Anti-colonialism in Shakespeare's play The TempestThrough the play The Tempest, William Shakespeare weaves a tale characterized by anti-colonialist sentiments. Prospero – the deposed Duke of Milan – adopts a colonialist mentality by treating his colleagues as slaves without rights. Characters who suffer mistreatment under Prospero include: Ariel - the spirit creature; Ferdinand - the prince of Naples; and Caliban – the son of Sycorax. Prospero possesses many magical powers which he uses to oppress his countrymen. Therefore, Prospero is portrayed as a colonial tyrant who abuses his immense power. Anti-colonialist sentiments are particularly evident through the actions, statements, and dispositions of Caliban, Miranda, Ferdinand, and Ariel. To illustrate, Caliban reprimands Prospero for the former's forced labor. Likewise, Ariel protests against Prospero's reluctance to release the former as previously agreed. Miranda also expresses her displeasure at Prospero's unjust imprisonment of Ferdinand. Similarly, Ferdinand appears to challenge Prospero's authority by briefly stopping to flirt and chat with Miranda. The previous four characters exhibit conduct that highlights their dissatisfaction with Prospero's colonial-style authority over them. From the preceding discussion, we can therefore conclude that Shakespeare's play The Tempest speaks of anticolonialism based on its representation of the opposition of Caliban, Miranda, Ferdinand and Ariel to the oppressive authority of Prospero. To explain, after beaching Alonzo's ship, Ariel verbally demonstrates her opposition to Prospero's forced servitude, thus alluding to the anti-colonial nature of the play The Tempest. Believing that his master will release him a year early as agreed...... middle of paper ...... the statement is representative of the general theme of opposition to colonial authority. In summary, Shakespeare's play The Tempest explores the theme of opposition to Prospero's colonial-style authority, based on various characters' covert and overt reactions to the master's antics. For example, Ariel objects to Prospero's continued detention of the former, regardless of prior agreement to the contrary. Additionally, Caliban expresses his displeasure with the forced labor she performs for Prospero. To prove his opposition to Prospero's authority, Caliban plans the master's death. Miranda also makes a statement that indicates her dissatisfaction with the manner in which Prospero exercises his authority, particularly with regard to Ferdinand. Imprisoned Ferdinand also indicates his opposition to Prospero's power through a refutable statement made before Miranda..