Social Hierarchy in the StormIn Shakespeare's time, social classification was much more rigid than today and some members of society were considered superior to others 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 gives an example of someone who had reason to feel superior, but who treated others equally and with due respect. The Tempest reflects Shakespeare's society through the relationship between the characters, particularly between Prospero and Caliban. Caliban, who was the former king of the island, learns to be "civilized" by Prospero and his daughter Miranda. He is then obliged to be their servant. Caliban explains "You have caressed me and made much of 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, The Later Comedies of DJ Shakespeare: An Anthology of Modern Criticism Harmondsworth, Penguin, 1971. Shakespeare, William The Tempest. . Stephen Orgel New York: Oxford UP, 1994. Tillyard, E.M. "The Tragic Pattern" The Tempest DJ Palmer (ed.) Macmillan & Co.. 1968