Generally Prospero is presented as reliable and responsible for his magic, although, he can sometimes be seen as selfish, by using his ‘art’ for his own gain. It enables him to get his own way, whilst aiding his search for perfection and harmony. From the use of his magic, he gains control of Ariel. "Hast thou, spirit, Preformed to point, the tempest I bade thee". This means that Prospero owns him, and Ariel must do what Prospero wishes. He threatens Ariel, as he knows, he can quite easily trap him back in the tree in which he came from. From this control of Ariel, he has the ability to know all, as Ariel can carry out all of his tasks. A good example of this is where Ariel creates a great sea storm for Prospero, and also finds out about plots to kill him.
Prospero is not only presented as dominating as he can be shown with the highly emotional and angst-filled account of past times in Milan. He is shown as also sympathetic and protective of those who are close to him, especially Miranda. Prospero makes sure Ferdinand’s love for Miranda is true. He even called Ferdinand a traitor just to make Miranda seem harder to get. When Prospero says "They are both in either's powers. But this swift business I must uneasy make lest too light winning make the prize light" he is revealing his true plan to Ariel that he wants to make Miranda harder to get. This is because Prospero feels their love will be stronger if it is harder to obtain. Prospero is also protective when he says "the strongest oaths are straw to th' fire I' th' blood" this was said to Ferdinand after Prospero makes him promise not to have sex with Miranda before they are married. He is stunned to see that after his promise Ferdinand is playing around with Miranda. Prospero just wont have any of this. This is how Prospero is protective of Miranda.
Prospero is a very forgiving man, because near the end of the story he forgives the two people who hurt him the most Antonio and Caliban. An example of this is when he says to Caliban "As you look to have my pardon trim it handsomely." Prospero forgives Caliban even though he tries to rape Miranda, turns against Prospero, and tries to kill him. This was especially hurtful, because Prospero raises Caliban like a son. This was probably not as hurtful as the betrayal of Prospero's brother, Antonio. Antonio was the one who casts Miranda and Prospero out on a ship to die. Only they end up on an island for twelve years. Still Prospero forgives Antonio when he says "for you most wicked sir, whom to call brother would even infect my mouth I do forgive thy fault all of them." These are the reasons why Prospero is forgiving.
His punishments of Caliban are petty and vindictive, as he calls upon his spirits to pinch
Caliban when he curses. He is defensively autocratic with Ariel. For
example, when Ariel reminds his master of his promise to relieve him of his
duties early if he performs them willingly, Prospero bursts into fury and
threatens to return him to his former imprisonment and torment. He is
similarly unpleasant in his treatment of Ferdinand, leading him to his
daughter and then imprisoning and enslaving him.
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.
Throughout the Play Prospero is portrayed as a father, teacher, and master to different people. He's believed to have special magical powers and a great celestial force over him, which is being portrayed as Ariel. She is the celestial spirit that brought about the tempest at sea. Prospero is like a master to Ariel telling her what mischives to lerk up. Although Prospero was stolen of his throne as duke of Milan, he is still looked up to by certain people.
Throughout the play you can see a growth in character in Prospero. He accepts his dauthers mariage, showing a sign of maturity and confineness. Shakespare might of made this play to fit the point in time in which he was living in and was using prospero to symbolize his growth in his writing as well as his growth towards life.
whose authoritative manner must be adhered to by all, or else fear the consequences of the full extent of his ‘art’. We are clearly shown this from the start, in which he takes on the role as leader, despite only just arriving on the island. He is ignorant to the fact that the original ruler of the island, Caliban deserves the right, since he has lived there for the whole of his life.
On the other hand, Prospero has an element of
Authority
Power
Harsh
Ambiguous
Demanding
Inpatient
Deeply troubled
Reserved
In control
Commending
The fact that Prospero means ‘fortunate’ or ‘prosperous’ Demonstrates Shakespeare’s attempt conjure the character’s image as dominating. This signifies his importance and central role in the play.
Like him
People are scared of him from his powerful threats of the full extent of what he can do.
Fear Prospero’s wrath
Shaklepeare is presenting a figure, whose troubles are deepened, by the immaturity of Caliban, whilst his attempts for peace and harmony, are continually foiled.
His testing of Ferdinand was to make sure that he was a perfect husband for his precious Miranda, although from his use of magic, He does not always use his humanely, but sometimes selfishly, and here his use of power may have been used for his own satisfaction, more than Miranda’s, as – for Miranda with firdinand.
He does use his powers with good intentions to a large extent, even if it means using his magic in a cruel fashion to achieve good.
He is conveyed as a man never happy, who always wants more. His main aims are for harmony, and to marry off Miranda
Prospero does not have many friends
He can see seen as ignorant, or even primitive, as he is always wrapped up in his studying of magic books, he is often oblivious to reality. For example when Antonia usurped his brother’s dukedom of Milan.
prospero can also be seen as noble,
He can exploit the other characters on the island to do what he does not want to do. For example he controls Caliban to carry logs for him.
He is a sympathetic character in that he was wronged by his usurping brother, but he is first portrayed as also …….., self-important
His punishments of are petty and vindictive, as he calls upon his spirits to pinch
Prospero emerges as a more likable and sympathetic figure in the final two acts of the play. In these acts, his love for Miranda, his forgiveness of his enemies, and the legitimately happy ending his scheme creates all work to mitigate some of the undesirable means he has used to achieve his happy ending. If Prospero sometimes seems autocratic, he ultimately manages to persuade the audience to share his understanding of the world—an achievement that is, after all, the final goal of every author and every play.
