Relationship between Prospero and Ariel

Ariel is a unique character of Shakespeare. In the delineation of this character,

Shakespeare’s genius shines at its greatest as Ariel is a link between the human
and the supernatural worlds. He is a spirit but moves in the human sphere. He
combines spirit like qualities with human attributes and herein lies the originality
of this portraiture. Ariel as the name implies is the spirit of the air but he is
equally at home on Earth, at sea or in the fire. He can swim, fly or penetrate the
earth. Before Prospero came to the island Ariel who is without shape or size, but
capable of assuming every shape and size had been held in captivity for 12 years
by the witch, Sycorax. Prospero, the Duke of Milan, who had been deported from
Milan by his jealous younger brother , by chance landed on this island. Prospero
was a devoted student of the magical arts, heard the pitiful groans of Ariel when
he came onto the island. He opened the cloven pine tree with his magic and
released Ariel.

When we first encounter Ariel, he was in a melancholic mood as Prospero had

ordered him to do tasks and was postponing his promise of setting him free. Even
though Ariel was affectionate towards Prospero, we learn at the very beginning
that Ariel was not a servant by nature. He primarily wanted his liberty but
knowing that it would come if he could keep Prospero happy, served Prospero
whole heartedly. Even though he sought his freedom, he performed his duties
quite well and Prospero very often used words of encouragement and
endearment like, ‘My brave spirit’, ‘fine apparition’ etc. he performed all his
services with great skill and perfection. When Prospero asked him, ‘Has thou spirit
performed to point the Tempest that i bade thee?’, Ariel replied ‘to every article’.

We got to know that it was Prospero’s magical power which was carried out by
Ariel who was responsible for the storm in the beginning of the play. Flying above
the ship , he flamed amazement. When everyone except the crew had abandoned
the ship, Ariel made sure as Prospero had requested, that all were brought safely
to the shore. Ariel reported that the king’s son was alone and the mariners and
the boatswain had been charmed to sleep in the ship which had been brought
safely to the harbour. The rest of the fleet that was with the ship, believing it to
have been destroyed by the storm was heading back to Naples.Thus from
showing up as a fire on the ship, to his appearance as a harpy to the great traitors,
his skill in using poetic words even about the serious things and his ability to sing
as when required made him an exceptional character.

Prospero thanked Ariel for his service and when Ariel took that moment to
remind Prospero of his promise to take one year off of his agreed time of
servitude if Ariel could perform his tasks without complains, Prospero did not take
it in the right spirit and chastised Ariel for his impudence. Ariel was reminded of
where he came from and how Prospero rescued him. Prospero even threatened
Ariel that he would imprison him for twelve more years in an oak tree if he
continued with his complains.

Ariel was bound to Prospero by a feeling of gratitude, barring one instance when
he showed impatience for setting him so many tasks and delaying his liberation,
he showed devotion to him which was rarely found in spirits. His playful nature
was shown by the jests with which he created a war of words between Stephano
and Trinculo. The music of Ariel rolled irresistibly on the island. His music
diminished the fury and the passion of the waves and lured Ferdinand towards his
cell. His music even awakened Gonzalo at the time when Sebastian and Antonio
were about to murder King Alonso.

Ariel was not only known for his magic but also for his empathy and goodness.
These traits are lacking in some of the human characters and Ariel’s feelings made
it more conspicuous. Most telling was his report on these traitors, Antonio,
Sebastian and Alonso when Prospero asked Ariel, ‘Say my spirit how fares the king
ands’t followers.’ Ariel replied, ‘the king, his brother and yours abide all three
distracted/ and the remainder mourning over them.’ Ariel claimed that their state
was so pathetic that if Prospero saw them he would be moved to mercy and
sympathy. He thought he himself would have the same tenderness were he
human. While we are reminded that this is a spirit of non-human nature, he
seems filled with angelic grace even about human matters.

Prospero thus transformed from a revenge thirsty magician to a human being

with the capacity to forgive his enemies and feel tenderness towards those who
had betrayed him. In other words, Ariel’s spirit was the catalyst for Prospero’s
change. Without Ariel, Prospero might never have learnt that the rarer action is in
virtue than in revenge. Although there was a master slave persona between
Prospero and Ariel. Prospero considered Ariel more than just a slave for
occasionally he would ask Ariel for his opinion which one would not do otherwise.

Ariel could traverse the length of the island in an instant and could change shapes
at will. He carried out virtually every task, that Prospero wanted. Shakespeare
used Ariel as someone who was essential and without whom the charm and
magic would not have been realized. The Tempest would not be Tempest if it
were not for Ariel.