“A Tempest” by Aimee Césaire

“A Tempest” by Aimee Césaire

“The Tempest” is one of the finest plays written by William Shakespeare. In the late sixteenth century a French playwright translated with little changes.

Aime cesaire’s version of the play is regarded as earlier text in postcolonial studies. In translating the text the center of the earlier play goes to the periphery and periphery becomes the center.

In “A tempest” Caliban and Ariel are in the center.

Though the plot and story and structure are same in both the play, there are differences in Césaire’s version. Some slight changes gives new voice to characters as well as the play also.

Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” clearly describes the colonial perspective of the play. Caliban and Ariel has no voice and Prospero goes back at the end of the play.

In cesaire’s paly we find that subaltern has voice against prospero.

For example:-

Prospero:- What would you do without me?

Caliban:- Without you I am the king of the Island

When prospero suggests Caliban that we will be stay together.

Caliban saya, “Uhruuu….!”

It is a native word which means freedom only.

Though caliban has chance to get freedom, but he allows Prospero to live on island. This decision can be seen in two ways.

1.) It can be said that by allowing prospero to live on island. Caliban proves himself to be subjugated.

2.) It suggests mutual understanding and co-existence among the races.

Difference between “A Tempest” and “The tempest”

“A Tempest”	“The Tempest”
Aime cesaire	William Shakespeare
Caliban – Black Slave	Caliban – Half Human/ Half animal
Ariel- Mullato	Ariel- Spirit
Powerful	Weak
Obedient	Disobedient