Ariel has a child like innocence, which could be represented through white clothing.
“Say what shall I do? What shall I do”
Ariel seems to be uncorrupted by society and remains pure and impartial, which again are qualities of the air. This gives airel an androgynous characteristic, which can leave the character open to interpretation. One of these is Ariel being played as a woman, which would totally change the meaning of the character and the interaction with other characters. For example Ariel's relationship with the protagonist, Prospero could be seen as a sexual one.
Another thing, which enhances Airel’s character and makes him more interesting, is his undertone of sarcasm. Airel’s innocence could be seen as sarcastic and patronising. This would suggest that he is using Prospero to get the most coveted of prizes, freedom.
Lines such as, “Hail great master, grave sir hail ”
Could be seen as satirical lines that undermine Prospero, and even make fun of him. This would change some of the themes and action in the play making Ariel a more comic character, yet very clever and scheming.
Ariel communicates through song. In a recent performance at the Sheffield crucible Ariel was fundamental in dictating the pace, change in mood and tension in the play, he did this through music. One way that Ariel changed the mood and built tension was when he appeared as a harpy. In a the performance at the Sheffield crucible Ariel was dressed as the scales of justice which is contrary to his pure and innocent representation. This could be seen as ostentatious, because no where else in the play do we see this assertive and firm side of Ariel.
“You ‘mongst men being most unfit to live”
This scene with Ariel as a harpy is a great contribution to the dramatic spectacle of the play, as this outburst of emotion emphasises the power of spirits and their authority over the island. This could be Shakespeare’s way of commenting on the hold spirits and Gods have over society, and the rituals we go through to keep on good terms with them.
One character who is mesmerised by the music of the island is Caliban. Caliban is an anagram of the word cannibal. This immediate gives us the impression of a bloodthirsty monster with no empathy for any other characters, just hatred.
“All the infections that the sun sucks up from bogs, fens, flats on Prospero fall”
Shakespeare’s representation of Caliban is a hazy one, which makes him a difficult character to, sympathise with. Caliban can be represented in many different styles and genres onstage. Firstly he can be seen as a comic character as he speaks in prose, “Let me lick thy shoe”. If a director focused on this side of Calibans character he could both condone and condemn racism and the persecution of people who are different. A director has a more freedom of expression with Caliban than he/she would have with other characters.
In today’s society it might be interesting to cast Caliban as a Black, Afro Caribbean male. This would imediatly tie in with all of the themes surrounding Caliban such as colonisation, discrimination and persecution, all of which black males suffered in America in the 1900’s. This would them involve the thought of the audience and give Caliban a deeper quality, and empathy between him and the audience would be much easier, and would also heighten the interest in some of the themes.
Caliban seems to be the centre of ridicule. The comedy is mostly slapstick, which suggests that Caliban has limited intellect. However in keeping with Calibans deeper and more meaningful side is his speech, one of the most famous from the play.
“Sounds and sweet airs that give delight and hurt me not // then when I wake I cry to dream again.”
This sums up what the play is about, and in my view is the apex of the play, an almost dream like world where normal rules and laws do not apply.
Ariel and Caliban have an interesting relationship with the protagonist Prospero. It has a similarity and mirrors
that of the holy trinity, the father son an Holy Spirit.
This then links the play to the bible and things such
as Calibans speech become more meaningful. This biblical similarity could also reflect the views of the writer, such as forgiveness and tolerance of others. We also see similarities between the Holy Spirit and Ariel, e.g. he advises Prospero.
“If you now beheld them, your affections would become tender”
“Dost thou think so spirit”
“Mine would sir if I where human”
“Then mine shall”
The ties with the bible also make the island seen like a kind of purgatory where the characters are being tested and tempted.
Caliban is Shakespeare’s comment on the human race, we want and lust for things and are never satisfied.
“This islands mine”
Shakespeare however doesn’t forget our spiritual side and our admiration for the unknown.
“Sounds and sweet airs”
Also Ariel and Caliban never speak to each other during the play, this could be because they are part of the same person (or different aspects of it) that being Prospero.
One of the most theatrical and entertaining scenes is the masque. It serves many Purposes. One is to entertain or distract Miranda and Ferdinand from making love before marriage. The masque is when we see Ariel express himself with the other spirits in the island. One major theme attached to all masques is disguise, this ties in with many characters in the play, such as Caliban who has an unwanted disguise. It also symbolises the calm after the storm (tempest) which suggests at this point the play is coming to an end, a happy one as Iris the goddess of the rainbow appears and we associate this with happiness. The Irony of the masque is that Ariel starts the masque with good intention to entertain and Caliban ends it with his evil plot to kill Prospero.
Ariel and Caliban are two of the main characters in “The Tempest”. They both contribute to the dramatic spectacle and themes of the play. They explore the prejudice and attitudes people can have and cleverly give us an insight into the two sides of Prospero. Caliban more than Ariel seems to embody both the spiritual side and mortal (imperfect) side of Prospero. Both characters strive for freedom and give the audience an insight to the ideals of our society.
