Comparing Shakespeares Caliban to the African-American Essay -- Compa

Comparing Shakespeare's Caliban to the African-American Caliban, immediately introduced as "poisonous slave," "savage," "hag-seed," is a character often likened to the African- American slave. The ease and matter-of-factness with which Prospero and Miranda dismiss him is painfully obvious even before he enters the scene (Act 1, Scene 3). Through no fault of his own, Caliban is dehumanized by the authority of his day and dismissed by the important members of his society. He looks much different from the others on the island, so he is not seen as a true human being; in fact, his only redemption lies in the fact that he is able to learn the language in order to serve the master. The predicament in which the black American found himself undoubtedly resounded in painful familiarity to Shakespeare's Caliban, so it is quite understandable that writers would paint a picture of Caliban as the oppressed African- American slave. There are many similarities that African- Americans share with Caliban. One issue that bears remarkable similarities is the issue of identity. For the African- American, "Alienated from the world to which he is born and from the country of which he is a citizen, yet surrounded by the successful values of that world, and country, how can the Negro define himself?" (Penn, p.17) Caliban, while he was not taken from his homeland, his homeland was taken from him and ruled by people very different from him socially and physically. As a result, he was told that his appearance and way of life were unacceptable. Instead, he was forced to conform to a culture of which he could never truly be a part. One would imagine that Caliban's sense of ide ntity was severely jeopardized. Out of this idea falls anothe... ...e for the African- American. Now is the time for the black American to rise above victim status and excuses (valid though they may be) and take their place as productive, intelligent, respected members of society. Unlike Caliban, the African- American need not waste his time bemoaning his state. Yes, there were unimaginable injustices visited upon African- Americans in this country, but the past cannot be altered. Our young black men and women cannot be taught that past-- or even present injustice is an excuse for mediocrity. The world does not owe anyone anything, and therefore the black American must work hard-- maybe sometimes twice as hard-- to succeed; and in the end justice and equality will prevail. In this way, the African- American is nothing like Caliban. Injustice and oppression were his ruin; but for the African- American, it will become strength.