William Shakespeare’s The Tempest stands adjacent to other masterpieces of literature by being recognized and appreciated as one of the most significant pieces of literature, having the power to influence postcolonial criticism globally. The play’s setting is on a remote, secluded island where the main character dances with the concepts of power, colonization, and leadership amplified through magical charms and spells. Ferdinand and Miranda, who are seen as prospective rulers, portray uncertainty about how they would lead the island during the colonization process. Our essay will focus on the probable set of rules of Ferdinand and Miranda through the postcolonialist perspective that will be used to analyze their characters and backgrounds, if any. When they study the colonial context, where they use strategies of domination over those they command, we consider the complicated rules on what they think about domination and colonization. Additionally, by analyzing this, we will unveil Shakespeare’s intricate representation of rule and its connection to the understanding of how colonial processes take shape as depicted in The Tempest.
In The Tempest, Ferdinand is a character who is a product of his royal blood and the comfortable, privileged upbringing that bestows him with a superiority complex and power. As the son of the King of Naples, Ferdinand enters the island, already bearing an impending right of authority and dominance. In his dealings with other characters, especially Prospero and Miranda, we get an idea about the style of leadership that he will explore. The part where Ferdinand first meets Prospero, with whom he has done some laborious tasks, reflects his readiness to withstand hardships to win Miranda’s hand. This tests his determination, showing that he is ready for leadership. In Ferdinand’s postcolonial re-assessment, he is not merely a figurehead of the colonizers imposing power on the local islanders. The quote, “Wherefore weep you?” (Act 1, Scene 2), by Ferdinand to Miranda, expresses his empathetic nature and his wish to sympathize with other people. Such a gesture signals Ferdinand’s readiness to deal with the colonies’ inhabitants with understanding and sensitivity, signalling a possibility of a sensitive and kind governing style. The character of Ferdinand represents the power structures and imperialism that Shakespeare questions with an inquiry into the left-hand side of effective colonization, not just by authority but also by understanding and compassion.
The Tempest’s main character, Miranda, who is presented as the daughter of Prospero, has been shaped by her isolation on the island. Since Miranda has been brought up in isolation, what she thinks about power and authority is shaped by her father’s directions and a lack of knowledge about the external environment. Being sheltered creates her charming naivety and innocence, but simultaneously, it makes her moral compass strong and compassionate about herself (Shakespeare, 1915). Despite Miranda’s inexperience, she profoundly understands social hierarchies and injustice, as highlighted in her interactions with the shipwrecked men. With the help of the postcolonial theory, Miranda’s double role as both a colonizer, who is linked with Prospero, and a colonized, who lives on the island and is subjected to Prospero’s authority, will be explored. A poignant quote from Miranda encapsulates her perspective on colonization: “O, I have suffered / With those that I saw suffer!” (Act 1, Scene 2). This manifests through her pitying others, demonstrating the possibility of her being a fair and equal ruler. This passage emphasizes the human face of Miranda, who feels for the unprivileged and shows a desire to eliminate social inequalities and promote equality. In the character of Miranda, Shakespeare brings up the thorny matter of power dynamics and colonialism, and he emphasizes the significant part of humanity and mutual help in governing.
Though Ferdinand and Miranda share love and bond and ultimately get married, they have different backgrounds and perceptions representing their possible headship styles. Ferdinand’s displacement as a princely being makes him feel superior and, consequently, entitled. At the same time, Miranda, who has been isolated from other people on the island, learns about empathy and injustice in society. Their perspectives on colonialism, which reflect their respective life experiences, differ: Ferdinand is the colonizer, whereas Miranda embodies a unique position of being both a colonizer and the colonized. Through the loving union of two distinct individuals, they may be the foundation of a qualified collaboration based on Miranda’s empathy and Ferdinand’s diplomacy. However, their unique backgrounds and stories are why they are unlikely to fully get along with one another during their time ruling (Bhambra & Newell., 2022). Being the epitome of postcolonial theory, their probable ruling styles reinforce the complexity of hybridity and identity as they are the ones who conquer and are conquered. However, their leadership style and joint rulership approach have positive and negative effects (Shakespeare, 1915). On the one hand, it is empathic and diplomatic, but on the other hand, it is often characterized by conflicts and power struggles within the society. After all, how they will manage their differences and work together will give out the results of their rule concerning colonization.
In conclusion, the investigation of Ferdinand and Miranda’s possible emerging leadership styles reveals an extensive network of subtleties surrounding leadership in the context of colonization in The Tempest. Postcolonial theory is embedded in their characters because the writer reaffirms power dynamics, depicts oppression, and showcases identity themes. These varying backgrounds and perspectives provide advantages and disadvantages in the perplexed issues of inter-colonial relations. Along the progression of the play, the two forms of ruling styles of Julius and’s lieutenant, James II, reflect a broader analysis of colonization and leadership. After all, the play invites us to reflect on the subtleties of rulership and domination. Therefore, it makes us ponder how long-lasting the power of dominion would remain in Shakespeare’s masterpiece.
Bhambra, G. K., & Newell, P. (2022). More than a metaphor:‘climate colonialism in perspective. Global Social Challenges Journal, 1(aop), 1-9. https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/gsc/view/journals/gscj/2/2/article-p179.xml
Shakespeare, W. (1915). The Tempest, by William Shakespeare. Macmillan. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=vKs7AAAAYAAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=the+tempest+by+william+shakespeare&ots=3V2bih4i_I&sig=wG1L-n-MluYkfdA7plX5Bxail-4