Sexuality In The Tempest Essay, Research Paper

Shakespeare brings up sexuality quite often through the play. Since the play is male-dominated, it seems that very time a female is brought into the plot, sexuality is discussed. The first time this theme is mentioned is when Caliban attemps to rape Prospero’s daughter, Miranda. Caliban was son of the witch, Sycorax, who formerly ruled the island. Prospero and Miranda used to treat Caliban nicely, but they were rude to him ever since the attempted rape. This is an example of aggressive sexuality. Also, when he agrees with Miranda and Ferdinand’s marriage he seems to almost threaten Ferdinand. He basically tells him that they hav his blessing unless they have premarital sex in which case he wishes them bad. As stated, sexuality is a strong concept which Shakespeare continuously brings up in The Tempest.