Ariel+Caliban
The Tempest - Barbarism versus CivilizationIn Shakespeare's play, "The Tempest," an underlying theme of barbarism versus civilization appears. Shakespeare creates characters that exemplify symbols of nature or nurture. The symbolism of the characters is derived from their actions. These actions show Shakespeare's view of the uncivilized and the civilized, as well as help the reader develop his own opinion of each side. In this whimsical play, Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, after being supplanted of his dukedom by his brother, arrives on an island. He frees a spirit named Ariel from a spell and in turn makes the spirit his slave. He also enslaves a native monster named Caliban. These two slaves, Caliban and Ariel, symbolize the theme of nature versus nurture. Caliban is regarded as the representation of the wild; the side that is usually looked down upon. Although from his repulsive behavior, Caliban can be viewed as a detestable beast of nature, it can be reasonably inferred that Shakespeare's intent was to make Caliban a sympathetic character. During the first encounter, Caliban comes across very bestial and immoral. While approaching Caliban's cave, Prospero derogatorily says, "...[he] never/Yields us kind answer," me
" is part of a quote that illustrates Caliban's relationship with Prospero before he was his slave. Shakespeare portrays Caliban as a very ugly and crude looking beast, which is how people of nature are pictured by citizens of society. Caliban still displays his natural behavior by being blunt and so-called detestable as a slave. Until Prospero arrived on the island, Caliban was his own king. It is his basic nature to do as he feels. Shakespeare shows that our perception of others is not always the true picture. Caliban's appearance exemplifies the degenerate animal nature within him. When Prospero reaches the cave, he calls to Caliban. Caliban might be portrayed as evil, but he is not as callous as Antonio, Prospero's brother. Caliban abruptly responds, "There's wood enough within.
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Acceptance Essays
