After reading Acts 2 and 3 from the Tempest I soon came to realize the similarities between Caliban and the Natives. Caliban was a free man until Prospero came to the island. Caliban taught Prospero everything of the island and he taught him to speak and learn how to survive on the island. After all this gaining of information Prospero had the knowledge to gain control of Caliban and take over his island. It is just like when the Europeans came here and the Native Americans taught them everything there was to know of how to survive and learn their culture the Europeans felt as though they need to civilize the Native Americans to regain power.
I believe that Shakespeare is not taking a side because he shows the sympathy on both sides. He showed both sides just like how the Natives would have a different story from the Europeans. For example, although we may feel empathy for Caliban for losing his island, he does and says things such as "he used witchcraft to steal this island. He stole it from me." Although Prospero may see like a bad guy Caliban is just as bad. I'm not picking sides but it seems quite right to me. Another thing is that while Gonzalo was sleeping, Antonio and Sebastian were plotting to kill him while he was asleep. Ariel sang, "While you lie here snoring men are plotting against you." This shows that Shakespeare show both side sympathy. In addition to that Caliban somewhat signifies the stereotype of the "Others". In the postcolonialism packet the "Others" are known as those that "conform and be quiet; deny yourself, and all will be well "(234). Caliban signifies the Others because Caliban asked Stephano to help but was pleading and begging him in a way that made Stephano feel bad for Caliban and he gave himself to Stephano in order for him to help himself.
The video clip was really good. It helped me see their side of the story compares to the white mans story. This opened up my eyes because there has always been a one side story.
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