Critical Responses

Question 1

Mike Brett’s view on Caliban

Answer 1

“Caliban’s characterisation is clearly informed by Montaigne’s thinking and the audience is invited to consider how his upbringing influences his behaviour”

Question 2

Marjorie Garber’s view on Caliban

Answer 2

“Caliban exemplifies the dark but necessary part of every man”

Question 3

Thomson’s view on Prospero

Answer 3

“Prospero seems to claim he gave second birth to Miranda on the voyage to the island “

Question 4

Barbara Howard Traistor’s view on Prospero

Answer 4

“Prospero’s magic in the storm is pure illusion….to play tricks on men’s senses… Prospero’s magic leaves no permanent physical changes.”

Question 5

Critic Singh’s view on post colonialism

Answer 5

“Set in a colony- a prototype of a Caribbean or African setting- in the throes of resistance and unrest”

Question 6

Critic Singh’s view on the European civilising missions

Answer 6

“This mission assumed that the natives lacked any culture or formal language until the Europeans brought them the ‘gifts’ of western language and culture”

Question 7

Emma Smith’s view on magic

Answer 7

“Good and bad magic are troublingly similar”

Question 8

Auden Vaughan’s view on Caliban

Answer 8

“If Caliban is hero, Prospero is villain”

Question 9

Cesaire’s view on slavery

Answer 9

“The slave is always more important than his master- for it is the slave who makes history”