A Tool of Vengeance


In the Tempest, I think that Shakespeare uses the character, Ariel, as a tool of vengeance.  Ariel has magic abilities and was enslaved in a tree by Sycorax, but after she died, Prospero released him and made him a servant.  He is a loyal subject to Prospero in return for his freedom.  Prospero's revenge on the ship of nobles who shipwrecked him was primarily fueled by Ariel's magic.  Ariel conjures up the storm and puts men to sleep in order to get into their heads and begin to turn them against each other.  Ariel became a tool for Prospero's revenge.  Prospero keeps him enslaved for as long as he needs his abilities and then promises to set him free.  As a tool of vengeance, Ariel is forced to answer to Prospero as his master and carry out any of his desires.  He is a slave to Prospero and will never be treated as an equal even after his freedom.

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 26, 2017 at 5:05 PM

    Caroline,

    I find it interesting how you paint Prospero in such an unlikeable light. I agree that Prospero was using Ariel for his dirty-work, and refused to free him until Prospero was satisfied with the work that had been done. However, I do not feel as though Prospero would not treat him as an equal. Clearly Ariel is not actually a human, rather an invisible being, but Prospero seems to respect him, at least to me. Prospero even praises Ariel's work with taking care of the men, and making sure they follow the plan. I think that Prospero would treat a freed Ariel with kindness since he is responsible for everything that happened. If you were talking about Caliban, I would agree 100% with you that he would never be treated nicely after getting his freedom.

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