![]() ![]() Although there may well be a friend-like bond of mutual respect between the two characters, it soon becomes clear that Prospero is indeed in control of Ariel, who acts not unlike a right-hand man. ![]() Despite this elevated status, Ariel is obedient to his ‘noble master’ – even though it is he who conducts a great deal of Prospero’s magic. ![]() Prospero brings to mind the verb ‘to prosper’ – suggestive of magic and conjuring, while Ariel, described as an ‘airy spirit’ in the character list, has a name that notifies the audience that he is of the elements and can be considered a demi-god. Firstly, their names have interesting connotations. The relationship between Prospero and Ariel is a curious one. Ultimately, Act I, scene 2, introduces characteristics of Ariel that suggest that he has both Prospero’s respect and gratitude, but also that he is irrefutably subservient to his master. Shakespeare’s presentation of the nymph Ariel as both a powerful ‘brave spirit’ and the slave of Prospero (‘is there more toil? Since thou dost give me pains’) raises the question of whether Prospero has the right to summon and dismiss Ariel in such a dictatorial manner (‘Go. Indeed, the concept of power and its use within this scene, particularly in the context of the era – where the divine right of kings was unanimously accepted – provides the foundation for a full understanding of the play. Most notably, the themes of power, nature, and magic prove to be integral in shaping the audience’s perception of Ariel, Prospero, and the island itself. The introduction of Ariel in the second scene of The Tempest raises some of the central issues in William Shakespeare’s 17th-century play. ![]()
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