Postcolonial theory results from a network of political and cultural tensions between colonizers and colonized. This approach will de-construct Eurocentrism showing that European values and standards are not universal. Highlighting that the same historical event can be interpreted in radically different ways depending on perspective, norms and values, accepted values will be destabilized and marked as constructs. Further, this paper will question the reasons given for colonialism and deconstructs them in order to reveal the economic or political interests they are based on.
I will critically examine the representations of Caliban’s culture in Western discourse. In The Tempest, cultural ideology provides the ideological network for the colonial endeavours which could be theorized as bringing progress to an archaic world. A striking example for the strategy deconstructing “othering” is revealed in Chapter 1 where Caliban is presented as a completely inhuman being revealing strong racism. Therefore, Shakespeare implicitly legitimizes the colonial endeavor, because people like Caliban deprived of full humanity can be regarded as people without history, culture and they have therefore no logical claim to sovereignty. Shakespeare also produces a symptomatic reading of western discourse by psychoanalyzing to reveal western fear of the “other”.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Idea of Otherness - Defining Oneself and the Colonized
- The Unsettling Kinship of the Self and the Other
- The Entrapment of Caliban
- Resistance, the Destabilization of Accepted Values and the Creation of the Third Space
- The Instable Construct of Prospero's Power
- Caliban's Attempt to Dispossess Prospero of His Power
- Mimicry and Hybridity
- Mimicry
- Hybridity – Defining the Difference Between Prospero and Caliban
- Caliban's Desperation Finally Entraps Him
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper deconstructs Eurocentrism in Shakespeare's *The Tempest*, demonstrating how European values are presented as universal and examining the colonial encounter from the perspective of the colonized, Caliban. The analysis challenges the justifications for colonialism, revealing the underlying economic and political interests. The paper also explores the representation of Caliban's culture in Western discourse. * Deconstruction of Eurocentrism in *The Tempest*. * Examination of colonialism from Caliban's perspective. * Analysis of the representation of Caliban's culture. * Exploration of the concepts of "otherness" and the creation of a "Third Space." * Examination of mimicry and hybridity within the colonial dynamic.Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter lays the groundwork for the analysis of Shakespeare's *The Tempest* through a postcolonial lens. It establishes the paper's objective of deconstructing Eurocentrism and revealing the economic and political motivations behind colonialism. The introduction highlights the importance of examining the historical event from diverse perspectives and challenges the accepted values and standards of the colonizers. It sets the stage for a critical examination of Caliban's representation in Western discourse and how Shakespeare implicitly legitimizes colonial actions through this portrayal. The author's approach involves reconstructing the colonial situation from Caliban's viewpoint, showcasing not only his victimhood but also his resistance, and analyzes the resulting “Third Space” that arises from their interaction. The role of mimicry and hybridity in Caliban's entrapment is also previewed. The Idea of Otherness – Defining Oneself and the Colonized: This chapter delves into the concept of “otherness” within Shakespeare's *The Tempest*, focusing on the fear and inherent distance between colonizers and colonized. Caliban's portrayal as inhuman, devoid of history and culture, is analyzed as a strategy to implicitly justify colonial actions. His physical appearance, language, and perceived lack of civilization contribute to his dehumanization. The chapter also explores Caliban's unsettling ability to speak the colonizers' language, revealing his human qualities and challenging the simplistic “othering” imposed by Prospero. Miranda’s reaction to Caliban exemplifies the colonizer's aversion to the “other,” highlighting the constructed nature of this "otherness." The chapter analyzes how Caliban's inherent humanity undermines the colonizers' attempts to portray him as purely monstrous. The Entrapment of Caliban: This chapter examines Caliban's entrapment within Prospero's system, exploring the dynamics of love and fear employed by the colonizer. Initially, "love" in the form of education is used to gain control, but this is followed by fear through oppression and violence when Caliban resists. The chapter highlights the disruption of the clear separation between the “self” and the “other,” shown through Caliban's unsettling human attributes. The cited passage regarding Caliban's lustful intent towards Miranda shows his human capacity to procreate and