Prospero is an incredibly powerful and active character in Shakespeares The

Tempest, which leaves a lot of ambiguity surrounding some of his key character traits.
Prospero can easily be read as an overly harsh, even dictatorial ruler of the island; his
treatment of Caliban, Ariel, and Miranda is far from empathetic in the outset. However over
the course of the story, Prospero develops and reveals himself as a caring, aging man with a
heart who truly wants the best for his daughter. Traumatized by betrayal and shunned
from his home, Prospero needed to be reawakened to the goodness in people in order to
redeem himself. The arrival of Ferdinand on the island and his romance with Miranda are
the keys that unlock Prosperos heart and teach him to forgive again.
Prospero has seen some of the worst of humanity in the betrayal by his own brother.
Not only did Antonio breach Prosperos brotherly trust, but he was the ivy which had hid
[Prosperos] princely trunk, and sucked [his] verdure out on t, purposefully stealing
Prosperos power. (1.2.86-88) Such violation of a deep familial relationship would leave
anyone feeling doubtful; perhaps his initial cruelty is a compensation for the trust that
Antonio has destroyed. Prospero is introduced in that damaged form of mistrust and
cruelty, his only true ally in Miranda. In this light, Prosperos stormy attack on the ship and
dictatorial nature seem almost reasonable. In fact, it almost calls back to the biblical flood
or destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah; all were angry and vengeful attacks on sinners by a
more mystical being with the best intentions for his chosen allies.
Among Prosperos subjects on the island, Caliban far and above receives the
harshest treatment. This may be due to the fact that Caliban didst seek to violate the honor
of [Prosperos] child, yet another attempt to break Prosperos trust. (1.2.352-353) When
the situation is considered from Prosperos perspective, he arrived on the island and

treated Caliban to food, shelter, and good will until Caliban attempted to spite such
generosity by taking Prosperos daughter as well. In such a context, Prosperos manner of
anger and harsh treatment seems much more justifiable. When contrasted with Calibans
relationship, Ariel has a wonderful relationship with Prospero. Ariel receives far less
berating than Caliban and even the power struggle with Prospero when Ariel is introduced
can be interpreted as far less than dictatorial cruelty. It was Calibans art, when [he]
arrived and heard thee, that made gape the pine and let [Ariel] out, a great service and one
that Ariel should be eternally for. (1.2.294-296) In fact Ariel does not seem to be enslaved
at all, rather more of an indentured servant working off Prosperos great assistance.
Following this understanding of their relationship, Ariel seems much more like a flighty
spirit trying to escape his commitment and responsibility than an oppressed, suffering
slave. Ferdinand also receives the brunt of Prosperos apparent cruelty, as with the others
on the island, Prospero appears cruel for legitimate reasons. Miranda is the light of
Prosperos life; he is giving Ferdinand a third of [his] own lifeor that for which [he]
live[s]. (4.1.4-5) This is not a thing to be taken lightly, therefore Ferdinand must be tested
and prove his worthiness of the jewel that is Miranda. Prospero then forces Ferdinand to
work in isolation but even gives ground there and allows Miranda to visit while he works.
This appears not to truly be vindictiveness but more a deep love for his daughter and a
wish for her to marry the finest man possible.
Shakespeare makes it clear that Prospero is attempting to orchestrate the union of
Ferdinand and Miranda, but the moment that he openly accepts their union is a major
turning point for his character. Ferdinand completes the trials and Prospero tells him thou
hast strangely stood the test. Here, afore heaven, I ratify this my rich gift, finally giving

Ferdinand and Miranda what they truly desire. (4.1.7-9) This is the first time in The
Tempest that Prospero gives ground to anyone and shows that his power is not infinite; the
powers of time and love have given rise to a new heir. Before he can fully let go of his
power, Prospero must bestow upon the eyes of this young couple some vanity of [his] art.
(4.1.39-41) These two acts start knocking down the dominoes that result in Prospero
finally giving up his magic and retiring, allowing the next generation to carry on.
The trend continues, when Prospero remembers the plight of Antonio and company
who are lost in the woods. Ariel informs Prospero of Gonzalos pitiful state and his heart
softens that they being penitent, the sole drift of [his] purpose doth extend not a frown
further. (5.1.29-31) This is massively important, Prospero is forgiving the very people who
exiled him and turned him into the authoritarian ruler at the outset of the play for no other
reason than their penitence. A shift of this magnitude reveals the deep awareness that
Prospero has gained since nearly killing his brother just days earlier. Even Caliban,
Trinculo, and Stephano are given similar light treatment immediately after attempting to
kill Prospero and take his island. This benevolence toward Caliban is possibly more telling
of the extremity of Prosperos shift than anything that occurs between Prospero and his
brother. Caliban violated Prosperos trust and further then attempted a coup dtat against
him. Even with all of this taken into account Prospero is ultimately forgiving and releases
everyone to go home in peace. His final decisive act of change comes in the epilogue of the
play. Prospero gives up his magic and begs forgiveness for his sins. Just as he forgave all
those who wronged him, he pleads to the magic of the island, As you from crimes would
pardoned be, let your indulgence set me free before his final exit. (5.2.19-20)

Prospero could also have easily been read as a cruel man, but this makes the
interpretation of his character much more narrow and superficial. Classifying Prospero as a
good man and loving father supports the historical context of The Tempest. The play was
written and performed for James I in honor of his daughters wedding, which lends support
to the symbolic correlation of Prospero, and James I. The masque may have been
celebrating more than the union of Ferdinand and Miranda, but also the marriage of James
daughter. Additionally, Prospero is a powerful man who takes over a new land without
western civilization just as James was colonizing the supposedly uncivilized worlds of the
East and the Americas. This also suggests that Shakespeare was criticizing western
imperial culture with Caliban as the allegory for the conquered natives.
Prospero is one of the most complicated protagonists of any of Shakespeares plays.
He superficially presents himself as a very rough and vindictive lord over his island and all
those on it. However as his character progresses, more complexities are revealed and show
Prospero as a man with deep emotions who can be deeply related to. He loves his daughter
and wants the best for her so he creates an environment in which she can end up having
the best life he can give her. Just as Socrates believes that humanity possesses vision but
does not rightly direct it and does not look where it should with education as the director,
Prospero directs Mirandas vision towards the situations and people who would serve her
best interests. Prospero is only human, he does his best and makes many mistakes however
discounting his entire character based on a couple of mistakes cheapens a deep and
valuable personality. When read from a critical point of view Prospero is revealed as a good
man and father who ultimately redeems himself