Categorizing of People in Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Dante’s Inferno
Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Dante’s Inferno both exhibit Foucault’s idea of categorization and subjectification using “dividing practices.” (Rabinow 8) Foucault argued that people can rise to power using discourse, “Discourse has the ability to turn human beings into subjects by placing them into certain categories.” (Rabinow 8) These categories are then defined “according to their level of deviance from the acceptable norm.” (Rabinow 8) Some examples of such categories are the homosexual, the insane, the criminal and the uncivilized. (Rabinow 8). By the above method, called “dividing practices,” people can be manipulated by socially categorizing them and then comparing them to norms. In this way human beings are given both a social and a personal identity (Rabinow 8) and this is how superiority among human beings can be established.
In the play, The Tempest by William Shakespeare, Prospero took control of Caliban and made him his servant. Prospero was able to do this because he viewed Caliban as an uncivilized being; Caliban was portrayed as a beast. Thus, Prospero was able to assume power over Caliban. It can be seen from Prospero’s speech that he thinks that Caliban is inferior to him when Prosper says, “I have used thee, Filth as thou art, with human care […]” (1.2.348-349). Prospero tries to justify enslaving Caliban, but all he really does is place Caliban into a category of bestial and uncivilized and as a result enslaves him.
Even Miranda, Prospero’s daughter, speaks in a way that categorizes Caliban as an uneducated and uncivilized savage. “I pitied thee, Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour […] When thou didst not, savage, know thine own meaning […]” (1.2.356-359) Miranda doesn’t stop there; she continues labeling Caliban, “But thy vile race, though thou didst learn, had that in’t which good natures could not abide to be with; therefore wast though deservedly confined into this rock […]” (1.2.361-364). Exactly this kind of discourse turns Caliban into a subject. If Caliban had not been alone on the island, then Prospero and Miranda would have categorized a whole group of human beings rather than just one.
In addition to the above, Prospero also accused Caliban of trying to rape Miranda. The fact that in the play Caliban doesn’t contest this challenge shows that his character is being categorized as a “black rapist” (Loomba 324). The “black rapist” theme is the thought that black men have a lust for white women and that they are much more likely to rape a white woman.
Today working with new hires fleet organizations chose to developed a plan to equip our new-hire drivers with safer driving techniques and teachable skills to enhance a new understanding of the day-to-day risk our drivers face behind the wheel. The following questions have been asked:
... so different from the images I have in my head of modern-day failed states--whether they be in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, or Africa--to shock me with how much worse things would be after the energy runs out. I still appreciate Bacigalupi's detailed vision of a post-oil future, but for me this milieu wasn't the best background against which to showcase that future. I must also mention that I was almost certainly put off the whole enterprise by the extraordinarily graphic and unpleasant descriptions of Emiko's sexual torture at the hands of her oppressors. I assume that Bacigalupi chose to show those scenes in such detail in order to make her ultimate revenge both justified and a cause of celebration. But I've never really been good at stomaching scenes like that; reading it hurt in a much more viscereal way for me than most other depictions of random violence.
...ntial support, especially among Palestinian youth. As long as the Brotherhood remained aggressive toward the PLO, and non-aggressive toward the Israelis, Israel continued support, even when it was advised of the potential repercussions. However this support backlashed in 1988, when the Muslim Brotherhood created Hamas and announced its final goal of destructing the State of Israel. Without the support of the Israel, the Muslim Brotherhood would never have been able to achieve as much influence as it did in the region nor have created the Hamas organization. It appears that Hamas was in part a creation of Israel that could have been prevented if the country, in its desperation, had not chosen to support an organization merely in order to weaken a bigger enemy. Unbeknownst to them at the time, Israel was actually supporting and creating its own biggest enemy.
In discussing Derrida's view of Western literature, Geoffrey Hartman writes that "Western tradition has been marked . . . by a metaphysics of light, by the violence of light itself, from Apollonian cults to Cartesian philosophies. In the light of this emphatic light everything else appears obscure; especially the Hebraic development of aniconic writing and self-effacing commentary of textuality" (xix). This point is well illustrated by the nature of Prospero's power in The Tempest for his control of natural and supernatural forces is achieved through book-learning the bringing to life of Logos. That which Prospero does not control completely is the vilified character of Caliban. The denigrated and unwilling servant seems to represent Prospero's shadow, and in light of the above statement, perhaps Caliban represents the shadow of our light-infused Greco-Roman style of domination of the material world. The text tells us that when Prospero first arrives on the island Caliban willingly reveals its secrets to him. Only when Caliban threatens the chastity of Prospero's daughter, Miranda, does the relationship turn into one of master and slave. Prospero thus draws the line between the shadow realm and purity. His action suggests that sexuality, too, must be kept in a role of servitude if one is to retain control of one's kingdom. In affirming this schism, Prospero simply enforces the dualistic nature of the Western tradition. In heaping scorn upon Caliban, Prospero embodies the West's extreme dualistic nature vis-a-vis its perceived schisms existent between light and dark, mortal and immortal, good and evil.
“I am superman; I am invincible”, is what one young man thought of himself on August 30, 2009. He left a friend’s house with a young woman in the car with him; it was a dark night and he was feeling good about himself. He thought he would try to impress the young girl and went way too fast. As he topped the hill, he ran off the road, over-corrected, and lost control of his vehicle. The accident claimed both their lives. Numerous car accidents involve young teenage drivers. Raising the minimum driving age to 16 would greatly reduce the number of automobile accidents involving teen drivers because they lack experience on the road, they lack maturity, and they would have less accidents resulting in safer roads.
