How Does Ariel's Struggle For Power

In William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Ariel is one of the main characters who best illustrates a struggle to gain power. For example, Ariel states, “mine would, sir, were I human” (588, line 20). This proves Ariel is struggling for power because he is not human. He needs to have human rights to be So far, his life has been filled with servancy. He has had to be at Prospero’s beck and call. Another example, Ariel asks “On the sixth hour at which time,my lord, You said our work should cease,” [587, line 5 This furthers proves Ariel is really being treated like a slave just waiting for his moment of freedom. The struggle for freedom or his “power” clearly represents the theme of the play. Prospero has kept Ariel at his beck and call, so he can personally benefit from him/her. For instance, Prospero questions, “did I serve you well?”[594, line 241]. He is stressing himself and seeking acceptance from Prospero as he fears he might never get his freedom. Ariel also says “ I drink the air before me, and return Or ere your pulse twice beat,” [590, line 102]. Even as he has done all of prospero’s dirty work he still is afraid of not serving prospero to his liking. This fearfulness of displeasing prospero illustrates him searching for more power.

As an illustration, “All hail, great master! Grave sir, hail! I come to answer thy best pleasure” (520, line 189). This shows Arial is eager to do whatever Prospero asks since he calls him “master” and sir.” He also goes to him immediately. His entire goal is to bring him pleasure and serve him with joy in his heart. In addition, Prospero, after ariel asks for his freedom, goes back on his word “I did say so, when I first raised the tempest,” [587, line 6]. Ariel is just a slave to whatever Prospero’s whims are while he is enslaved to him. Prospero clearly doesn’t respect Ariel making in important for him to gain his