I partially agree that in William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest, anger about the
past is transformed into a lesson about humanity and forgiveness. To me, humanity
is the about expressing a benevolent and respectful attitude towards others. Initially I
will discuss how Prospero and Caliban demonstrate anger towards each other and
how their anger towards each other is transformed into humanity and compassion.
Thereafter I will demonstrate how Prospero and Antonio express anger towards each
other. Finally, I will explore how Prospero is able to forgive Antonio, although Antonio
never apologizes and reconciles with Prospero.
At the beginning of the play, Prospero’s anger towards Caliban is clearly
demonstrated and is double fold. When Prospero first arrived on the island he cared
for and “love thee” but now Caliban is subjugated and vilified for attempting to rape
Miranda 12 years ago when Miranda was 3 years old. Prospero demonstrates his
hate by telling Caliban “Thou didst seek to violate the honor of my child” suggesting
Prospero is angry with Caliban for dishonoring him and his daughter. Thereafter, he
enslaves Caliban and treats him with a heavy hand. Prospero sees Caliban as a
“savage race”, he verbally insults Caliban, physically threatens that he “shalt have
cramps” and makes Caliban perform manual labour.
Furthermore, Prospero demonstrates anger towards Caliban after hearing Caliban’s
plan to kill Prospero. Caliban “is all the subjects that [Prospero] has, which
[Prospero] tak’st from” Caliban Showing Caliban’s utmost hatred towards Prospero
for preventing him to “fill this isle with little Calibans”, enslaving him, torturing him
physically and emotionally and taking the island away from him. So, when Prospero
performs the tempest which leaves all the passengers on the boat stranded on the
Island, Caliban finds Stephano and Trinculo by his rock and curates a plan to kill
Prospero. Stephano and Trinculo think Caliban is a “Mooncalf” and offer him wine.
Caliban has never drunk before and thinks Stephano is a “brave god” for which he
will serve. While they are all drunk, Stephano and Trinculo think that “the king and all
our company else being drowned [they] will inherit” the island and so Caliban
convinces them to kill Prospero for the control of the island to be transferred to
Stephano. Therefore, anger is a facilitator for Prospero and Caliban’s undertaking of
revenge.
At the end of the play, Prospero realizes that he is partially accountable for Caliban’s
actions and expresses humanity towards Caliban instead of hatred. Prospero
accepts him by saying “this thing of darkness, I acknowledge mine” showing that
Prospero admits that enslaving Caliban and torturing him were some of the main
reasons as to why Caliban wanted to kill him. Prospero also promises to give
Caliban his “pardon” and thus his freedom. Therefore, Prospero has transforms from
angry and bitter to humane and forgiving towards Caliban.
Likewise, Caliban does admit at the end of the play that he has not behaved well in
the past and wants to be forgiven by Prospero. Caliban illustrates his capacity for
reflection and change when confessing he will “be wise hereafter and seek for grace”
although he doesn’t use the word “forgiveness” I acknowledge Caliban’s personal
redemption to correct his mistakes and illustrate humanity by striving for nobiliy.
Therefore, Prospero and Caliban exemplify the transformation of anger to humanity.
past is transformed into a lesson about humanity and forgiveness. To me, humanity
is the about expressing a benevolent and respectful attitude towards others. Initially I
will discuss how Prospero and Caliban demonstrate anger towards each other and
how their anger towards each other is transformed into humanity and compassion.
Thereafter I will demonstrate how Prospero and Antonio express anger towards each
other. Finally, I will explore how Prospero is able to forgive Antonio, although Antonio
never apologizes and reconciles with Prospero.
At the beginning of the play, Prospero’s anger towards Caliban is clearly
demonstrated and is double fold. When Prospero first arrived on the island he cared
for and “love thee” but now Caliban is subjugated and vilified for attempting to rape
Miranda 12 years ago when Miranda was 3 years old. Prospero demonstrates his
hate by telling Caliban “Thou didst seek to violate the honor of my child” suggesting
Prospero is angry with Caliban for dishonoring him and his daughter. Thereafter, he
enslaves Caliban and treats him with a heavy hand. Prospero sees Caliban as a
“savage race”, he verbally insults Caliban, physically threatens that he “shalt have
cramps” and makes Caliban perform manual labour.
Furthermore, Prospero demonstrates anger towards Caliban after hearing Caliban’s
plan to kill Prospero. Caliban “is all the subjects that [Prospero] has, which
[Prospero] tak’st from” Caliban Showing Caliban’s utmost hatred towards Prospero
for preventing him to “fill this isle with little Calibans”, enslaving him, torturing him
physically and emotionally and taking the island away from him. So, when Prospero
performs the tempest which leaves all the passengers on the boat stranded on the
Island, Caliban finds Stephano and Trinculo by his rock and curates a plan to kill
Prospero. Stephano and Trinculo think Caliban is a “Mooncalf” and offer him wine.
Caliban has never drunk before and thinks Stephano is a “brave god” for which he
will serve. While they are all drunk, Stephano and Trinculo think that “the king and all
our company else being drowned [they] will inherit” the island and so Caliban
convinces them to kill Prospero for the control of the island to be transferred to
Stephano. Therefore, anger is a facilitator for Prospero and Caliban’s undertaking of
revenge.
At the end of the play, Prospero realizes that he is partially accountable for Caliban’s
actions and expresses humanity towards Caliban instead of hatred. Prospero
accepts him by saying “this thing of darkness, I acknowledge mine” showing that
Prospero admits that enslaving Caliban and torturing him were some of the main
reasons as to why Caliban wanted to kill him. Prospero also promises to give
Caliban his “pardon” and thus his freedom. Therefore, Prospero has transforms from
angry and bitter to humane and forgiving towards Caliban.
Likewise, Caliban does admit at the end of the play that he has not behaved well in
the past and wants to be forgiven by Prospero. Caliban illustrates his capacity for
reflection and change when confessing he will “be wise hereafter and seek for grace”
although he doesn’t use the word “forgiveness” I acknowledge Caliban’s personal
redemption to correct his mistakes and illustrate humanity by striving for nobiliy.
Therefore, Prospero and Caliban exemplify the transformation of anger to humanity.
