The Tempest and Post-Colonial Theory | Summary and Analysis of Shakespeare's Tempest

[@mrnobody-unowen]

Will watch after my stats class!!

[@mrnobody-unowen]

Fascinating!

[@catspaghetti4515]

the fact you made such a good video with such little recognition is crazy. im so thankful for this

[@shakespeareplaybyplay]

Thank you! This is the result of 8 months research and hiring the brilliant Margo Hendricks (Professor Emerita of Literature who has decades of experience writing about and promoting post-colonial research) to fact check and provide feedback. It was indeed a ton of work and effort, and I'm glad it found an audience that appreciates that.

[@rebelblade7159]

Thank you, You're video has been quite useful in analyzing the Tempest from a Postcolonial perspective. Also something extra I want to add is regarding the end of Prospero's character arc. After he forgives the ones who had wronged him, he discards his magical abilities and stuff so that he can leave the island to rejoin civilization. This might seem like something insignificant but there's some common patterns that I have observed in Colonial-Era literature while looking at them from a postcolonial lens. You can see some deliberate differences or antithesis that are highlighted in order to create distinction between Europeans and the Oriental "other" in such works. The first antithesis is that between Rationality and Spirituality. Europeans are almost always masters of materialist logic and rationality, which reflects post-enlightenment views of themselves. In contrast, the Orient is often shown to be more in touch with spirituality and magic like how we see some Oriental characters in Kipling's Kim and Mark of the Beast. Prospero while living in the wild island away from civilization harnesses magic and spirits at the start while he was still vengeful and discards them when he lets go of his grudges and rejoins European civilization after leaving the island. The island itself is symbolic of another common colonial antithesis that is between European Civilization and the alien wilderness of the Orient that threatens to render even the rational and civilized white man into a savage.

[@shakespeareplaybyplay]

That's a really good point. Thank you for sharing.

[@Anya82285]

It was a great video! Thank you for making it.

[@shakespeareplaybyplay]

It was my pleasure

[@calmarsden8692]

Amazing analysis, helped so much with my essay. Thank you so much

[@shakespeareplaybyplay]

You're very welcome. Glad I could help

[@yutika_damini]

Much appreciated ❤ I've my semester soon. This is clearly my life saver ✨

[@shakespeareplaybyplay]

Thank you! Share it with your classmates

[@JenniferLaxtonCHS]

Thank you for this insightful video and the comment about women and Miranda in the middle. Isn't Miranda (and all women, sadly, in this world) one more possession (in addition to land, money, etc.) for men to fight over and assert dominance over one another with? You mention that Shakespeare complicates this notion, and I agree. I would love to see a video on this play and the intersection of feminist theory and post-colonial theory.

[@shakespeareplaybyplay]

Thank you for this thoughtful comment. It comes as I'm editing a script about Romeo and Juliet and gender roles which makes a similar point.

[@mariamustansir1415]

Thanks! Good video

[@shakespeareplaybyplay]

Glad you liked it!

[@yesicasobalvarro-rodriguez8320]

Fantastic analysis

[@shakespeareplaybyplay]

Thank you. I worked really hard on it and had help from a professor Emeritus named Margo Hendricks. She's brilliant.

[@Gimureii]

Such an underrated video :/ Greetings from Italy!

[@shakespeareplaybyplay]

Right back at ya. Greetings from Italy

[@Gimureii]

​@@shakespeareplaybyplay No way!!

[@shakespeareplaybyplay]

Just like Prospero

[@hannah-q9h]

Thanks so much, a very interpratative question ~ how would you describe shakspears intended perception of prospero and caliblan. With intent to stir thought? with intent to represent his or another outlook on British colinization? Or perhaps it had an unintended impact on views of colonialism and the intial intention was baised on power and european culture?

[@shakespeareplaybyplay]

To be honest, I don't think too much about Shakespeare's intentions. He didn't leave behind any letters or diaries, so it's not knowable. In fact, even if we did have an interview, I'm not sure anyone can fully understand their own intentions. Searching for intention will forever be fruitless. Instead, I like to think of Shakespeare as a thoughtful observer of his world. His characters are never simple, the way people are never simple, and there is always a way to find sympathy for ever character in every position. You can find a way to love Prospero and Caliban. By studying these plays, we get insight into pre-imperialist England in all its complexity by a kind and thoughtful observer of humanity.

[@hannah-q9h]

Thats a great view and a great way of putting it! Thanks so much, really love you’re videos!​@@shakespeareplaybyplay