Position Paper

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101

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English

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Jan 9, 2024

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Bernard 1 Cheyanne Bernard English 101 Professor Vaughn 11/1/2023 Position Paper In examining the works of William Shakespeare and Sophie Fahey, this paper argues that both plays examine the characters, language, and dramatic devices employed by the playwrights to convey the complexities of the themes of voice and power. In both William Shakespeare's “The Tempest” and Aimé Césaire's “Une Tempête”, the theme of voice and power is woven into the fabric of both plays, serving as a lens through which the dynamics of colonialism, authority, and resistance are explored. The comparison of these two texts allows for a deeper understanding of how voice and power are portrayed in the context of colonization and supremacy. The Tempest possesses the character, Prospero, a magician as well as the rightful Duke of Milan, who holds a position of supremacy on the island where the play is set. His manipulation of the natural and supernatural forces on the island, as well as his control over the other characters, embodies the indication of power in the play. Prospero's treatment of Caliban, the native spirit of the island, further highlights the dynamics of overthrowing and taking over. Caliban is depicted as being stripped of his voice and agency, relegated to a position of servitude and submission to Prospero.[ CITATION Cli23 \l 1033 ] Contrarily, in Une Tempête, Césaire reimagines the character of Caliban as a symbol of colonial resistance and the suppressed voices

Bernard 2 Cheyanne Bernard English 101 Professor Vaughn 11/1/2023 of the colonized. Through the character of Caliban, Césaire challenges the traditional power dynamics existing in The Tempest, presenting a counter-narrative that amplifies the voice of the disempowered minorities. The portrayal of Caliban in Une Tempête serves as a powerful critique of colonialism and the dehumanizing effects of the conquers, giving voice to the silenced and oppressed. It should be noted, the use of language in both plays serves as a crucial element in the exploration of voice and power. In The Tempest, Prospero's command over language and his ability to manipulate and control through his use of spells and magic reflects the assertion of power through expressive meaning. Furthermore, the contrast between Prospero's expressive and authoritative speech and Caliban's more ancient language accentuates the power struggles between the colonizer and the colonized. In Une Tempête, Césaire subverts the power dynamics of language by giving a voice to Caliban and allowing him to express his resistance and power through his speech. The use of language in Césaire's play becomes a tool of empowerment for the unrepresented minorities, enabling them to declare their identity and challenge the authority imposed by the colonizers. Through the sabotage of language, Césaire highlights the potential for linguistic empowerment as a means of resistance against colonial oppression. In Sophie Fahey's essay, 'Voice and Power in William Shakespeare's The Tempest and Aimé Césaire's Une Tempête,' she skillfully evaluates the rhetorical structure of voice and agency in these two plays.

Bernard 3 Cheyanne Bernard English 101 Professor Vaughn 11/1/2023 Fahey delves into the ways in which both Shakespeare and Césaire utilize language and dialogue to give voice to their characters and explore complex power dynamics. She examines how Shakespeare's Prospero exercises his authority through his control over language, manipulating others through his eloquence. [ CITATION Phi10 \l 1033 ] In particular, the characters of Ariel and Sycorax in The Tempest and Une Tempête also play significant roles in the exploration of voice and power. Ariel, the spirit bound to serve Prospero, represents a complex interplay of obedience and influence. While Ariel is obligated to perform Prospero's commands, the spirit also seeks discharge and freedom, highlighting the variation of power and servitude within the context of the play. In Une Tempête, Sycorax, the original resident of the island, and mother of Caliban, is given a more prominent voice and expression in Césaire's representation of the narrative. [ CITATION Ame22 \l 1033 ] By amplifying Sycorax's presence and influence, Césaire challenges the patriarchal power structures present in The Tempest and provides a counter-narrative that disrupts traditional colonial representations of gender and power. Sycorax becomes a symbol of resistance and resilience, embodying the voice of the oppressed and subverting the dominant power structures of the play.

