¶ … Tempest and "On Cannibals" have something to say to the emerging modern world order of the 16th century about non-Western peoples. What is Shakespeare trying to say about such peoples through the character of Caliban? What is Montaigne trying to say through the figure of the cannibal?
The Western Empire began to spread more through its use of knowledge than power. Through great explorations and intellectual predictions nations began to spread, conquering lands that lay beyond their borders and taking over people who were natives to these lands. The superiority of the West began to emerge and the concept of 'civilization' took a new form as the Western people invaded foreign lands, subjugating the natives with the notion of 'civilizing the savages'. It was considered a 'higher purpose', for the natives were seen as savages who had to be shown the path to knowledge and thus, salvation. The concept people of the times had of natives or foreigners was that they were all barbarians. No one could accept the intricate differences apparent between the nations of the West and those yet to develop and this led to a condemnation of the way of life of the foreigners.
Consider the words of MICHEL DE MONTAIGNE in his essay,...
' These words show the preconceived notions that were held by the Westerners for even as they invaded they saw their opponents as barbarians regardless of the fact that they had never seen them. The only fact that remained unclear in this case was 'what kind of barbarian' they were facing. This concept is further clarified with Montaigne when he says, " ... I find that there is nothing barbarous and savage in this nation, by anything that I can gather, excepting, that every one gives the title of barbarism to everything that is not in use in his own country." [Montaigne, 1580] These words show that Montaigne was of the belief that the West developed so rapidly and was so confined within its own borders during the time of development that it became impossible to accept that people of other nations could survive, be happy and consider themselves 'civilized' even if they did not wear breeches.
While Montaigne questioned the unfailing logic that the West held, William Shakespeare presented…
