Vindicating Sycorax’s Anti-colonial Voice: an Overview of Some Postcolonial Re-Writings from "The Tempest" to "Indigo"

• Xiana Vázquez Bouzó ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidade de Vigo

     Universidade de Vigo

     Vigo, España

     
• Localización: Lectora: revista de dones i textualitat, ISSN 1136-5781, Nº. 22, 2016, págs. 185-198
• Idioma: inglés
• Títulos paralelos:
  • Reivindicación de la voz anti-colonial de Sycorax: estudio de algunas reescrituras postcoloniales desde The Tempest hasta Indigo
• Enlaces
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• Resumen
  • español

    El objetivo de este ensayo es proponer al personaje shakespeariano Sycorax como símbolo de resistencia anticolonial y antipatriarcal. A través del análisis de esta figura en The Tempest y sus reescrituras, sugiero un cambio desde las teorías que convirtieron a Caliban en un símbolo antiimperialista hacia una nueva consideración de Sycorax para este papel. Analizo las posibilidades que este personaje abre en términos de reescritura, así como la relación entre la figura de la bruja y su comunidad. Finalmente, comparo las ideas que personifica Caliban (incluyendo la violencia sexual) y aquellas representadas por Sycorax (la lucha contra las fuerzas imperialistas y patriarcales). En conclusión, defiendo a Sycorax como un símbolo de resistencia más adecuado que Caliban, ya que la lucha contra la dominación masculina debe ser abordada al mismo nivel que aquella contra la opresión imperialista.

  • English

    The aim of this essay is to place the Shakespearean character Sycorax as a symbol of anticolonia and anti-patriarchal resistance. Throughout the analysis of this figure in The Tempest and its re-writings, I suggest a change from the theories that turned Caliban into an antiimperial symbol towards a consideration of Sycorax for this role. I analyse the possibilities that this character opens in terms of re-writing, as well as the relation of the figure of the witch with her community. I also compare the ideas that Caliban personifies (including sexual violence), with those represented by Sycorax (the struggle against imperial and patriarchal forces). I ultimately defend that Sycorax fits better the position as a resistance symbol, since the struggles against masculine dominance must be addressed at the same level as those against imperialist oppressions.

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