takakichpt3watkins

In Takaki chapter three this writing discusses the 1618 William Shakespeare play of the tempest. This looks into the Tempest that was performed in London. The character of Caliban was seen as a character that was related to an African. This article discusses the beginning of Africans in England which may date back to 1554 when they were used as translators for English traders. Also this writing shows that in the early seventeenth century not only Africans but foreigners were seen as slaves. This includes German and Irish men that were seen as outcast. Many of these people did not begin as slaves but as servants who were in debt to wealthy English men for their travels into England. These people were originally just people who came with no families and were very poor. More into this chapter it shows how the English had very negative look on the Africans and their culture. They were seen as the devils children. The color black was seen as deeply strained with dirt, foul, dark, and even deadly. Caliban in the Tempest may have been African. Since he was seen as a monster, and dark. Besides Caliban historian Edward Topsell referred to Africans as beasts/apes. With their thin flat noses, and thick lips they are often seen as apes according to Topsell. In this chapter takaki explains the many forms of early century slavery but mainly how the English found the African race to be devilish members due to the fact that their skin is burned like their souls.
My opinion on the writing is that it shows many stereotypes. These come from early English ideas based on appearance, and skin tones. Originally many Africans were not seen as slaves but needed servants to repay there debt to wealthy owners. This writing shows many different aspects of how the English felt about this African culture. Takaki views reflect the many different aspects that even reflected to today’s ideas, beliefs, and even stereotypes. This reflection I see how many of the English believed in these ideas because the African race was so different and new to them. With not knowing about their ideas and beliefs it was easy for them to be seen as the devils due to the English’s culture, which was very religious at this time.