4. William Shakespeare's "The Temptress"

Let’s break down William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and colonialism (Part IV), focusing on Gonzalo’s vision of an ideal commonwealth (Act 2, Scene 1), intersections with Michel de Montaigne’s essay "On the Cannibals," and the broader tradition of utopia within the play.

1. Gonzalo’s Vision of an Ideal Commonwealth (Act 2, Scene 1)

In Act 2, Scene 1 of The Tempest, Gonzalo shares his vision of a perfect society with his companions. He imagines a utopia, a place of harmony, where:

• No private property exists — everyone shares everything.

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

• No work is necessary — everything is provided naturally.

• No labor or injustice — the natural world provides everything the inhabitants need, and there is no need for laws, as people will naturally behave in a virtuous way.

This utopian vision is in stark contrast to the world of colonialism and imperialism in the play. It reflects an idealized state that doesn't fit within the hierarchical, exploitative systems of the time (or in Prospero's own established order). Gonzalo's vision of a "perfect" commonwealth reflects an alternative to colonial systems, one that is peaceful, equal, and free of ownership and greed. His vision, however, is naive and impractical, as it is immediately criticized by his companions, who point out the flaws and impracticality of such an ideal.

2. Gonzalo and Michel de Montaigne’s "On the Cannibals"

The themes of Gonzalo’s vision intersect with Michel de Montaigne’s "On the Cannibals", a famous essay written in 1580. Montaigne's essay reflects on the native peoples of Brazil, whom Europeans at the time often referred to as "savages" or "cannibals." Montaigne challenges the European view, suggesting that these so-called "savages" live a life of virtue and simplicity, and that their society might actually be more moral and natural than that of Europeans.

In Montaigne's view:

• European society is corrupt, decadent, and overly complex, filled with war, greed, and the pursuit of power.

• Native societies (like those described by Montaigne) are free from these corruptions. They live closer to nature, without private property or excessive material wealth. They are seen as noble savages, not because they are uncivilized, but because they are closer to the "natural" state of humanity.

Gonzalo’s utopia shares this same critique of European society, and there are clear parallels between Gonzalo's idealized commonwealth and Montaigne’s description of the nobility of "savages." Both envision a world where natural resources and equality reign, untainted by the corruption of European social structures.

3. The Tradition of Utopia: Different Types of Utopias

The concept of utopia has evolved over time, and Shakespeare’s play interacts with various strands of utopian thinking. Let’s explore two main strands of utopian thought:

a. The Utopia of the Body / The Utopia of Escape

This strand of utopian thought focuses on escape from societal constraints and the physical beauty of nature. It often involves:

• Hesiod's Golden Age: An ancient Greek vision of a time before civilization, where humans lived in peace with nature, without the need for laws or war.

• Virgil’s and Ovid’s Arcadia: Both poets describe a pastoral, idyllic land where shepherds live harmoniously with nature, free from the corruption of civilization.

• The Land of Cockayne: A mythical land where food grows in abundance and everyone is free of toil and struggle. It is a dreamlike place, a place of abundance and leisure.

In the context of The Tempest, Gonzalo’s ideal commonwealth echoes this utopia of the body, one in which people live in peace with nature, free from the burdens of work and societal hierarchies. The island itself, where nature provides everything, could also be seen as embodying this utopian vision.

b. The Utopia of Social Organization

The second strand is more focused on the organization of society and often features:

• Lycurgus’s Sparta: An ancient society based on discipline, equality, and military strength. Lycurgus’s laws were designed to create a just, orderly society.

• Plato's Republic: In his work, Plato describes an ideal society governed by philosopher-kings, where each individual performs the role for which they are best suited, creating harmony and justice.

• Sir Thomas More’s Utopia: The most famous use of the term “utopia,” More’s island of Utopia presents a society where property is communal, religion is tolerant, and every citizen is equal and free from the social ills of Europe at the time. It’s a detailed vision of an idealized, rationally ordered society.

This strand of utopia emphasizes social and political organization as the path to creating an ideal society. It reflects a more practical vision of utopia, one focused on structure, law, and order.

4. Utopian Thinking in The Tempest

In The Tempest, Shakespeare seems to engage with both utopian traditions:

• Gonzalo’s ideal commonwealth aligns more with the utopia of the body, where nature provides and people live in harmony without the need for laws, property, or power struggles.

• However, there are also elements of the utopia of social organization within the play, particularly in the dynamics between the characters. Prospero’s control over the island and his eventual resolution of conflicts through power and social manipulation reflects more structured, organized visions of society. Even though Gonzalo proposes a simpler utopia, the colonial dynamics of the play ultimately question the practicality and sustainability of such an idealized world.

Conclusion

In summary, Shakespeare's The Tempest and its exploration of colonialism are deeply connected to utopian thought. Gonzalo's vision of an ideal commonwealth reflects a utopian escape from the complexities and corruptions of European society, in line with Montaigne's critique of European colonial attitudes. The play offers a critique of colonial structures and imagines a simpler, more harmonious world, while also engaging with the idea of social organization through Prospero’s manipulation of power and order. This tension between different utopian ideals — one based on the escape to a simpler, natural life and the other on a structured, organized society — mirrors the complex and often contradictory nature of colonialism itself.