Freedom, however, is also presented by Shakespeare in the world of language. We realize how the use of language and imagery expresses his Caliban’s freedom. Caliban uses natural imagery like “springs, berries, wood and jay’s nest” which shows that he has knowledge of nature and he says “I cried to dream again” which shows how much he likes staying on the island. This may also question the audience about the fact that he maybe the rightful king of the island as he is being usurped from the island like Prospero was usurped from his brother. However, if Caliban is left on the island when Prospero returns to Milan then he may gain his freedom from prospero.
Even more Caliban’s use of poetry in the play expresses his freedom, as he uses the rhyming technique as he says “ Ban’ ban’ Ca-caliban” and even more sings to himself “ Freedom, high-day; high-day freedom” which suggests that he believes that he is free from Prospero and he’s in high spirits. The simple repetition in the words of Caliban’s song of freedom also suggests his naivety, gullible and has a childlike attitude and also is evident for his freedom as it shows how easily he can express himself. Conversely, we realize that as well as freedom, it also suggests his entrapment on the island. The rhyming scheme poses his limitations to how much freedom he actually has on the island.
Within ‘The Tempest’ there are obvious social implications regarding the hierarchy, with the representations of characters such as Caliban and Prospero. During Shakespeare's time social classification was much more rigid than today and some members of society were considered superior to other members. Shakespeare attempts to provide an example of this rigid social structure. Shakespeare illustrates how superior men differentiated themselves from lesser beings on the basis of race, financial status, and gender. Through the characterization of Prospero, Shakespeare provides an example of one, who had reason to feel superior, yet treated others equally and with the respect due to them. This is shown through the character of Caliban in the play who is trapped by his classification as a lesser being to the others on the island. He is classed as a “creature” which segregates him from the human kind on the chain of being, therefore this makes him inferior to Prospero, as he not seen as a human which is the highest on the chain of being.
In this case, Ariel is an “airy spirit” who is promised his freedom by Prospero if his job is done well. His job was to entrance the visitors to the island under Prospero's control. We see evidence of Ariel being imprisoned by Prospero as he says,” What Ariel! “My industrious servant, Ariel!"
Shakespeare presents the master and servant relationship in this play, as we see how Prospero treats Ariel as his servant, and commands him orders to do, and Ariel follows Prospero’s commands and this can also be compared to how Prospero treats Caliban in the play as well. This again can show how Ariel is imprisoned by Prospero on the island as he is like a servant subsequent to his orders. We also learn that Ariel was once the servant of Sycorax, a wicked sorceress who had imprisoned the spirit in a "cloven pine" for refusing to fulfill her "earthy and abhorr'd commands." Ariel remained trapped inside the tree for twelve years, crying out in pain. There is also the use of metaphor when stating 'thy groans did make wolves howl, and penetrate the breast of bear' in reference to Sycorax's imprisonment of Ariel. This connotes how much suffering Ariel went through whilst he was imprisoned by Sycorax at that time. However Prospero rescued Ariel from a long imprisonment at the hands of the witch Sycorax. Another way in which Shakespeare presents imprisonment in the play is through Ariel’s speech as a harpy which shows that he is enslaved to prospero whilst delivering the speeches. Prospero is pleased with Ariel with the harpy and respects him and says words like “brave” to praise him, showing admiration but at the same time uses possessive words and refers to him as “my Ariel” or “my spirit” which shows that there is still a power differential between Ariel and Prospero.
Yet, being magical, Ariel can change into many shapes like fire or a nymph. In a symbolic way Ariel functions as Prospero's imagination. Ariel makes Prospero's thoughts come to life. Ariel, after being saved by Prospero was very loyal although he was not willing. All Ariel could think of was getting set free. Prospero says,” Delicate Ariel, I'll set thee free for this," but as you can see from this quote before he's set free he has to help Prospero with a little problem he had with Caliban and his crew. Knowing the fact that Ariel has magical powers which is innate, we realize how Prospero is envious of Ariel’s magical powers as Prospero had to learn magic and is earth bound whereas Ariel’s magic is natural and with those powers he has a sense of freedom. Therefore this could be the reason why Prospero feels he has to keep Ariel in his control, which leads to his imprisonment. Shakespeare conveys Ariel’s character through his speech which is very poetic. He uses emotive and descriptive language as Ariel’s songs are filled with alliteration, assonance, rhyme and meter, as he sings “Foot it featly here and there; And, sweet sprites, the burden bear." Which suggests that he is intelligent as he his language here is pleasant and musical and also uses classical illusions metaphorically as he says that “the seas were very angry.” this shows that like Caliban Ariel’s use of language expresses a sense of freedom despite his enslavement by Prospero.
Ariel speaking up to Prospero of the desire for freedom shows his independency. Ariel is dependent upon Prospero for his freedom; Prospero is dependent upon Ariel for the fulfillment of his plans. They both need each other, as Prospero need Ariel for his success in his plans and Ariel need prospero to gain freedom. This entails a significant reversal in roles. Ariel becomes the one in control, for it is his power of enchantment upon which Prospero is dependent. In Ariel’s speech to Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian in Act III, Ariel condemns these three in the same type of authoritarian language which had previously been reserved only to Prospero: Ariel says, “you fools: I and my fellows are ministers of fate...”Ariel’s use of language as a means of intimidation is quite different from his energetic poems and songs of the first two acts. His changing use of language is evidence of a changing attitude. As Ariel comes closer to his freedom, his demeanor becomes more confident and less submissive. He is becoming more independent, and thus stronger in character.
Shakespeare presents freedom and imprisonment through Prospero himself, as he is stranded on the island with his daughter, Miranda. However with prospero, without being powerful, caring, and forgiving Prospero might not have ever gotten off of the island. Even though he must sacrifice his magic his daughters happiness is more important then his revenge. So he forgives his enemies. In the end Ariel is set free, Prospero regains his dukedom, Miranda and Ferdinand are getting married and everyone except Caliban got on the boatswains ship and headed home.
Prospero gains his freedom from his magical powers at the end of the play (epilogue) and also from the political duties, when he’s on the island as he says “no sovereignty”, “all men idle”. Shakespeare is trying to confirm that no matter what, some sort of hierarchy will be established. You will never have ‘true’ freedom from that. The language that Prospero uses in the epilogue suggests his freedom from his magical powers and at the end of his speech he asks for forgiveness from the audience. This can also show that he is being freed from the audience’s condemnation of him as he imprisoned a lot of characters in the play and tried to take Gods place with his magical powers.
