The Tempest, Act I: Prospero's Manipulative Character

Prospero is a name derived from the Spanish word prospero, meaning happy, prosperous, and successful. Prospero proves to be quite an efficacious character in Act I of Shakespeare's The Tempest. His sly nature allows him to control those around him as he falsely displays affection towards them. For example, Prospero leads Ariel to believe that he has done so much for Ariel and that Ariel practically owes him his life. When Ariel complains even for a second, Prospero is quick to hush him. He questions Ariel “Hast thou forgot the foul witch Sycorax, who with age and envy was grown into a hoop? Hast thou forgot her?”  He reminds Ariel of his torturous past and tells him that he should not forget who is responsible for his sparing. In this way, Prospero manipulates Ariel into believing that Prospero is a good man and should be repayed.

Prospero uses his cunning tactics on his own daughter, Miranda. As he tells her the story of his past, he makes sure that she is intently listening and completely interested in his words. He asks “Dost thou attend me?” "Dost thou hear?" She obediently assures him that she is listening and hanging on his every word. This pleases Prosperous to know he has her undivided attention. Prospero proves to be manipulative once again when Ferdinand, the new king of Naples, arrives on shore. Ferdinand and Miranda fall in love at first sight as Prospero has planned; however, it is not enough. He meddles with her love life even further by personally placng hardships into the young couple's relationship. He leads Miranda to believe that he does not trust Ferdinand when indeed he has planned for them to be together in the first place. In 1984, O'Brien leads Julia and Winston to believe that they are all part of an organization against Big Brian, but O'Brien has been working against them all along just as Prospero is playing two different roles in this scene.

Lastly, Prospero's decietful character can be seen through his relationship with Caliban. Caliban described how he had love for Prospero when he fist set foot on the island. Caliban showed Prospero every aspect of the land and in return, Prospero taught Caliban his language.  Caliban took advantage of Prospero's kindness and tried to harm his daughter, Miranda. Therefore, Prospero turned away from Caliban and shut him in a cave to live as his servant. Prospero inflicts fear upon Caliban with threats of severe pain so that Caliban will obey Prospero's demands. This is similar to the way O'Brien inflicts fear and pain upon Winston in order to conform Winston to the ways of the Party.