This document provides context and analysis of Shakespeare's play "The Tempest" through a postcolonial lens. It defines colonialism and post-colonialism, then examines how Prospero represents a European colonizer and how Caliban and Ariel represent colonized peoples. Prospero exerts absolute power over the island's inhabitants, treating Caliban as a slave despite Caliban being the native to the land. The play highlights themes of colonial oppression and how European works have been reexamined in light of imperialism.

1. “A Tempest” as a Postcolonial play
Roll no:03 Semester-3 Year-2014-15
Bharat Bhammar
Paper-11 (Postcolonial Literature)
Submitted to: Department of English
S.B Gardi Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji
Bhavnagar University

2. What is colonialism?
 The control and governing influence of a nation over a
dependent country, territory, or people.
What is Post-colonialism?
 Post-colonialism mean after colonialism. Post-colonialism
is the study of a culture after the
physical and political withdrawal of an oppressive
power.

3. What is Tempest ?
 A violent, windstorm especially one with rain, hail, or snow

4. Theme of colonialism
 Cesaire also has a conscious politician aim in reworking
The Tempest his play keenly examines key issues and
themes of the original in the light of Post-colonial
criticism has been a significant literary approach since the
later twentieth century when many countries all around the
world liberated themselves from European imperialism
and European literary works began to be re-examined for
their imperialist leaning.

5. Theme of colonialism
 The imperialist themes of “A Tempest” have often been noted
by post-colonial critics, with Prospero being seen as an
European overlord and Caliban as a victim of this colonist
oppression.

6. Prospero as a Master
He is sympathetic character in
that he was wronged by his
usurping brother, but his absolute
power over the other characters
and his overwrought speeches
make him difficult to like. In out
first glimpse of him, he appears
puffed up and self important.

7. Ariel as a slave
 Ariel is a spirit of the air who,
because he refused to serve the
witch, Sycorax, was imprisoned in a
tree until rescued by Prospero. Ariel
approaches his tasks with
enthusiasm, quickly doing what is
asked and promptly reporting any
activities that he observes.

8.  Early in the play, Ariel reports the plot to murder Prospero, and
later, he assists in punishing Prospero's enemies. Ariel's obedience
is an important symbol of Prospero's humanity, because he
ameliorates Prospero's role on the island and humanizes the action
that Prospero takes against his old adversaries.
 Finally, Ariel's willing obedience of Prospero's wishes stands in
stark contrast to Caliban's cursing and plotting against the same
master.

9. PROSPERO: Well, Ariel?
ARIEL: Mission accomplished.
PROSPERO: Bravo; good work! But what seems to be the matter? I give you a
compliment and you don't seem pleased? Are you tired?
ARIEL: Not tired; disgusted. I obeyed you but ? why not come out with it ? I
did so most unwillingly. It was a real pity to see that great ship go
down, so full of life.

10. PROSPERO: Oh, so you're upset, are you! It's always like that with
intellectuals! So be it! What interests me is not your moods, but
your deeds. Let's split: I’ll take the zeal and you can keep your
doubts. Agreed?
ARIEL: Master, I must beg you to spare me this kind of labor.

11. Character of Caliban
 Prospero’s dark, earthly slave
frequently referred to as a monster by
the other characters. Despite his savage
demeanor and ugly appearance he has
been interpreted by many critics as a
symbol of the native cultures occupied
and suppressed by European colonial
societies.

12. Prospero
Colonizer
Ariel Colonized

13. Prospero
Colonizer
Caliban Colonized