后殖民主义解读暴风雨

ARIEL: I do not, sir. PROSPERO: Thou liest, malignant thing.
Analysis
1. 1.What can we infer from the opening words of Ariel 2. Prospero enjoys supreme status in this isle.
3. 2. What can we infer from the relationship between Ariel and Prospero
4. Ariel works for Prospero because he wants to obtain liberty. While Prospero keeps reminding Ariel that “ I have saved you.”
Analysis
1. What can we infer from Caliban’s words
The isle was once owned by him and his mother The isle was resourceful Prospero came to the isle in a good-man disguise Prospero then owned the isle and made Caliban, who could have been the king of this
Act 1, Scene 2
• ARIEL.: All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come To answer thy best pleasure; be't to fly, To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride On the curl'd clouds. To thy strong bidding task Ariel and all his quality.
General view by postcolonial critics
Caliban----colonized Prospero----colonist Ariel----agent of the colonist The isle----colony
Act 1, Scene 2
• CALIBAN: I must eat my dinner. This island's mine, by Sycorax my mother, Which thou tak'st from me. When thou cam'st first, Thou strok'st me and made much of me, wouldst give me Water with berries in't, and teach me how To name the bigger light, and how the less, That burn by day and night; and then I lov'd thee, And show'd thee all the qualities o' th' isle, The fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place and fertile. Curs'd be I that did so! All the charms Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you! For I am all the subjects that you have, Which first was mine own king; and here you sty me In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me The rest o' th' island
How is The Tempest related to postcolinialism
Shakespears’ social relation
It was said that he had relationship with those who considered the moral and practical issues of the American colony
CALIBAN. No, pray thee. [Aside] I must obey. His art is of such pow'r, It would control my dam's god, Setebos, And make a vassal of him.
PROSPERO. So, slave; hence!
3. What does Prospero’s art symbolize
Though Caliban hates Prospero, but he can do nothing about it but follow his orders because “His art is of such power”. Take a look at the history of colonization, we may find Prospero’s art is similar to the violent force of the colonist.
mistakings, serv'd Without or grudge or grumblings. Thou didst promise To bate me a full year. PROSPERO: Dost thou forget From whata torment I did free thou dost; and think'st it much to tread the ooze Of the salt deep, To run upon the sharp wind of the north, To do me business in the veins o' th' earth When it is bak'd with frost.
• Three phases of imperialism • The boom of postcolonialism
After the end of the Second World War in 1945 there occurred a large-scale process of decolonization of the territories subjugated by most of the imperial powers, beginning with the independence of India in 1947.
Postcolonial perspective
A Brief Introduction to
Postcolonialism
• A more overtly political approach to interpretation gathered intensity in the 1980s, concerned with the economic, cultural, and psychological effects of imperialism and emancipation from the colonial rule. Postcolonialism is rooted in the history of imperialism.
General background
The Tempest first appeared in 1623. The 17th century marked the beginning of England’s colonialization of America.
Read The Tempest from postcolonial perspective
How is The Tempest related to postcolinialism
In 1819, Hazlitt pointed out Prospero rubbed the island of Caliban.
Origin of the story
Most critics thinks that the plot of The Tempest has something to do with 1609 ship wreck in Bermuda. A ship carrying English immigrants to Virginia, America wrecked, leaving the immigrants in a desert island. But they finally made their way to Virginia.
Act 1, Scene 2
ARIEL: My liberty. PROSPERO: Before the time be out? No more! ARIEL:I prithee,Remember I have done thee worthy service, Told thee no lies, made thee no
isle, his slave. The process is almost the same with the process of colonization.
2. What can we infer from Prospero’s words
He thinks he’s superior to Caliban and Caliban must work for him It reflects the Eurocentric view.