Aime Cesaire’s The Tempest as a Critique of Colonialism

As India and much of Africa became free of their titles of colony, charismatic and strong national leaders rose to lead the people. Many of these received a Western education, but remained committed to creating a new Africa for the people. Among these, notably was Leopold Cedar Senior who became Senegal first president when the country gained independence in 1960. Senior was one of the founders of the Negritude movement which aimed to embrace the traditions and roots which had made Africa unique.

The main idea of negritude was a black civilization of cultural, economic, social and political values distinct from those of the Western world - different but not inferior. These ideas of the Negritude movement resound strongly in A Tempest. Easier retells his own version of The Tempest by William Shakespeare in reaction to European colonialism. Easier transforms Shakespearean Clinical from an ignorant savage to one who is well-spoken and able to express his mind. His drive for freedom is impeded by nothing and derived from his absolute hate of his enslavement and Prosper.

His brother Ariel assumes the position of appealing to Prosperous morality, and attempts to weather his conscience with his patience and obedience. He believes negotiation and partnership are the ways for freedom. The contrasting personalities reflect the different attitudes of self-determination ranging from non-violent protests for integration to the more radical ideas of separatism advocated by Malcolm X. Clinical is clearly portrayed to be the latter, constantly arguing with Prosper and openly rebelling against him.

Order custom essay Aime Cesaire’s The Tempest as a Critique of Colonialism with free plagiarism report

450+ experts on 30 subjects Starting from 3 hours delivery

Get Essay Help

In their arguments, Prosper is blatantly characterized tit a sense of superiority and as a usurper of Scallion's right to self-determination and freedom. From the very start of their clash, Prosper calls Clinical an "ugly ape" and threatens him with "Beating is the only language you really understand. So much the worse for you: I'll speak it loud and clear," as Clinical claims he has only taught him his language to give him orders, while Prosper views it as an act of generosity of which he should be grateful.

Reflective of Malcolm X, Clinical ends their discourse with, "Call me X. That would be best. Like a man without a name. Or, to be more precise, a man whose name has been stolen. Every time you summon me it reminds Mime Carrie's The Tempest as a Critique of Colonialism By gerrymandering me to a basic tact, the tact that you've stolen everything trot me, even my identity! "Easier depicts Prosper as a man hungry for power and attempting to maintain his control over Clinical and his slaves.

He uses magic and an imposed sense of superiority to exploit Clinical and force him to submit to his will. Power and control is his only objective. When toying with the shipwrecked crew that conspired against him, he is pleased when they are unable to eat the illusion of food before them, but when they refuse to eat Prosper, he is angered: "They insult me by not eating. They must be made to eat out of my hand like chicks. That is a sign of submission I insist they give me. Ariel replies with, "It's evil to play with their hunger as you do with their anxieties and their hopes. " Prosper: "That is how power is measured. I am Power. " This is the ultimate struggle, the never-ending resistance of Clinical against being enslaved and Prosperous commitment to power paralleling the billion of colonies and the empires which control them. Neither will ever yield, as Prosper feels it is his vocation, his responsibility to rule the island, while Clinical will always want his freedom so long as Prosper endures.

Likewise, the discussion between Clinical and Ariel serves to truly represent the characters embodied by each. Clinical views Riel's obedience as cowardly with his "Uncle Tom patience" and his "sucking up to him" while Ariel believes that Clinical to be doomed as his struggle futile as Prosper is invincible in war. Both believe their ay to be the answer and are set in their ways. "I've often had this inspiring, uplifting dream that one day Prosper, you, me would all three set out, like brothers, to build a wonderful world, each one contributing his own special thing. Clinical sees Ariel as naive and believing in an impossible dream. He refuses to endure the humiliation and Justice of Prosper any longer, preferring death to his life of servitude. Clinical is driven by the aspirations of negritude. The death of Prosper as the only solution for his freedom represents the desire of a new world and a return to his roomer self. He will not integrate himself with Prosper, but separate and become free. "You have lied so much to me that you have ended by imposing on me an image of myself.

Underdeveloped, you brand me, inferior, that's the way you have forced me to see myself. I detest that image! What's more, it's a lie! " In his final struggle with Prosper, Clinical comes to realize that he is not inferior, but only made to believe so through his will. Carrie's Clinical is far from perfect and there are faults in his understanding of the oral, but it is one of Carrie's ideals that universal human rights apply to all.

That means the right to life, liberty, and happiness still must be conferred, even if his character is flawed. While it may not have been the objective of Easier to speak his political objectives directly through Clinical, the dynamic contrast between Clinical and Ariel along with the relationship between slave and master play a crucial role in understanding the positions each placed in. Works Staircases, Mime. The Tempest. Theatre Communications Group/TAG Translations; 1 edition

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Run a free check or have your essay done for you

Check my essay Hire Writer