Engaging in the conversation

            In discussions of The Tempest, one controversial issue has been whether or not Caliban is a representation of colonization. On the one hand, Aime Cesaire argues that Shakespeare is portraying Caliban as a native who is not benefiting from his imperialist enslavement. On the other hand,  others contend that Caliban is not a representation of imperialism but a dependent who benefits from his servitude. However, my own view resides with Cesaire that Caliban is portrayed as a  victim of a more advance nation who has no choice but slavery.

            In A Tempest by Cesaire, she changes the dialogue of Shakespeare's play to emphasize the demeaning role which Caliban is unfortunate enough to have. For example, she changes Caliban's initial retorts to Prospero to "You didn't teach me a thing!... I'd be the king... without you" (312). I agree with her rephrasing because if Prospero had never come to the island then Caliban would never have become a slave to Prospero. Nobody would be dominant over him, and his advanced knowledge of the island would put him in a position of power. In the original work Prospero's control over his surroundings is based on his "art of [much] power" (Shakespeare 44). This perspective is most likely that of an uncivilized beast that does not understand scientific advances. It also shows that Caliban has been taught nothing that would deter or interrupt him from his duties. He lives a life completely unaware of how things work and technological advances. Cesaire highlights Caliban's well outdated belief that the world is alive when he says "because you, [Prospero], think the earth is dead" (312). He continues by calling Prospero a "conqueror" (312). Cesaire is stressing the point that Prospero believes the world to be simply waiting for the Manifest Destiny of a nation to control all that it can see or walk upon. The word choice conqueror brings to light that Prospero is not a teacher but instead more of a dictator. Caliban's actions when with Prospero also show his unmoral and uneducated tendencies. Another example of Shakespeare alluding that Caliban is a slave is "[Prospero and Miranda] cannot miss him. [Caliban]... serves in offices that profit [Prospero and Miranda]" (Shakespeare 40). The word serves establishes an obvious dominance over Caliban who is not serving of his own free will or for any compensation. He is granted the privilege to remain in the hut until "[Caliban] didst seek to violate the honor of [Miranda]" (Shakespeare 42). Unable to control his impulses he seeks to procreate using only his natural instincts to guide him. Due to how Prospero treats Caliban and how Shakespeare portrays him, it is only logical to conclude that Caliban represents the misfortunes of citizens from poor, powerless, and less advanced countries during the age of imperialism.