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- The Tempest: the characters
The Tempest: the characters
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Prospero controls almost everyone on the island. Asking whether he is a wise ruler or a tyrant is a great way into any essay.
Prospero
A powerful magician who was once a careless duke: he says "my library / Was dukedom large enough".
He can be harsh and controlling, threatening Ariel and enslaving Caliban.
But he ends by forgiving his enemies and giving up power: "I'll break my staff" and "I'll drown my book".
He can be harsh and controlling, threatening Ariel and enslaving Caliban.
But he ends by forgiving his enemies and giving up power: "I'll break my staff" and "I'll drown my book".
Ariel and Caliban
Ariel is a spirit Prospero freed from a pine tree where the witch Sycorax trapped him. He serves Prospero but longs for freedom.
Caliban, Sycorax's son, says "This island's mine, by Sycorax my mother, / Which thou tak'st from me."
He is shown as brutish, but he also speaks beautiful poetry: "Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises".
Caliban, Sycorax's son, says "This island's mine, by Sycorax my mother, / Which thou tak'st from me."
He is shown as brutish, but he also speaks beautiful poetry: "Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises".
Miranda, Ferdinand and the courtiers
Miranda is kind and innocent. Seeing the visitors she cries "O brave new world, / That has such people in't!" Prospero replies "'Tis new to thee."
Ferdinand is a loyal, romantic prince.
Antonio and Sebastian are ruthless; Gonzalo is an honest old councillor who helped Prospero escape.
Ferdinand is a loyal, romantic prince.
Antonio and Sebastian are ruthless; Gonzalo is an honest old councillor who helped Prospero escape.
Analyse Caliban's line "You taught me language, and my profit on't / Is, I know how to curse."
- Caliban speaks to Prospero and Miranda, who taught him to speak.
- He turns their gift against them: the only use he has found for language is cursing.
- It raises questions about colonisers who claim to 'civilise' the people whose land they take.
Answer: It shows Caliban's anger and resentment, and makes the audience question Prospero's rule.
Prospero: controlling but finally merciful. Ariel: loyal servant who wants freedom. Caliban: resentful, enslaved, but poetic. Miranda: innocent. Antonio and Sebastian: ruthless. Gonzalo: honest.
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