In "The Tempest," Shakespeare sharply critiques the concept of colonisation through the complex relationship between Prospero, the ruler, and Caliban, his unwilling subject. Prospero, with his magical abilities, represents the dominant coloniser who takes over the island and exerts control over its original inhabitant, Caliban. This dynamic mirrors the harsh realities of colonial rule, where the colonised, like Caliban, are forced to abandon their culture and submit to the whims of their oppressors. Shakespeare poignantly illustrates this through Caliban’s lament about being punished for even minor offenses, a clear nod to the extreme control and brutality exercised by colonisers such as the Spanish in the New World, where indigenous people were harshly treated and exploited for resources. Moreover, Shakespeare delves into the inherent prejudices of colonial mentality. This is seen when Prospero dismisses Caliban as a 'born devil' incapable of moral growth, reflecting a common colonialist belief in the inherent inferiority of the colonised. Yet, there's an ironic twist – it's actually Prospero, the coloniser, who exhibits more 'devilish' traits than Caliban. In this way, Shakespeare not only highlights the injustices of colonisation but also critiques the moral and ethical corruption it brings to those who wield power.
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