Prospero's magic is the white magic of nature, not the black magic of evil men. This former duke of Milan is a complex personality.
Although he refuses to free Ariel and enslaves Caliban, Prospero is really a beneficent ruler, never intending to injure even his enemies. Early in the play, Prospero appears callous and cruel, especially in his treatment of Ariel and Caliban.
He is also autocratic in his treatment of Ferdinand, but Prospero realizes that Ferdinand and Miranda will value one another more if there are a few impediments to their courtship. Prospero's humanity is clearly obvious in his treatment of Antonio, whom he calls traitor but whom he declines to treat as a traitor.
Overall, Prospero is quite a foreboding character—he deals out punishments, treats his servants with contempt, and his morality and fairness are questionable. Both Ariel and Caliban want to be free of their master, which suggests he is unpleasant to work for.
Beyond Prospero's power over his servants, he possesses power over all other characters because of his magical abilities. This is most clearly exemplified at the start of the play, where he uses his powers and help from Ariel to conjure the tempest itself. His magic, knowledge, and beloved books give him the capacity to direct the actions of others.
Prospero was wronged by many of the characters in the play, and this reflects in his actions. His desire to rule the island reflects his brother Antonio's desire to rule Milan, and they go about it in similar—arguably unethical—ways. That said, by the end of the play, Prospero graciously forgives the characters from home. He even absolves himself of his tyranny over Ariel by setting him free. In the last two acts, we come to embrace Prospero as a more likable and sympathetic character.
His love for Miranda, ability to forgive his enemies, and the true happy ending he creates all coalesce to mitigate the undesirable actions he undertook along the way. Though Prospero can sometimes act like an autocrat, he ultimately enables the audience to share his understanding of the world. Despite Prospero's shortcomings as a man, he is pivotal to the narrative of "The Tempest. Because of this and the "playwright" theme of the epilogue, many critics and readers alike interpret Prospero as a surrogate for Shakespeare himself.
Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. 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. Ace your assignments with our guide to The Tempest! A Midsummer Night's Dream Dr. Jekyll and Mr. SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. Why was Prospero banished? Who is Ariel and why does he work for Prospero?
Why does Caliban hate Prospero and Miranda? How does Prospero manipulate Alonso and his company?
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