Conflicting Views Of John Locke And William Shakespeare On Nature And Nurture
Although the words “Nature” and “Nurture” sound very similar, they contain individual contrasting definitions. Nature can refer to the care of and encouragement of a person’s growth, while nurture can easily be described as inborn or heredity characteristics. These two dynamic words are center to the theme in Shakespeare's play the The Tempest. These two concepts were also of great importance to the philosopher John Locke. Shakespeare’s idea of nature being the most important aspect is primary.
John Locke quotes “ The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges everyone: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it”. Locke proclaims that our minds are blank when we are born and we are clearly untaught about the outside world. His words, “Nature is everything, Nurture is nothing”. In this case, while Shakespeare's beliefs are conflicting to Locke’s, Shakespeare would believe that Nurture is everything and Nature would be nothing. In the play the Tempest, Shakespeare's writing creates the contrasting nature and nurture and categorizes them into the characters.
As Prospero serving the role of the caregiver or in this case “father”, nurture is transferred down to the characters Miranda and Ariel. Prospero essentially helped these characters grow up on the abandoned island they came about to. For both of these individuals can have different earlier lives (before the isolation on the island). But, as for Caliban, he was born “evil”. This was explained by Prospero “Stripes may move, not kindness! I have used thee/ (fifth as thou art) with humane care, and lodged thee in mine own cell” (1,2, 345-347), Despite the nurturing Prospero provided to Caliban he is considered a “born devil” due to his mother, Sycorax being described as a witch. As for Caliban his nature/nurture cannot stick. With nature already being created in Caliban, nurture cannot change his personality.
For Miranda, she inherited her virtue and gentle heart from her well-fixed parents. Due to her small time at Milan, she was able to develop a sense of gentility. Prospero explains to Miranda “ Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and she said thou wast my daughter”. Despite her knowledge of the real world, she developed a nurture from her parents. This would be an example of nature giving off on Miranda. Her parents were no villains, in fact, her father was the Duke of Milan. Miranda’s innocence, due to her parents superior identities. Her growth did not contrast with her nature, like it did with Caliban.
The conflicting theories of nature versus nurture will quite possibly never come down to a written fact. Whether it is an evil witch you are related to, or a perfect prince, there are questions to ask as to who will you turn out to be. Both nature and nurture are big features into the development of one's personality and identity.
