Sense Of Ariel In Prospero example essay topic

It has been suggested that Prospero represents a benevolent ruler though he is rarely seen as friendly or helpful. He is never charitable as he refuses to give unless receiving something in return. Even with Miranda and Ferdinand, Prospero is gaining the succession. This is important to Prospero and he refers to Ferdinand as "thy" and "thou" accepting him as part of his family. Making sure there marriage is final, assuring he will get what he wants.

However towards the end there is a different side to Prospero, he becomes more of a kind and forgiving ruler "and mine shall". Here Prospero has become less revengeful and decides to forgive his brother and the other characters for their treachery. He also keeps to his promise of freeing Ariel "be free, and fair thou well!" Prospero has a sense of humanity and the audience sympathise with him. Throughout the play Prospero is definitely seen as a colonialist-exploiter.

In Prospero's position he depends upon Caliban obeisance as he says "I am all the subjects you have". It is Prospero's "art" and power, rather than a landed title, which makes Caliban the natural owner of the island. Prospero believes his power to be valid as gained through knowledge and effort whereas Antonio's power to be marred by its underhanded acquisition. It is the pursuit of knowledge that gets Prospero into trouble in the first place. By neglecting everyday matters while duke, he gave his brother a chance to rise against him. His possession and use of magical knowledge renders him extremely powerful and not entirely sympathetic.

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.

Constantly Prospero abuses his powers by imposing his civilisation on others, for example he imprisoned Ariel who refers to him as "lord". Prospero also regards Caliban as a piece of dirt "so slave hence". Here it shows that Prospero has taken over an island not rightfully his and enforced his ways and taken advantage of Ariel and Caliban. In Prospero's epilogue the audience see a sense of Ariel in Prospero "set me free", as both have to ask for freedom.

Ariel asking Prospero and Prospero asking the audience "Gentle breath of yours my sails must fill, or else my project fails". Here Prospero is asking the audience to blow on his sails in order to free himself. It has been suggested that Caliban also represents a part of Prospero's character, only where Ariel represents Prospero's magical side, Caliban represents his savage nature and this would explain Prospero's need to control Caliban. Constantly throughout "The Tempest" Prospero is referred to as omnipotent "great master, sir". He is also referred to as "Jove's" the God of the Gods and invites Ceres the God of earth, Juno the God of marriage and Iris the messenger of the Gods to the celebration of Miranda and Ferdinand. This shows that Prospero has so much power; he is even capable of controlling Gods.

There can be no doubt that The Tempest contains numerous references to the theater, and while many of Shakespeare's plays make reference to the dramatic arts and their analogy to real life "all the world's a stage", it is in this, his last play, that the Bard most explicitly acknowledges that the audience is viewing a show. Thus, in the play's final scene, Prospero tells his prospective son-in-law Ferdinand that the revels at hand are almost at an end, that the actors are about to retire, and that the "insubstantial pageant" of which he has been a part has reached its conclusion. Prospero directs the play, giving the audience previews of scenes to come. Yet the audience does not always agree with him. By the end of the play Prospero has learnt a sense of humanity as he is moved by the sadness of the other characters, and resolves to give up sorcery "I'll drown my book". Therefore it is valid that critics have suggested Prospero mirrors Shakespeare himself, as it is his last play..