When Prospero is with Miranda he displays all of the compassionate … Both Ariel and Caliban want to be free of their master, which suggests he is unpleasant to work for. In short, Prospero saved Ariel from a "witch" called Sycorax, however if Ariel promised to serve Prospero, he would free him, thus motivating Ariel to serve Prospero. Prospero can be viewed as both good and evil because of his kindness and intelligence to some characters, such as his daughter Miranda, which conflicts with his harshness and unkindness to other characters, such as Caliban. Already have an account? We meet Prospero and find that the shipwreck was his doing. It could be argued he's only compassionate to help him self but he could only behave evilly for an over all good. He was usurped. Not only was Alonso Prospero's enemy he turned a member of his only family against him. Prospero: A good or bad father? Prospero is the main character in The Tempest. He has decided who was to blame for his exile and then carries out their punishment. On day seven nothing really happened because there wasn't much to do except from Arnie making his new song about Semi and Miranda called "Prisoners in Paradise". The father figure is a rapidly changing position and in modern society, it is portrayed in many different ways. In many ways, it is harsh, because Mason has been really resourceful- not defeatist at all. He forgives the man who stole his throne, however seeks revenge and steals it back. Log in now! The Little Girl Eater, by Septimus Dale - review. This shows Prospero's more two faced, self-involved side. Prospero seeks revenge throughout the entire play. Prospero displays both good and evil qualities and actions. He speaks to Miranda very genteelly but sometimes patronizingly as is she is still a young child. Prospero considers himself as a combination judge and jury. Created by teachers, our study guides highlight the really important stuff you need to know. Prospero is shown in these three ways by how he acts towards the other characters in the play, his intentions and emotions. Prospero is the protagonist, the main character in the story, in William Shakespeare's play The Tempest.At times, Prospero is a sympathetic character who is … The Tempest features a morally ambiguous character, Prospero. Prospero can be viewed as good and bad because of his kindness and intelligence to some characters, such as his daughter Miranda, which conflicts with his harshness and unkindness to other characters, such as Caliban. As the play starts we are suddenly launched into tempest at sea. or purely good- are at the heart of many works of literature. He manipulated Ferdinand and Miranda's relationship by acting like he didnt approve to make the other sound more enticing and create more curiosity. Avoid mere plot summary. This shows Prospero has double standards. "til thou dids't seek to violate the honour of my child.". He has a very compassionate side where he helps people and tries to make the island a better place to live, and his darker evil side where he torments people. Overall, Prospero is quite a foreboding character—he deals out punishments, treats his servants with contempt, and his morality and fairness are questionable. He raised his baby daughter to be an intelligent and beautiful young woman on a deserted island. Explore Shakespeare's presentation of Caliban in The Tempest. Through out the play Prospero is seeking revenge for what injustices have been done to him in the past. Prospero has two very obvious sides. To achieve this he manipulates everyone around him. Instead of just killing Alonso in the shipwreck he keeps him alive so that he can suffer physically and mentally just as Prospero would have done. By keeping her in the dark he could be protecting her from what went on as he might still think of her as a young child as she was when they landed on the island. He invaded the island and made Caliban and Ariel his slaves which was hypocritical, because he his own throne had just been usurped from him. First of all, he caused the terrible storm which, in turn, caused the shipwreck. The first and probably the most obvious aspect to his character is that of the magician. When Prospero is with Miranda he displays all of the compassionate characteristics of his personality. He caused the shipwreck to bring the noblemen from Milan together and charm them into giving him back his throne. The father figure is a rapidly changing position and in modern society, it is portrayed in many different ways. Is Prospero good or evil? Prospero is one of Shakespeare’s more enigmatic protagonists. "I pitied thee, took pains to make thee speak..." ...read more. Prospero is the ousted Duke of Milan who has been living in exile on a remote island for the past twelve years (yikes). Tempest: Is Prospero Good or Evil? It could be argued he's only compassionate to help him self but he could only behave evilly for an over all good. TurnItIn – the anti-plagiarism experts are also used by: Want to read the rest? He is a powerful magician who was once the Duke of Milan. Then write an essay in which you explain how the character can be viewed as morally This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE The Tempest section. Prospero in William Shakespeare's The Tempest In act 1 we learn that Prospero is a very complex character with many different aspects to his presentation. In our first glimpse of him, he appears puffed up and self-important, and his repeated insistence that Miranda pay attention suggest that his story is boring her. This confirms I understand the reading. "My son is lost". Aptly named, Prince Prospero is prosperous, or wealthy. This could show that's he's a bit of a control freak as he is sheltering her and denying her knowledge of her past. In his mind this is the worse crime that could be committed. The good and evil qualities highlight each other and make it difficult to pin Prospero as fully good or evil. Although he refuses to free Ariel and enslaves Caliban, Prospero is really a beneficent ruler, never intending to injure even his enemies. Create one now! Throughout the story he expresses his sadness about fighting and even ends up giving his daughter to a man he seemed to not like. Alonso is obviously wracked by grief at losing his son. This shows how Caliban is afraid of the man he helped to survive on the island that is technically belongs to Caliban. Prospero is the central character of this play. We feel sorry for him because he lost his title and status to his own brother, and it does not seem like he … You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Sign up to view the whole essay and download the PDF for anytime access on your computer, tablet or smartphone. or I'll fall flat; perchance he will not mind me." © 2003 - 2015 Marked by Teachers. Learn the basics with our essay writing guide. It is fair to say that Prospero is a main protagonist to the plot of Shakespeare’s Tempest. I came to the exact conclusions. ...read more. For example, he rescued and educated Ariel and Caliban, however he stole their island. So when Prospero reclaims his place in Milan he'll be able to use blackmail against them just in case he needs any favours or they become troublesome. character plays a pivotal role. Choose a novel or play in which a morally ambiguous He is a "bold and robust" man whose wealth, strength, and power lead to his self-deception that … In the play the Tempest, Shakespeare conveys the character Prospero as a many-faced character. Not the one? Again Prospero has helped someone on the island for his own selfish gain. He is a sympathetic character in that he was wronged by his usurping brother, but his absolute power over the other characters and his overwrought speeches make him difficult to like. His forgiveness and love for his daughter make him seem good, however, his desire for revenge and his enslavement of the island natives could be used to show his evilness. Prospero's magic is the white magic of nature, not the black magic of evil men. Not only has he enslaved him he tortures and torments him to such an extent that when Caliban sees someone new, for example Stephano and Trinculo, he assumes that they are sent by Prospero to torment him " do not torment me, prithee; ill bring my wood home faster." Get Full Access Now ...read more. A Very Round Character: Prospero is the deposed Duke of Milan who has spent the last 12 years marooned on an island. When Ariel reminds Prospero of his promise to relieve him of his. I think there are key qualities that are very important to create a good father. At the opening of the novel, Prospero is introduced as a "good guy." Introducing Prospero. He let Alonso believe that his son was dead. In the beginning it is very hard to see Prospero fit into the role of hero. Lo now, lo, here comes a spirit of his, and to torment me for bringing wood in slowly.