Ariel’s name has a different meaning compared to Caliban’s. Ariel is said to mean of the air and light, where as Caliban means of the earth. Looking further into Caliban’s name it may be related to "bruneteau and "Carib" Also Calibaun is a Romany word for black, suggesting he was black. Furthermore it could be an anagram of the word “cannibal”. It gives us the opinion from the start that Ariel has magic and Caliban doesn’t.
Prospero treats Ariel different to Caliban throughout the play. Caliban's first speech emphasizes the conflict that arises from his lack of gratitude towards his master; “with raven’s feather from in wholesome fen drop on you both. A south-west blow on ye, and blister you all o’er”. Prospero explains his harsh treatment of Caliban by claiming that after initially befriending him, Caliban attempted to rape Miranda. Caliban showed no remorse for what he attempted and even laughs at Prospero; “o ho, o ho” adding more insult. The use of “o ho, o ho” comes across as rather sarcastic making it more offensive. He then says; “Thou didst prevent me” suggesting he wished he could done it in order to fill; “the isle with Calibans”. Prospero’s punishments of Caliban are petty, vindictive and abusive, as he calls upon his spirits to pinch Caliban when he curses. Although Prospero’s treatment of Caliban is portrayed as being amusing, but it shows the poor treatment of slaves in Shakespeare times. However Caliban did at first love Prospero, until he got him drunk off; “water with berries in’t” and had him tell of the entire island and then make him a slave. Prospero uses his power over Caliban in a malicious, vengeful manner. Prospero has a lot more dignity and respect for Ariel than Caliban, this shows from what Prospero says to Ariel; “thou hast done well, fine Ariel!” compared to what he says to Caliban; “poisonous slave”. Ariel is loyal to his; “noble master” and is willing to serve him on any occasion; “say what, what shall I do?” compared to Caliban who wouldn’t do anything for Prospero if wasn’t controlled by him.
There use of language is very different indeed. At the start of the play we learn that Caliban was taught English by Miranda; “took pain to make thee speak taught thee each hour” because when Prospero made him his slave he would speak his own language; “know thine own meaning, but wouldst gabble like a thing most brutish” which we know now as Italian. But after being taught this Caliban communicates almost entirely by means of vulgar curses and complaints; “I know how to curse. The red plague rid you” where as Ariel communicates through poetry and song; “full fathom five thy father lies, of his bones are coral made, those are pearls that were his eyes, nothing of him that doth fade but doth suffer a sea-change into something rich and strange. Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell”. Ariel was able to speak English from the start. Ariel’s songs which have a lot of rhythm can be compared to Caliban’s which are a lot more chant like; “ban, ‘ban cacaliban...”
Ariel and Caliban both have different significances in the play. Ariel carries out virtually every task that Prospero needs accomplished in the play. Ariel is able to change the length of the island in an instant and to change shapes at will, as well as having control over all spirits i.e. Iris, Ceres, Juno, Nymphs and Reapers. Ariel is a plot device that makes the story happen. Where as Caliban is seen as a comedy factor that is used in the sub-plot which mirrors the main plot. Ariel has a lot of power within the play compared to Caliban who has no power at all and is controlled by everyone. Ariel is very important to the themes of the play; the themes I am talking about are power, usurpation and exploitation.
Ariel and Caliban’s futures are very different. Ariel at first was told if he carried out Prospero’s command to shipwreck the King of Naples and his crew in a violent tempest and made sure none of them was harmed; “not a soul” then he would be given freedom from Prospero and the island. But Prospero denies his request for freedom at that time and brings up the fact he saved him from the evil witch Sycorax, but promises it in two days time on the condition that Ariel follows and does the rest of his commands. Ariel does as his master says and after he makes Ferdinand and Miranda fall in love, Prospero is overjoyed with him and sets him free in the final act; “was’t well done?”, “bravely, my diligence thou shalt be free”. As for Caliban who knows, will he stay on the island? Will he be taken to Milan to carry on being a slave for Prospero? Will he be given freedom? We are unsure what will happen to him, but I am sure he won’t be freed after his plot with Trinculo and Stephano to kill his powerful master.
Ariel shows more intelligence in the play than Caliban. Caliban shows trust to easy and is used. Caliban was used by Prospero, so that Prospero could find out all about the island and then take control of it; “I loved thee, and showed thee all the qualities o’ th’ isle”. All Prospero had to do was give him; “water with berries in’t” and he got everything he needed to know out of him and then made him a slave. Caliban shows his lack of intelligence later on in the play when he trusts Trinculo and Stephano and falls into the trap of being given wine again; “drink servant-monster when I bid thee”. Ariel is very different to Caliban and is cautious of people. Ariel is happy to do things on his own rather than relying on others and if he wasn’t in a debt with Prospero he wouldn’t be controlled by anyone else.