Can I use the simple past (as used by Shakespeare) to refer to the initial relationship between Prospero and Caliban? I added a few more sentences.
1) One day Caliban tried to Miranda, so Prospero gave up taking care of him.
2) At the beginning Prospero taught Caliban the names of the sun and the moon but now he pens him up in a cave like an animal.
3) Criminals aren't only prevented from causing death but they are also ...
Or Criminals are not only...
4) There are two tpes of magic, maleficent and beneficent. Sykorax's magic tends to harm its victims, whereas Prospero's is used only for good purposes.
5) The source of Prospero's magic is found in his books, his robe, and his wand, the instrument of his power.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/literature.htm
I always refer to the paragraph just below the chart discussing quotations and margins. The directions in that paragraph are clear and easy to follow. Once you get all that, then you're ready to use your best judgment.
1. Since I haven't read this play in about 20 years, you'll have to decide. Did the actions in #1 happen before the play opens? If so, then I'd say that past tense is all right.
2. Did the actions in #2 happen during the play? If so, then all needs to be in present tense.
3. Both phrasings are fine; I prefer the second, but both are correct.
4. types <~~sp? The sentences are fine.
5. OK
1) Yes, you can use the simple past tense to refer to the initial relationship between Prospero and Caliban, as used by Shakespeare. To determine the correct tense, you can analyze the specific scene or passage in which the relationship is being described. In this case, if you are referring to a past event, such as when Caliban attempted to Miranda and Prospero subsequently stopped taking care of him, the simple past tense is appropriate.
2) Similarly, when describing the change in Prospero's treatment of Caliban, you can use the simple past tense, as long as you are referring to events that occurred in the past. It is important to consider the context and time frame of the narrative.
3) For the sentence about criminals, you can use either the phrase "Criminals aren't only prevented from causing death" or "Criminals are not only prevented from causing death" to convey the intended meaning. The choice between "aren't" and "are not" depends on your personal preference and writing style. Both versions are grammatically correct, and the meaning remains the same.
4) In this sentence, you are comparing the types of magic used by Sykorax and Prospero. To express this, you can use the simple present tense to describe the general characteristics of each type of magic. For example, you can say, "Sykorax's magic tends to harm its victims, whereas Prospero's magic is used only for good purposes." The simple present tense is commonly used in literary analysis when discussing general truths or ongoing actions.
5) To describe the source of Prospero's magic, you can use the simple present tense to emphasize the characteristics or qualities that are enduring. For example, "The source of Prospero's magic is found in his books, his robe, and his wand, the instrument of his power." Using the simple present tense helps convey that these elements continue to be the source of Prospero's magic throughout the play.