challenges the narrative of his absolute inhumanity. The chapter also underlines how Caliban represents not only the victim of colonial oppression but also the dehumanized savage, illustrating how the colonizer defines himself by shaping the image of the "other." Resistance, the Destabilization of Accepted Values and the Creation of the Third Space: This chapter explores Caliban's resistance to Prospero's colonial power. It analyzes the inherent instability within Prospero's authority and how Caliban's resistance attempts, though ultimately unsuccessful, challenge the established order. The chapter delves into the concept of a "Third Space" created by the conflict between colonizer and colonized, a space where neither party holds complete dominance. The interplay of power and resistance within this "Third Space" are discussed, highlighting its unstable and contested nature as a result of Caliban's attempts to disrupt Prospero's power. Mimicry and Hybridity: This chapter focuses on mimicry and hybridity as mechanisms of colonial control. It investigates how the colonizer’s belief in their cultural superiority forces the colonized to imitate the colonizer's culture. Caliban's mimicry, however, leads to his further entrapment and the creation of a hybrid identity that works against him. This chapter demonstrates how the resulting hybrid space ultimately crushes the colonized within a colonial system, as Caliban's attempts to assimilate backfire, reinforcing Prospero's dominance. The chapter analyzes the insidious nature of mimicry in solidifying the colonizer's power structure.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Postcolonial theory, The Tempest, Shakespeare, Caliban, Prospero, colonialism, Eurocentrism, otherness, hybridity, mimicry, resistance, Third Space, cultural representation, decolonization.
Shakespeare's *The Tempest*: A Postcolonial Analysis - FAQ
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper uses postcolonial theory to analyze Shakespeare's *The Tempest*, focusing on the colonial encounter from the perspective of Caliban, the colonized subject. It deconstructs Eurocentrism, examines the justifications for colonialism, and explores the representation of Caliban's culture in Western discourse.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include deconstruction of Eurocentrism in *The Tempest*, examination of colonialism from Caliban's perspective, analysis of the representation of Caliban's culture, exploration of "otherness" and the creation of a "Third Space," and examination of mimicry and hybridity within the colonial dynamic.
What is the significance of Caliban's character in this analysis?
Caliban serves as the central figure representing the colonized. The analysis examines his resistance to Prospero's colonial power, his attempts to disrupt the established order, and how his portrayal contributes to the legitimization of colonial actions. His "otherness" and attempts at mimicry are critically examined.
What is meant by "Third Space" in this context?
The "Third Space" refers to the unstable and contested area created by the conflict between the colonizer (Prospero) and the colonized (Caliban). It is a space where neither party holds complete dominance, and the interplay of power and resistance is constantly negotiated.
How does the paper address the concept of "otherness"?
The paper explores how Caliban is "othered" – rendered inhuman and devoid of culture – to justify colonial actions. It analyzes the fear and inherent distance between colonizers and colonized, highlighting the constructed nature of this "otherness" and how Caliban's human qualities challenge this simplistic categorization.
What role do mimicry and hybridity play in the analysis?
Mimicry and hybridity are examined as mechanisms of colonial control. Caliban's mimicry of the colonizer's culture leads to his further entrapment and the creation of a hybrid identity that works against him, reinforcing Prospero's dominance. The insidious nature of mimicry in solidifying the colonizer's power structure is analyzed.
What are the chapter summaries?
The paper includes chapter summaries covering the introduction, the idea of otherness, Caliban's entrapment, resistance and the creation of the Third Space, and mimicry and hybridity. These summaries detail the specific arguments and analyses within each chapter.
What are the objectives of the paper?
The paper aims to deconstruct Eurocentrism in *The Tempest*, examine colonialism from Caliban's perspective, analyze the representation of Caliban's culture, and explore the concepts of "otherness," "Third Space," mimicry, and hybridity within the colonial context.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Keywords include postcolonial theory, *The Tempest*, Shakespeare, Caliban, Prospero, colonialism, Eurocentrism, otherness, hybridity, mimicry, resistance, Third Space, cultural representation, and decolonization.
- Quote paper
- Gerlinde Didea (Author), 2007, Postcolonial Theory in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/120925