Between the 16th and 17th centuries, one of the most significant events in the history of humanity occurred: European colonialism. Thanks to the progress of Renaissance science, Europeans set out to discover new territories for mainly economic purposes. There they discover new populations with different norms and values. As Montaigne would say: everyone calls barbarism what is not useful to them. Under the pretext of enlightenment and spiritual education, which in reality is ethnocentrism, entire peoples are uprooted and persecuted. It is in this context that Shakespeare wrote his five-act play around 1610: The Tempest. We feel in his work the influence of this colonial society which can be seen in two different ways. Therefore, Shakespeare in Act 1 and Act 2 of his play The Tempest does not criticize colonialism very clearly but treats it ambiguously. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayIn fact, Shakespeare was writing in a time when slavery was considered legitimate and above all necessary for the economy. Readers of the time expect to read a story that conforms to their image of the colonies. This is why, upon first reading the first two acts, a rather favorable vision of colonialism emerges. First of all, the character of Caliban is very important to understand this ambiguous theme. It symbolizes primitive man who lived on the earth before Europeans discovered it. One of the main arguments used to justify slavery is the fact that these are savage people without any principles. He will even try to rape Miranda, the noble white princess: "until you tried to violate my daughter's honor." The periphrase used by Prospero to talk about his daughter's virginity tries to highlight Caliban's lack of honor. Furthermore, the use of the term 'child' rather than 'daughter' accentuates the monstrous and wild side of Sycorax's son, ready to have sex with a young girl. Furthermore, this very pejorative image of the slave is all the more contrasted by Ferdinand's character. The son of the king of Naples is characterized by great respect for European customs. The first condition for the union between him and Miranda is: “if you are a virgin”. The natives did not have a rigid morality like the Western one, for the society of the time this corresponded to an unchaste mind. On the other hand, Shakespeare seems to insist on the fundamentally evil nature of the native population. If the colonists present us with primitive men, evil and incapable of discerning good from evil, it is impossible for the reader to feel pity for them. Trinculo denounces the always provocative behavior of natives like Caliban: "When God sleeps, he steals his bottle." By the divine metaphor "god" refers to the omnipotent white man in general. This phrase almost sounds like a saying: no matter how good you are to him, the savage knows no recognition. Finally, this very pejorative image of natives is reinforced by the constant assumption that they are not even human. Caliban is in fact much criticized by Prospero due to his much demonized ancestry: "taken by the devil himself upon your wicked mother" "A freckled puppy born of a witch - not honored with a human form". He accuses him of being the son of the allegory of evil: the devil himself. So, to say that with such parents he cannot be a good person. The already preconceived opinion of all these characters serves to show readers that slavery is justified in the face of such hateful and evil people. Shakespeare's view of colonialism comes close to medieval Aristotelianism, which it is often used to justifysuch a process. In fact, according to Aristotle every being had a defined purpose at birth, a temos, some beings were made to be dominated. Added to this is the fact that the Church considered foreigners as sinners whom it was their duty to bring back to the right path. It was only after the Valladolid controversy that they were considered human beings to be treated properly. Aristotelianism is most evident when Caliban says to Stephen, “I will show you every fertile inch of the island. And I will kiss your foot." Despite the fact that trusting Prospero led him to a sad end, he made the same mistake again. He seems incapable of judgment and caution, which shows that his deepest nature is that of being under the guidance of a master. Finally, to show the positive contribution of colonialism, the playwright presents the European nobles in a favorable light, that of the savior and the benefactor. This time it's Ariel who's taken charge. Being Prospero's slave, he asks him to restore his freedom, to which he replies: "Do you forget from what torment I freed you?" Miranda's father poses as a savior. He wants to show that although being his slave is not an ideal condition, what he had to face before was much worse. The kingdom of Sycorax may represent the old order that Europeans considered barbaric, but theirs is no less barbaric. Furthermore, Miranda, who is a very wise and good character, seems to lack empathy for Caliban. In his great colonial kindness, he still tried to help that poor savage: "I pitied you, I took the trouble to make you talk." So, in a way, we can say that Shakespeare seems to be in favor of colonialism. He presents us with a savage figure, Caliban, who seems without principles, kindness and judgment. Furthermore, he describes the European nobles as the saviors of those ignorant natives. However, if we look closer, it seems that Shakespeare's view of colonialism is not so traditional. If we read these two acts from a more modern point of view and keeping in mind the fact that colonization is not a justifiable action, we discover a new meaning. Despite what one might think at first glance, examining the character of Caliban more closely reveals that he is a man quite capable of judgment and gifted with an enlightened mind. The phrase: "This island is mine, by Sycorax, my mother, that you take from me." he is very interesting. First of all, he uses a sophisticated language that has nothing to envy of the other characters. Furthermore, he is capable of being clear about the situation and claims the right to enjoy his property. Despite the great influence and fear he has for Prospero, he analyzes the situation and expresses his opinion about it. On the other hand, he claims possession of the island because it belonged to his mother, so Caliban is aware of the notion of inheritance and kinship. Finally, Shakespeare takes this opportunity to remind us that during colonization, territories are stolen and not acquired in a logical way. At the end of the second act the son of Sycorax joyfully sings these words: “Freedom, good morning”. The author highlights the fact that colonization is actually a suppression of freedom for slaves and not an opportunity. Furthermore, the notion of freedom is very complex and is very important for European intellectuals of the time. Caliban was therefore a man like many others who only wanted freedom in an oppressive society. Gonzalo, on the other hand, is the one who must best embody the author's opinion. He is definitely the wisest, most benevolent and intelligent character. In fact, he is the only Italian nobleman to have Prospero's grace in his eyes: “A Neapolitan nobleman, Gonzalo, for goodness' sake”. When he arrived on the island, he told his companions how the island would be organized if he were king.:10.2307/2871148.