Social Hierarchy in The Tempest In Shakespeare's time social classification was much more rigid than today and some members of society were considered superior to other members. Shakespeare provides an example of this rigid social structure through his play, The Tempest. Shakespeare illustrates how superior men differentiated themselves from inferior beings on the basis of race, financial status, and gender. Through the character of Prospero, Shakespeare provides an example of someone who had reason to feel superior, but treated others equally and with the respect due to them. The Tempest reflects Shakespeare's society through the relationship between the characters, particularly between Prospero and Caliban. Caliban, who was the previous king of the island, is taught how to be "civilized" by Prospero and his daughter Miranda. So he is forced to be their servant. Caliban explains: "You caressed me and valued me; wo...... middle of paper ......lson. "Shakespearian Superman" The Tempest DJ Palmer (ed.) Macmillan & Co. 1968Murray, J . Middleton. "Shakespeare's Dream" The Tempest DJ Palmer (ed.) Macmillan & Co. 1968Palmer, DJ Shakespeare's Later Comedies: An Anthology of Modern Criticism, Penguin, 1971.Shakespeare, William The Tempest 1611. Ed. Stephen Orgel New York: Oxford UP, 1994.EM "The Tragic Pattern" The Tempest DJ Palmer (ed.) Macmillan & Co.. 1968