Theme of Slavery in the Tempest

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Identify and examine the range of dramatic methods used by Shakespeare to explore the theme of enslavement in ‘The Tempest’ In my opinion it is evident that in William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ there is a main theme of slavery which takes place within the island. Firstly, an example would be Prospero’s treatment of Caliban, the son of Sycorax who he has taken as a slave on the island. Prospero treats Caliban with very little respect and of little importance. The method of character interaction is shown between Prospero and Caliban when Prospero says; “What, ho! Slave! Caliban! Thou earth, thou! Speak.” (1:2:369) By Prospero referring to Caliban as ‘earth’ it shows how he compares him as the lowest thing there is. The method of character interaction is shown as we see how they both have hatred towards each other, perhaps because Caliban is still angry at Prospero invading the island and taking over everything and how Prospero thinking he is better than Caliban, also that Prospero is then showing Caliban how he is better than him and that’s why he has taken him as a slave for him. Prospero has a very mocking tone and this method is shown when he says to Caliban; “Come, thou tortoise...” (1:2:377) this implies that Prospero is very mean towards Caliban and belittles him in a way to make him feel bad about himself. The imagery of the tortoise would imply to us that Caliban can be very slow and this gives Prospero the influence that he is better than Caliban and thinks he can tell him what to do, however Caliban is shown to be able to stand up for himself and talk back to Prospero as he says “There’s wood within.” (1:2:375) This shows to us the method of Caliban’s characterisation as he is perhaps a character that doesn’t like to be messed with and has a lot of anger inside him because of how Prospero took over the island which would mean Caliban has a lot of hatred
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