization of the island and his treatment of Caliban.

Overall, Shakespeare uses the themes of power and colonialism to explore complex issues of identity, culture, and oppression in The Tempest. Through the characters of Prospero and Caliban, he highlights the destructive consequences of unchecked power and colonialism, while also raising questions about the nature of morality and redemption.