4. William Shakespeare's "The Temptress"

Q: What is Gonzalo’s vision of an ideal commonwealth in The Tempest (Act 2, Scene 1)?

A: Gonzalo imagines a utopia where:

• No private property exists, everything is shared.

• There are no social classes, all people are equal.

• No work is necessary, as nature provides everything.

• There is no labor or injustice, and people behave virtuously without laws.

Q: How does Gonzalo's vision contrast with colonialism and imperialism in The Tempest?

A: Gonzalo’s ideal commonwealth is peaceful, equal, and free from ownership, in contrast to the hierarchical and exploitative systems of colonialism, which involve domination, greed, and power structures.

Q: How does Michel de Montaigne’s essay "On the Cannibals" relate to Gonzalo’s utopian vision?

A: Montaigne critiques European society, suggesting that native peoples live more simply and morally, without the corruption of property and war. Gonzalo's utopia mirrors this view, rejecting European excess and imagining a world based on natural harmony and equality.

Q: What is Montaigne’s critique of European society in "On the Cannibals"?

A: Montaigne argues that European society is corrupt, decadent, and overly complex, while native societies (whom Europeans called “savages”) live closer to nature and are more virtuous and morally pure.

Q: What are the two main strands of utopian thought discussed in The Tempest?

A:

1. Utopia of the Body / Utopia of Escape – Focuses on escape from societal constraints, emphasizing the physical beauty and harmony of nature.

2. Utopia of Social Organization – Focuses on organizing society through laws and structure, creating harmony through social and political organization.

Q: What are some examples of the Utopia of the Body / Utopia of Escape?

A:

• Hesiod’s Golden Age – A time of peace and harmony before civilization.

• Virgil’s and Ovid’s Arcadia – A pastoral land of harmony and simplicity.

• The Land of Cockayne – A mythical place of abundance and leisure.

Q: How does Gonzalo’s vision align with the Utopia of the Body?

A: Gonzalo’s ideal commonwealth echoes the Utopia of the Body as it envisions a world where people live in harmony with nature, free from work, laws, and social hierarchy.

Q: What are some examples of the Utopia of Social Organization?

A:

• Lycurgus’s Sparta – A disciplined, equality-based society.

• Plato’s Republic – A society governed by philosopher-kings and structured roles.

• Sir Thomas More’s Utopia – A society with communal property, religious tolerance, and equality.

Q: How does the Utopia of Social Organization differ from the Utopia of the Body?

A: The Utopia of Social Organization focuses on structure, law, and order, aiming to create a just society through social and political organization. In contrast, the Utopia of the Body emphasizes escape from societal constraints and the natural harmony of life without laws.

Q: How does The Tempest engage with both types of utopian thought?

A:

• Gonzalo’s ideal commonwealth aligns with the Utopia of the Body, emphasizing natural harmony and simplicity.

• Prospero’s control over the island and resolution of conflicts reflect the Utopia of Social Organization, suggesting a more structured, political approach to creating order.

Q: What is the central tension in The Tempest regarding utopian visions?

A: The tension between escaping to a simpler, natural life (Gonzalo’s vision) and creating a structured, organized society (Prospero’s manipulation of power and order) mirrors the contradictions of colonialism, which seeks both order and control over natural, untainted lands.

Q: How does The Tempest critique colonialism through its utopian themes?

A: The play critiques colonialism by imagining a simpler, more harmonious world (Gonzalo’s vision) while also engaging with the more organized and structured colonial system represented by Prospero’s rule, questioning the sustainability and morality of both ideals.