Prospero recounts his tale of woe to Miranda of being expelled from his dukedom due to the greed of his brother and his brother conspiring with the king. Prospero states, “The King Of Naples, being an enemy / To me inveterate, hearkens my brother’s suit,” (1.2.145-146). The King of Naples recognized his power over Prospero due to his position and gave power to Antonio by furthering Antonio’s “suit”. Alonso did this not only to help his friend, but to make a subordinate out of Antonio. The power Alonso possessed by being the King of Naples enabled him to act on his greed and act immorally. Although Prospero knows how it feels to have a person of authority abuse that position, his power of Caliban becomes too much temptation and he treats Caliban terribly. In a fit of rage, while yelling at Caliban, Prospero exclaims, “Thou most lying slave / Who stripes may move, not kindness, I have used /thee/ Filth as thou art,” (1.2.412-416). Prospero is using rude language to Caliban with terms such as “filth as thou art” and calling him a liar, and even threatens to use physical violence. From his possession of power over Caliban, Prospero uses it to harm him and force him to do the chores for Prospero. Although Prospero did originally treat Caliban with kindness until Caliban attempted to force himself onto Miranda, he swung to the other extreme and is now getting revenge for it. Prospero uses his position of power and his magic to force Caliban under his will and subordinate him. The corruption caused by powers is exempt for morally just individuals such as Miranda. Miranda is able to make a new attachment due to her position of power rather than becoming isolated. She finds a husband in the person who was her subordinate, and does not abuse that position against him. Miranda is the purest and righteous
The Tempest reflects Shakespeare's society through the relationship between characters, especially between Prospero and Caliban. Caliban, who was the previous king of the island, is taught how to be "civilized" by Prospero and his daughter Miranda. Then he is forced to be their servant. Caliban explains "Thou strok'st me and make much of me; wo...
Another way that the treatment of Caliban by Prospero is similar to the treatment of Native Americans by the Europeans is the adaptation of the language. When the Europeans came to the New World they forced the Native Americans to learn their languages and live according to the European culture. People who had spoken one language all their lives, now had to learn another. They had to live by customs they have never heard of even before. In the Tempest, Prospero does this also. When Prospero came to the island he forced Caliban to learn the language that he spoke. Caliban had to adapt to a style of living that he had never experienced before. Caliban had to change completely to adapt to the life forced upon him.
In this whimsical play, Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, after being supplanted of his dukedom by his brother, arrives on an island. He frees a spirit named Ariel from a spell and in turn makes the spirit his slave. He also enslaves a native monster named Caliban. These two slaves, Caliban and Ariel, symbolize the theme of nature versus nurture. Caliban is regarded as the representation of the wild; the side that is usually looked down upon. Although from his repulsive behavior, Caliban can be viewed as a detestable beast of nature, it can be reasonably inferred that Shakespeare’s intent was to make Caliban a sympathetic character.
Rubin, Rita “Report Makes a Case for Raising Driving Age” 09 Sep 2008: n. page. Web. 27 Oct.
One of the reasons for Caliban’s defiance towards Prospero is the fact that he believes the island that they are on to be his, but to have been stolen by Prospero. “This island’s mine by Sycorax my mother, / Which thou tak’st from me'; (1.2.331). Caliban feels as though he has been taken advantage of. When Prospero first comes to the island, he is kind to Caliban, and in return, Caliban shows him the secrets of the island.
As soon as they encounter each other, Prospero begins ordering him around, making him his slave and does the same thing for the spirit of Ariel, whom he promises to release after he performs the duties requested. Throughout both stories, Caliban and Ariel continuously ask for freedom from slavery and get denied until the very end. Prospero eventually gives Ariel his freedom and Ariel gives Caliban his. In the ending of The Tempest, Prospero then delivers a speech essentially asking for forgiveness for his wrongdoings and asks for them to set him free. Caliban throughout both stories is angry and distraught because “This island’s mine, by Sycorax my mother, which thou takest from me.” (Page 13) which he states in The Tempest, and he essentially had no control over anything. This is where the freedom of oppression might be suggested as one of the themes and can even be used in modern
“Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional deaths for teens (16-17),” reported The New York State Department of Health. The most exciting thing about being sixteen in the United States is driving. Teenagers can not wait to be sixteen to drive, however, they do not understand the dangers that come with driving at such a young age. Sixteen is the age between child life and adulthood. It is a time when they are not stable and undergoing change, which makes them unsuitable to drive. Many teenagers would say that they need to get to places. In response to that claim, there are public transportation systems and bikes as available alternatives for young drivers. The financial stability and matureness of eighteen year olds proves
Prospero’s trust is broken with Caliban because he tried to rape Miranda. There is no evidence of rape, however Miranda was the only female on the island practically supports the idea. Caliban being a natural creature he would not know the different in societies rule against sexual engagement. Prospero learns from his second betrayal, apparently tyrannical state is revealed in verbal abuse ...
Prospero appears to be a ruthless tyrant that strikes fear into Caliban to make him work but further on in the text we learn that this is not the case. Caliban's foul-mouthed insults,