• Research Paper on:
    Shakespeare: "The Tempest" - Politics and Caliban

    Number of Pages: 4

     

    Summary of the research paper:

    This 4 page paper considers the two political powers that play a part in the story; it also explores the character of Caliban. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

    Name of Research Paper File: D0_HVTheTem.rtf

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    sorcerer, his beautiful daughter, and the magical beings Ariel and Caliban is pure enchantment. This paper considers the two political powers that play a part in the story; it also  explores the character of Caliban. Discussion There are several senses in which the term "political powers" can be applied to this work: for example, it can be considered political in  the sense of a colonial power expanding to new territory; it can be a clash between the two systems represented by the order Prospero has imposed on the island and  the intrigue in Milan, or it can refer to the actual political wrangling that resulted in Prospero and Miranda being stranded. Lets consider all three, starting with the last. The  simple fact is that Prospero was Duke of Milan but became fascinated by his studies, to the point that his brother Antonio was able to usurp his throne and have  him banished. Prospero explains all this to Miranda (and to the audience) in the first act, and also tells her that a noble by the name of Gonzalo, hearing of  the banishment, helped by putting clothing, food and books into their boat (Shakespeare 1614). So the two brothers are representatives of two political powers. They also represent two entirely different  political systems: Antonio represents what we might call the "real" government in Milan and Prospero represents a "state of nature." That is, although Antonio pushed Prospero out, he is still  connected with a legitimate governmental structure, whereas Prospero rules an island that is entirely separate from reality. In each realm, however, they are the sole ruler. Finally, many critics have  pointed out that it is possible to see the play in terms of a struggle between imperialist expansion and native peoples: it is "relevant to the oppression of the inhabitants 

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