Introduction
Masterpieces written by different authors always have a point of relation. William Shakespeare an outstanding author of several plays emphasized on relations in his characters. The characterization by Shakespeare has resulted to authors to model in relations their characters with characters fashioned by William Shakespeare. Tayed Salih in his work “Season of migration to the North,” deliberates on direct relation of the character Mustafa Sa'eed with Othello. The comparison is purely on the attitudes evident on Othello and Sa’eed. The direct relation by Salih precedes other comparison of his work to other Shakespearean plays such as “The Tempest.” Several apparent relations between Sa'eed and Othello and Caliban are evident. Conclusive relations of the character Sa'eed with Othello and Caliban will be deliberated on the paper. The relation will be accentuated on character roles played by the three characters in their respective story and plays.
There are several apparent points of relations among the three characters. The first apparent relation of the three characters is William Shakespeare and Tayed Salih fashioned the characters to be exceptionally intelligent. In the instance of Sa'eed, it is conspicuous that the intellectual establishment presented by the author is founded on his academic achievements. This is observable in the text when the narrator finds him reciting a poem in fluent English. The narrator later learns that Sa'eed was also a scholar educated in Queen’s land. The narrator affirms, “But last night, you recited poetry in English” (Salih and Salih 15). Similar, it is noticeable in the play “The Tempest,” that Caliban was an intellect despite his slavery status. The speech he presents to Prospero affirms his intellectual prowess. The speeches are refined, detailed and exceptional. This is particularly the case in his first speech where he concludes that Prospero stole his land but quickly comes in terms with it by alleging that Prospero was facing the same problem. The problem was attributed to his brother usurping his dukedom. The intelligence is even more pronounced on the case of Othello. The intelligence of Othello is evident in his ability to be a great soldier and leader. Despite being ethnically outsider of Venice the duke and Senate severely depend on him. This is apparent when Casio confirms, “The duke greets you, general, and he does require your haste appearance” (Othello, the Moor of Venice 1.11.46-47).This merely highlights how Venice depended on Othello for their normal routine.
The second point of relation is evident in terms of being racially abused or referred to as slaves. Salih illustrates Sa'eed to be racially abused and a slave to the western culture. Sa'eed is racially abused after he decides to assimilate to the Western culture. Additionally, he becomes an academic. This does not turn out thriving for Sa'eed purely because of his contrasting culture with Europeans in United Kingdom. Sa'eed becomes involved in many affairs which compel him to murder his wife. The situations leave him a slave of the English culture as it merely did not meet his expectations. Subsequently, Sa'eed becomes bitter about the western culture. This is similar to the case of Othello and Caliban. Othello is racially abused by Venetians despite being a polite and dependable by the Venice administration. This is definite in at beginning of the first act where Lagos and Roderigo refer to Othello using names such as “thick lips,” “an old black ram” and the moor.” This is noticeable when Lagos state, “Even now, very now, an old black ram is topping your white ewe” (Othello, the Moor of Venice 1.11.55-57). This is in reference to Othello. Equally, Caliban is racially abused and described as a slave. This is obvious in the play when he is treated as a slave and servant to Prospero. Prospero avers, “Thou most lying slave” (The Tempest 1.11.18). This is to confirm the position of Caliban in his household. This is contrary to the expectation especially when it is obvious that Caliban is the native of the land.
The last relation among the three characters is their state of being cultural and racially outsiders in their respective cities and islands. In the first instance of Sa'eed it is obvious that he was an outsider in terms of culture and race in the United Kingdom. Sa'eed was a Sudanese who was bestowed a chance to study in the United Kingdom. The country had contrasting cultures to his culture. Besides, whereas his race was an African, in the United Kingdom majority of the people were of European race. This is also evident for Othello. Othello was an outsider in terms of culture and race to the Venetians. This is obvious in the text when characters such as Roderigo and Lagos confirm to the audience how Othello was an outside. This is true when Roderigo avows, “What a full fortune does the thick lips owe, if he can carry it thus” (Othello, the Moor of Venice 1.1.66). This is to stress the contras in race between him and Othello. Despite Caliban being a native of the island it noticeable that he is the only native existing in the island. Other people present such as Prospero are culturally different and of contrasting race to that of Caliban. Caliban confirms the assertion by averring, “For I am all the subjects that you have” (The Tempest 1.11.12). The declaration certifies that Prospero comprehended he was the only native of the island.
Conclusion
The three characters apparent in the work of Tayed Salih and Shakespeare can be ascertained to relate to one another in terms of characterization. The character Mustafa Sa'eed can be explained in relation to Othello and Caliban based on three foundations. The first foundation of relation is in terms of their intelligence. The second, foundation of relation is in terms of racial and slavery attributes. The last foundation of relation is in terms of being cultural and race outsides.
Works cited
Salih Maybe and Salih, Al-Tanya. Season of Migration to the North. Heinemann, 1991. Print.
Shakespeare, William. The Tempest: By William Shakespeare. MobileReference, 2008. Print.
- - - Othello, the Moor of Venice. Plain Label Books, 1969. Print.
