Prospero Character Analysis

‘Is Prospero a good ruler in the play The Tempest?’

In Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’, there is evidence both for and against the idea that ‘Prospero is a good ruler’. On one hand, he successfully conjures a plans and escapes from the island he is currently imprisoned on and also eventually gains his title back once returning to Milan. He is a powerful father for his daughter and torments those who may disobey his orders. But on the other hand, his slack approach to his role as Duke Of Milan led to his removal in the first place and there are also elements of cruelty and abused power that he continues to show throughout the play.

Prospero 's magical powers allow him to single-handedly take control of a situation slowly developing chaos,

This could be supported by the following quote, “ Go charge my goblins that they grind their joints”. The word grind is particularly effective because it is an unpleasant and disturbing sound. Furthermore, the word ‘Goblins’ shows that he doesn 't do his own dirty work but commands other to do it. Also a ‘goblin’ is a creature that is ugly and dirty and is commonly associated with being a villain . It might be argued that Prospero is saying that his Goblins should be sent to kill Caliban and the word ‘grind’ displays a gruesome image, even though it appears Caliban has done nothing wrong. On the over hand, Caliban wants revenge for Prospero taking over his rightful land so it makes Caliban seem like a victim. Overall the quote shows that Prospero thinks of Caliban is dangerous and wants to kill

On the island he meets Ariel, who was imprisoned in a tree for twelve years by sycorax and allows Ariel to become his accomplice. Whilst Ariel continues to help Prospero, Prospero seems to keep pushing then deadline of the time when Ariel is free from Prospero. Without Ariel as his accomplice, Prospero would not be able to gain his freedom and neither grant Ariel his freedom as if they were bonded in a mysterious friendship. This shows how desperate Prospero was to get of the island that he limited someone else 's freedom till he had his. I think Prospero began to trust Ariel as he had loyally served him. Because Ariel created the shipwreck and describes how he cause the ship to sink, shows that Ariel was willing to do anything for Prospero and thinks very highly of him. Whilst Prospero creates an agreement with Ariel and they soon become allies, Prospero also developed enemies. Before meeting Ariel, Prospero met Caliban. Caliban guided Caliban around the island and in return Prospero taught Caliban the language he used. However, in later events, Caliban tried to rape Miranda , which made Prospero angry and he therefore he banished Caliban as his slave. He begins to treat Caliban as if has the ‘red plague’. This shows that Prospero thinks that Caliban is deadly and the red plague is often related with death and is