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Bernard 4 Cheyanne Bernard English 101 Professor Vaughn 11/1/2023 Along with this, the use of theatrical devices and symbolism in both plays further enhances the exploration of voice and power. In The Tempest, the tempest itself serves as a powerful symbol of disarray and transformation, reflecting the disruptive nature of power and voice. The magical elements of the play, including Prospero's spells and illusions, contribute to the portrayal of power as a force that can be manipulated and subverted through supernatural means. In Une Tempête, Césaire employs theatrical devices such as the use of masks and symbolic imagery to convey the complexities of power and resistance.[ CITATION Rup14 \l 1033 ] The symbolic significance of the storm and the use of masks as a metaphor for the masking of true intentions and identities add layers of meaning to the exploration of voice and power in the play. Through these theatrical devices, Césaire's adaptation not only exposes the deceptive nature of colonialism but also highlights the power dynamics at play. Through the character of Caliban, Césaire portrays the resistance against Prospero's control and subjugation, giving voice to the marginalized and oppressed. By amplifying these themes, Césaire challenges the audience to question existing power structures and encourages them to resist oppressive forces in their own lives. Césaire amplifies the themes of deception and resistance, providing a complex portrayal of power dynamics within the context of colonialism. Sophie Fahey argues that both Shakespeare and Césaire use the concept of voice to examine and challenge traditional power structures. In The Tempest, Fahey contends that Prospero's control over others through his magical abilities represents a form of oppressive

Bernard 5 Cheyanne Bernard English 101 Professor Vaughn 11/1/2023 power, while Caliban's struggle for agency and self-expression highlights the marginalized voices in society. Similarly, in Une Tempête, Césaire presents a postcolonial perspective, where the character of Caliban represents the voice of the colonized, challenging the authority of Prospero as a symbol of colonial power. Ultimately, Césaire's central claim is that voice is intimately connected to power, and by reclaiming their voices, marginalized individuals can challenge and subvert the existing power dynamics. Fahey asserts that both plays shed light on the complex relationship between voice and power, emphasizing the importance of agency and self-expression in resisting oppressive systems. In Sophie Fahey's essay, 'Voice and Power in William Shakespeare's The Tempest and Aimé Césaire's Une Tempête,' she skillfully evaluates the rhetorical structure of voice and agency in these two plays. Fahey delves into the ways in which both Shakespeare and Césaire utilize language and dialogue to give voice to their characters and explore complex power dynamics. She examines how Shakespeare's Prospero exercises his authority through his control over language, manipulating others through his eloquence.

Bernard 6 Cheyanne Bernard English 101 Professor Vaughn 11/1/2023 In conclusion, while both plays explore the theme of voice and power, William Shakespeare's The Tempest and Aimé Césaire's Une Tempête reveals the multifaceted nature of colonialism, authority, and resistance. Through the characters, Césaire's adaptation provides a more explicit critique of power structures, making it a more politically charged interpretation of The Tempest. Language and dramatic devices are also employed in both plays. The complexities of power dynamics and the overthrow of dominant beliefs are brought to the forefront, offering a rich ground for comparative analysis. The reimagining of the narrative in Une Tempête provides a powerful critique of colonial power structures and amplifies the voices of the marginalized and oppressed, challenging traditional representations of voice and power. By delving into the nuances of these themes, a deeper understanding of the complexities of colonialism and resistance is achieved. Works Cited Crispin, Philip. 2010. A Tempestuous Translation: Aimé Césaire’s Une tempête. Accessed November 11, 2023. https://journals.openedition.org/itineraires/1746?lang=en. Editors, American Shakespeare Center. 2022. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT UNE TEMPÊTE. November 4. Accessed November 11, 2023. https://americanshakespearecenter.com/2022/11/everything-you-need-to-know-about- une-tempete/. Editors, Cliff Notebooks. 2023. Themes In The Tempest. Accessed November 11, 2023. https://cliffnotebooks.com/themes-in-the-tempest/.

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Bernard 7 Cheyanne Bernard English 101 Professor Vaughn 11/1/2023 Mukherjee, Rupsha. 2014. A comparative study between Shakespeare's Tempest and Cesaire's Une Tempete. April 9. Accessed November 11, 2023. https://www.academia.edu/7297947/A_comparative_study_between_Shakespeares_Temp est_and_Cesaires_Une_Tempete.

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