Here are some specific ways in which Prospero's treatment of Caliban parallels practices of colonization:
1. Domination and Enslavement: Prospero dominates and enslaves Caliban, forcing him to work as his servant and carry out his commands. This mirrors the way colonizing powers have enslaved and forced indigenous peoples to work for their benefit.
2. Cultural Suppression: Prospero attempts to suppress Caliban's culture and language, replacing them with his own. This parallels the cultural suppression that indigenous populations have often experienced under colonizers, who have sought to impose their own cultural norms and practices.
3. Dehumanization: Prospero dehumanizes Caliban, referring to him as a "slave" and a "savage." Colonizers have often dehumanized indigenous peoples, using derogatory language and stereotypes to justify their oppression and exploitation.
4. Exploitation of Resources: Prospero exploits the resources of the island for his own benefit, without regard for Caliban's rights or needs. This reflects the way colonizing powers have exploited the natural resources of colonized regions for their own economic gain.
By drawing parallels between Prospero's treatment of Caliban and practices of colonization, "The Tempest" invites its audience to reflect on the injustices and power dynamics inherent in colonization and to question the ethics of such practices.