Blog Posts

  • Blog Posts

    Blog Post – How are the themes of servitude and freedom explored through the characters of Ariel and Caliban in Act III of The Tempest?

    In Act III of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Ariel and Caliban’s actions explore the theme of enslavement and freedom. Ariel, a spirit with supernatural abilities, is forced to serve Prospero. He chooses a tactic of obedience, viewing his compliance as the path to eventual freedom. Even though Ariel dislikes submission, he tolerates his enslavement patiently, believing that his loyalty will ultimately lead to his liberation. In contrast, Caliban seeks freedom through rebellion. He actively resents his enslavement and attempts to overthrow Prospero’s control. The contrast between Ariel’s compliant patience and Caliban’s active resistance highlights their different choices and interpretations of freedom under enslavement.

  • Blog Posts

    Blog Post: Act 3 Ariel & Caliban: Freedom & Servitude

    Ariel and Caliban, embody different facets of servitude and freedom. Caliban, once oppressed by Sycorax, seeks to overthrow Prospero, revealing a distorted understanding of freedom. His desperation drives him to offer Prospero’s daughter as a means of liberation, highlighting the depth of his servitude. In contrast, Ariel, though bound to Prospero, enjoys a degree of autonomy, moving freely and carrying out tasks that demand intelligence and creativity.For example in Act 3 Scene 3 we see Ariel help Prospero further his endeavors by scaring king Alonzo and his cohort by making the dinner that Prospero had the spirits bring in for them disappear. Then delivering a stark cryptic warning as to…

  • Blog Posts

    Act II, Scene II: The Desperate Islander and His Drunken “Master”

    In Act II, Scene ii of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Caliban meets Stephano, a drunk servant carrying a bottle of alcohol. This scene is funny, but it also shows us something about life in Shakespeare’s time. Back then, European countries were exploring new lands and meeting local people, called “natives.” Colonizers (the explorers from Europe) thought these natives needed to be “civilized,” so they tried to sometimes saw them as saviors and even depended on them. In this scene, when Caliban sees Stephano’s alcohol, he thinks it’s something magical, calling it “not earthly.” He believes Stephano has special powers and even promises to serve him as a “god.” Caliban doesn’t actually…

  • Assignments,  Blog Posts

    Week 5, Act I of The Tempest

    Act I of The Tempest opens with a brushed-up portrayal of a shipwreck emphasizing the characters’ incapacity to read what nature will throw at them and serving in some way as a prelude to the emotional conflict to come. The undertone of moral degradation, in this case, usurpation of power by individual Prospero, is uncovered as he recounts how he became the Duke of Milan together with his daughter Miranda. When there is a struggle within her to seek freedom from Prospero, Ariel’s appearance makes the contradiction between liberty and servitude very clear. The pull of Caliban’s entrance also broadens the naive humanistic approaches to power, with the uprise aside.…

  • Assignments,  Blog Posts

    Week 6’s Blog Post

    In Act II of The Tempest, several key themes emerge through the characters’ interactions. Gonzalo tries to uplift Alonso, who is feeling defeated after the shipwreck, showcasing a sense of optimism amid despair. He presents an idealistic vision of a society free from hierarchy and servitude, which foreshadows the play’s exploration of power dynamics. Meanwhile, Antonio and Sebastian plot to assassinate Alonso while the others are asleep, highlighting themes of betrayal and ambition, as Antonio continues to demonstrate his treachery. Caliban’s curses against Prospero reveal his deep resentment and emphasize themes of colonization and the exploitation of native peoples. Caliban’s mocking celebration of his “freedom” with Stephano and Trinculo both…

  • Assignments,  Blog Posts

    The Tempest: Ariel and Caliban in Act III

    In Act III of The Tempest, Shakespeare explores servitude and freedom through Ariel and Caliban, who both serve Prospero but in contrasting ways. Ariel loyally follows Prospero’s commands with the hope of eventual freedom, seeing his service as temporary and bound to a promise. Caliban, however, resents Prospero’s control, viewing him as a usurper and seeking liberation through rebellion, even conspiring with Stephano and Trinculo. Ariel’s hopeful obedience contrasts with Caliban’s bitterness, highlighting two responses to servitude—one motivated by loyalty and future freedom, the other by defiance and a desire for independence.

  • Assignments,  Blog Posts

    Week 6 Blog Post

    In Act III of “The Tempest”, the themes servitude and freedom are explored through the characters of Ariel and Caliban, each representing and contrasting different facets of these themes. Ariel’s character embodies a spirit who wishes to gain freedom. His servitude highlights his loyalty and desire of freedom. Ariel obeys Prospero’s orders in hopes that it will gain him the freedom he wishes, however, Ariel’s submission towards Prospero only comes to show the lengths he is willing to go, even if it means to relinquish his own power and well being. On the other hand, Caliban only obeys Prospero by force. Caliban’s servitude only shows his desire for rebellion, and…

  • Assignments,  Blog Posts

    Ariel and Caliban in Act III of The Tempest

    In Caliban’s situation, he was enslaved by Prospero and forced into servitude. As he resents Prospero’s rule, seeking liberation, he plots against him, which demonstrates his resistance to oppression and quest for freedom. His situation shows colonial exploitation, injustice of forced labor and cultural domination which doesn’t give him liberation. But in Ariel’s situation , she was willing to serve and be loyal to Prospero by choice . Both situations reveal complexities of human nature, underscoring desires for freedom, autonomy and self-determination.

  • Assignments,  Blog Posts

    Week 6 “The Tempest”

    In Act III of “The Tempest,” the ideas of being a servant and wanting freedom are shown through Ariel and Caliban. Ariel, a spirit who works for Prospero, does his tasks well because he hopes to be free someday. He listens and acts quickly because he knows freedom might come if he keeps doing what he’s told. Ariel’s story shows that even tough situations can be handled if there’s hope for freedom later. Caliban’s story is different. He was forced to serve Prospero after first being friendly to him. Unlike Ariel, Caliban is angry and upset about losing his freedom. He believes the island should be his and sees Prospero’s…