Character Analysis of Prospero in The Tempest
Prospero, of course, is the play. He is the exiled duke of Milan and the father of Miranda, as well as a powerful magician ruler of a remote island. The play revolves around him. He has more lines than any other character. His presence is felt continuously, even in those scenes in which he does not appear personally. He is the manipulator of the action in the play. The sometimes-godlike character is well rounded and full of contradictions, making him a difficult character to evaluate. In his judging, punishing, forgiving, and in many other ways, he is godlike compare to the rest of the characters in the play. Thanks to Ariel, he is also knows everything as well. Like a god, he punishes the guilty, but with grace he shows mercy and gives second chances. After Caliban attempts to rape Miranda, Prospero does not get rid of him. If I were Prospero, I would have a severe monthly payment punishment-plan installed for Caliban. Near the end of the play, after Properso reveals the conspiracies of all those against him, there is no harsh punishment as one would imagine. He basically just demands repentance. Forgiveness is one of the themes in this play, and here Prospero demonstrates it. Even though Caliban conspir
There are many themes in this play, and one of them is transfiguration. That is when a character like Prospero undergoes transformation that, in acknowledging it, would help understand and accept his contradictories. At first he is a scholar of magic, then becomes vengeful in his attitude through supernatural means, and by the closing of the play he recognizes his limitations and learns forgiveness, and also transcends magic altogether. In the beginning he says "my library/Was dukedom large enough" (1.ii.109-110), but at the end he returns to Milan to resume his proper position as a leader of society. He is indeed a complex character. Prospero, however, also shows that he is not perfect, unlike a god. He makes the mistake of leaving the governing to his brother Antonio who then drove him out of Milan. Later, he lovingly educates the monster Caliban and gives him freedom. Caliban returns the kindness by trying to rape his daughter. Prospero makes the same mistake with both of them. He fails to keep them in their proper position. As a perfect ruler, this would be his responsibility. es with Stephano and Trinculo to kill him, he refrains from punishing Caliban ("Go, sirrah, to my cell;/Take with you your companions. As you look/To have my pardon, trim it handsomely." 5.ii.291-293). You face a fundamental problem in trying to analyzing Propero b
Some common words found in the essay are:
Stephano Trinculo, Gonzalo Miranda, Ariel Caliban, , Ferdinand Speak, Caliban Near, Caliban Prospero, Thanks Ariel, Miranda Prospero, proper position, makes mistake, themes play,
Approximate Word count = 927
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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