Nathaniel on Tempest

Schneider, "Are We Being Historical Yet?" (Nathaniel Hess)

Image of John Bull England, published in 1888 in Punch magazine

Shakespeare’s play The Tempest spins a fanciful tale of magic, betrayal, and forgiveness. However, while the protagonist, Prospero, is shown as benevolent to his foes; there is a particular treatment of a certain character that shows a very problematic side of the hero. Not just of the wise magician, but of a European mindset. In the essay, “‘Are We Being Historical Yet’: Colonialist Interpretations of Shakespeare’s Tempest,” Ben Schneider uses critical theory to take a look at the play through a colonialist lens. Throughout the play, the treatment of Caliban, a native to the island where the play takes place, is usurped and used for the bidding of a supposedly benevolent Prospero. Schneider writes, “While his anger at the usurpers of his dukedom seems to know no bounds, he at the same time blames his overthrow on his inattention to duty” (Schneider 123). This shows a prevalent double standard between Caliban and Prospero. His intentions appear to have a noble cause, but a noble cause does not reflect an excuse for such actions. He stills rules with an iron fist, treating Caliban as a slave. Schneider argues, “Prospero rules not by manifest destiny but by force” (Schneider 123). Even worse, some critics would argue that Shakespeare’s play would be an excuse for the English imperialist mindset. It would be this same claim of “manifest destiny” that Thomas Cartelli, in Schneider’s essay, would argue, “That Shakespeare is to blame for the way in which British imperialists have justified colonial oppression on the model of Caliban’s apparent ineducability” (Schneider 121). To justify his overthrow of Caliban, Prospero, “Brings up the matter of the rape to divert attention from Caliban’s rightful claim to the island; and second, colonialists always excuse their barbarity by attributing sub-human characteristics to the native population” (Schneider 123). Schneider is not ignoring his actions, but instead connecting his actions to a common idea. Caliban perpetuates a stereotype of a savage who should be overthrown, because he is sub-human. By Shakespeare’s logic, it is acceptable to usurp people who are not part of European culture; as they are horrible sub-human savages. Especially if one’s purpose is that of some “manifest destiny.” While The Tempest is still a touching tale about forgiveness, its hypocritical stance of colonialism is one that is all too similar to English imperialism.  

Works Cited

Schneider, Ben Ross. "Are We Being Historical Yet": Colonialist Interpretations of

Shakespeare’s Tempest.

“Imperialism.” Political Cartoons, 6 Mar. 2013.