Compare and contrast Shakespeare and Defoe's presentations of the characters of Robinson Crusoe and Prospero as omnipotent rulers in their respective societies in their works 'Robinson Crusoe' and 'The Tempest'

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Compare and contrast Shakespeare and Defoe’s presentations of the characters of Robinson Crusoe and Prospero as omnipotent rulers in their respective societies in their works ‘Robinson Crusoe’ and ‘The Tempest’

Throughout Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ and Defoe’s ‘Robinson Crusoe’, the protagonists’ roles as omnipotent rulers change dramatically. In this essay, I aim to compare and contrast Crusoe and Prospero’s roles as rulers, specifically focusing on their relationships with others through which their omnipotence is demonstrated.

As much as Defoe’s ‘Robinson Crusoe’ is a story of survival against all odds and a spiritually fulfilling life lived in solitude, it also makes clear a person’s need for society, and in Crusoe’s case, the need to be a leader within the societal structure of the 17th Century world. Defoe clearly defines Crusoe as ruler of his island’s society. However, even before he is shipwrecked, Crusoe exercises power and authority, the tendencies of a ruler, over his fellow men. Most noticeable is Crusoe’s exploitation of slavery. Slavery was a key component of society within the British Empire and is first found in the novel when Crusoe himself is enslaved, “kept by the captain.” Upon escaping, Crusoe – despite his disgust at his “miserable” enslavement – bends a slave-boy, Xury, to his will by force after briefly considering drowning him. He offers the boy a choice; to either “be faithful” to him or to be thrown over-board.

Crusoe’s immediate assumption of power over Xury tells us three things about rulers within the social hierarchy that Defoe was a component of. Firstly, due to Xury’s foreign descent, Crusoe, an English man, considers himself instantly to be the master. Secondly, Crusoe’s maturity granted him ownership of the boy despite the fact that they were both slaves. Lastly, Crusoe believed the boy to owe him a life-debt due to Crusoe’s planning and initiation of their escape. Crusoe goes as far to consider that Xury may not be deserving of such slavery, calling him a “better counselor” than himself. Further more, Xury notifies Crusoe of, “a lance”, among the people they spot on their travels. Even though this observation may have prevented a life-threatening situation, Crusoe is proudly omnipotent as never in thought, word or deed gives thanks to Xury; though he recognizes the good advice, and keeps a safe distance. Crusoe, in accustom with his society, treats slaves as little other than possessions, even though a reader would expect sympathy from a man who has experienced slavery first-hand. Even when he is no longer permitted to trade in slaves publicly, he embarks on a secret voyage to kid-nap his “equal share” of “negroes”. Defoe presents Crusoe as a man who it seems will go to any extent to greaten his rule over others. He possesses a birth-given right to power in Defoe’s society, owned by all white, imperialist peoples as well as those with wealth and seniority.

Slavery featured no less in the society in which Shakespeare wrote ‘The Tempest’, thus it is also found within the play. Just as Crusoe is established by Defoe as a master of others, Shakespeare’s play features a protagonist, Prospero, possessing two slaves, Caliban and Ariel. Unlike Crusoe and Xury, it is not entirely through saving their lives however, that Prospero becomes a ruler. It is by the use of knowledge and also the art of magic that Prospero acquires, and overpowers, his slaves. Undisputedly, Prospero reigns supreme within the social hierarchy of ‘The Tempest’, and although Ariel and Caliban possess a more unique magic then their master, they are in his debt – as Xury is in Crusoe’s – and are his slaves until he sees fit to free them. Neither of them are as seemingly content with their enslavement as Defoe’s Xury is – Ariel begs for his freedom, reminding Prospero of the “worthy service” he has performed, how he has;

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“Told thee no lies, made thee no mistakings, serv’d

Without or grudge, or grumblings”.

Prospero’s response is remarkably similar to one that Crusoe would inevitably give if ever challenged, he reminds Ariel of the way in which he saved and freed him, “from what a torment”, and more terrible previous master, “The foul witch Sycorax”. Caliban’s rebellions are far less pleading and more insulting, cursing Prospero with, “wicked dew”. Prospero responds with punishment – an exertion, demonstration, and reminder of his omnipotent rule – causing Caliban to suffer;

“cramps, side-stiches, that shall pen thy breath up

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