Post-Colonial Discourses in Shakespearean Plays

Postcolonialism examines the meanings present behind the obvious in literary texts by focusing on the context in which they were written and also trying to reveal the colonial ideologies hidden within the text. Canonical texts of Shakespeare which was circulated across the world were given special attention and different interpretation after the arrival of Postcolonial theory. It was a reaction against the western colonization of the east. To smoothen their work in colonies, they try to impose their language on the colonized people. Macaulay's “Minute on Indian Education” of 1835 emphasizes the need to impart English education to the Indians. Universities began to establish in India in 1857. It popularized Shakespeare in these countries. Shakespeare’s plays were used by postcolonial people as a discourse against colonies. Postcolonialism reads Shakespeare within the narrative of the Subaltern narrative by using the idea of the nation, gender, race, and class as the paradigms. Othello, The Merchant of Venice, Tempest, and Antony and Cleopatra are often considered the postcolonial plays of Shakespeare.
Othello includes many prejudices against moors. Moors/ Turkish people were treated as the enemies of Christians. In Othello, moors were described by using the phrases such as “Arabian trees,”” malignant and turbaned Turks” etc. It shows the attitude of Venetians towards moors. Whites had prejudices against blacks also evident in Othello. Western moral superiority and intellectual superiority were made colonial assumptions. They underestimated oriental culture and literature and they were more assertive about their policies. Shakespeare’s antisemitic behavior is implied in the play The Merchant of Venice. It is clear in the portrayal of Shylock as a Jew. Jew is often considered inferior by the Christians. The Tempest was widely criticized because of its underlying colonial ideology. It was written in the period of geographical explorations and colonization. In the Postcolonial reading of the play Prospero the hero of Shakespeare attained the role of villain and Caliban is considered the victim of Prospero’s colonization. In the play, Prospero used his magic to control Caliban. Here guests became the master of the house. Caliban is Subjugated by Prospero in The Tempest. The postcolonial reading is treated as the subjugated culture's reaction to the colonization. Colonizers also promoted scientific racism. By using the pseudoscience of phrenology, they defined the skull of a negro as uncivilized. Prospero does not even consider Caliban as a human. He also tries to impose his language upon him. All characters in this play are portrayed as the puppet of Prospero, who is considered the colonial master. Antony and Cleopatra illustrate the difference between east and west. It can also be read within the context of the idea of the nation. The west always considered the east as an inferior other. The play also conveys the stereotypical image of women in the east. All these plays of Shakespeare concealed the stereotypical perspective of the east by the west. Post-colonial discourses on Shakespearean plays read his plays within the context of their universal significance attributed to them and analyses the social context of their production. Post-colonialist reading of Shakespeare’s plays has paved a new way for understanding Shakespeare’s literature.
                                                                                                        Submitted by Adithya T T
                                                                                                          LEC052104

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