Culture and Imperialism

THE TEMPEST & CALIBAN

 CLASS NOTES

Fernández Retamar: Calibán.

I.            The Mestizo character of the Latin American (even in cases of non-mestizo Hispanics since mestizaje applies also, and most importantly, to  culture.

II.     The Glorification of mestizaje as the ‘cosmic race”

III.                   Essay as a genre to rehearse “ensayar” identities. The novel will explore Europeans ways and introduce the jungle as a symbol of the uniqueness of Latin America: indianismo, indigenismo, abolicionismo.

IV.    The Caliban symbol applied to the USA (in Latin American literature of the late 19^th century)

V.           Ariel: the intellectual tied to Prospero

VI.   Proposal for identities: Caliban, Ariel, Gonzalo, Miranda and Caliban, Miranda and Ferdinand.

VII.                 THE TEMPEST

VIII.          Miranda: asks her identity. A princess in the Old world and her father Prospero, a Duke betrayed by his brother.  Prospero grows stranger to his dukedom because of his studies of the liberal arts which probably means he neglected the state. No Platonic ideal of the Philsopher King. Alonso takes revenue and power away from Prospero. Enlightened princes who do not play the power game will lose their kingdoms. The fine spirit of Miranda "the princess” and Prospero the enlightened

IX.   He came on shore by “providence divine”.  Prospero brings books  Prospero teaches European culture to Miranda (to keep her ideologically attached to Europe, hence "pure".)

X.           The enemies are brought to shore for revenge.

XI.   Prospero calls Ariel, his servant. Ariel calls Prospero "master”. “I come to answer thy pleasures”. Ariel brings division among the new arrivals. Prospero wants them all alive.

XII.                 Ariel=  European culture saved from the witch and Caliban.  Is the witch Spain ? She left a son, Caliban, the ugly non-civilized the barbaric the culture of the colony. Prospero brings enlightment and civlization to the 'uncultured" Island.

XIII.          Prospero: Let’s visit  Caliban, our slave, we do not like him but we cannot get rid of him. We need him for work. He works for us. He does the dirty work. When Caliban is summoned, Ariel appears.

XIV.                Caliban reclaims his territory. Affirms himself and curses Prospero. Prospero threatens Caliban. If Caliban does not obey, Prospero will use his powers against “the monster”.

XV.  Caliban is a creature close to nature. Shows the island to Prospero, all the charms of Sycorax.

XVI.                “I am all the subjects that you have”. (Caliban to Prospero)

XVII.        I have used you and treated you humanely even when you want the honor of Miranda (Prospero).

XVIII. The population of the Island with offspring of Caliban and Miranda is a horror for Prospero

XIX.               " You taught me your language I will use it to curse you." (Caliban to Prospero) The powers of Prospero’s mind and ideas, his white magic, will oppress Caliban even further.

XX.  Ariel sings. Encounter of Ferdinand and Miranda preceded by the enlightened spirit.

XXI.                The beauty of Ferdinand now fascinates Miranda.  The play achieves now the opposition between nobles and nature. Caliban in counterpoint with Ferdinand as they are possible suitors to Miranda.

XXII.         Ferdinand recognizes that Miranda speaks his language, but so does Caliban and still it does not raises him to a higher dignity. Gonzalo's humanism and liberalism

XXIII. While Gonzalo exposes the principles of  the liberal government  the other two—are plotting against the king.

XXIV.       Caliban made drunk and laughed at by Stephano and Trinculo

XXV.              His desire of rebellion and to overthrow Prospero is made in counterpoint with the plot of Antonio and Sebastian against King Alonso

XXVI.       Same type of assassination. Both kings are sleeping

XXVII.                        The comic, satiric aspect of overthrowing Prospero. An impossible thing to do for a “drunken”, “monster”,” native of the Islands.”

XXVIII.                 Ferdinand now works carrying wood. Caliban that now wants to be free and even gets drunk did this work. Same marries same.

XXIX.        Enters Ariel to prevent both coups

XXX.              Gonzalo takes Ariel to be a noble savage.

XXXI.       Ferdinand, like an Italian gentleman, promises to respect Miranda’s honor.

XXXII.                       Ceres presided by Iris. (Ceres= fertility

XXXIII.                Comes Juno, queen of the Olympus

XXXIV.                      Celebration of marriage…

XXXV.     Art and ideas dissolve conflict (Ariel)

XXXVI.                      Caliban is the only one lucid in his drunkenness

XXXVII.              Rebellion repressed . Virtue is more important than vengeance. Vindication of Prospero’s character.

XXXVIII.       Prospero’s discourse of the wonders of Art, civilization = apology of cultural imperialism.

XXXIX.                      Art resolves conflict.

XL.  Miranda: “Oh brave new world is the old world.”

XLI.      Prospero:           "This thing of darkness, I acknowledge mine ."

XLII.   Prospero  exposes the plot against him but not against his brother

XLIII. Caliban. Forgiven but not set free.

XLIV.       They go back to Naples

XLV.               Retires to his Milan

XLVI.       Let indulgences set me free…

    - Class notes by Dr. Martinez