Exploring Prospero's power over Caliban in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'
I can analyse the ways in which Prospero exerts his power over Caliban in Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ and how this might relate to ideas of colonialism.
Exploring Prospero's power over Caliban in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'
I can analyse the ways in which Prospero exerts his power over Caliban in Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ and how this might relate to ideas of colonialism.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Prospero repeatedly calls Caliban his slave, emphasising Caliban’s inferiority.
- Prospero rules Caliban through fear.
- ‘The Tempest’ is considered by many scholars to be a comment on colonialism.
- Caliban could be considered representative of indigenous people controlled by colonists.
Keywords
Representative - Being representative of something means being an example.
Superior - Being superior means being higher in rank, status, or quality.
Inferior - Being inferior means being lower in rank, status, or quality.
Power - Having power means being able to control people or events.
Common misconception
That characters are only meant to be read as themselves.
Often in literature, the characters are the writer's way of commenting on something happening in the world.
Equipment
You may want a copy of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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