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Montaigne, along with Gonzalo, seems to be saying that people are inherently, or naturally, good; the evils of society make people evil. In the world Gonzalo portrays, people do not need social conventions to
control them; their good natures automatically make them behave well. The idea of a “golden age,” in which a perfect society exists without need of laws, dates back at least to the times of the Greek philosopher Plato (428–348 B.C.) and the Roman poet Ovid (43 B.C.–A.D.18). Both writers described societies similar to the one pictured by Gonzalo. In this view, society itself is the evil force that corrupts people who are basically good.
As you read Gonzalo’s speech, ask yourself whether Shakespeare himself agrees with the idea that such a society is possible. What evidence can you find that shows Shakespeare’s beliefs about people’s basic natures and the influence of society and laws? For clues to the playwright’s attitude, notice how Antonio and Sebastian react to Gonzalo, as well as which event follows Gonzalo’s speech after Alonso falls asleep. Also pay attention to Caliban’s speeches in Scene 2.
In his speech in Scene 1 (lines 158–164), Gonzalo describes how he would govern the island if he were king. His description is based on an essay called “Of the Cannibals” by the French philosopher Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592). Montaigne describes the primitive people of an imaginary nation who are so naturally good that they do not need business, written language, mathematics, justice and political systems, money, or jobs. “The very words that import [mean] lying, falsehood, treason, dissimulation, covetousness, envy, detraction, and pardon, were never heard amongst them,” Montaigne marvels.
I' th' commonwealth I would, by contraries,
Execute all things; for no kind of traffic
Would I admit; no name of magistrate;
Letters should not be known; riches, poverty,
And use of service, none; contract, succession,
Bourn, bound of land, tilth, vineyard, none;
No use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil;
No occupation, all men idle, all;
And women too, but innocent and pure;
No sovereignty --
(II.i.148-157)
All things in common nature should produce
Without sweat or endeavor: treason, felony,
Sword, pike, knife, gun, or need of any engine,
Would I not have; but nature should bring forth,
Of its own kind, all foison, all abundance,
To feed my innocent people.
. . .
I would with such perfection govern, sir,
T' excel the golden age.
(II.i.160-169)