Wow what a great play, its actually thrilling which is rare for an oldie play! The characters develop well throughout the play

Characters
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Prospero
· Aged 40 - 45 but looks older
· Name means to be 'prosperus' and to bring ' good fortune'
· Learned, intelligent man
· Deposed from his position as the duke of Milan by his brother Antonio
· Usually dressed as a magician or wizard to symbolise his knowledge
· Living in exile on the island for the last 12 years


Miranda
· Prospero's daughter aged 15
· Mother died in childbirth
· Name means a mirror or wonder in Latin
· Living with her father on the island


Ariel
· Ariel is a spirit
· An original inhabitant of the island
· Usually played by a singer, a dancer or a gymnast
· Often staged flying through the air
· Sings


Caliban
· Aged 24
· Name means cannibal, uncivilized and Son of the witch Sycorax who ruled the island until her death
· Also an original inhabitant of the island
· Often portrayed as part man part beast, deformed, hunchbacked with fins. Can be showed as a Negro or a North American Indian
· The actor will always play the part close to the ground
· Ariel and Caliban are contrasted


Antonio
· Prospero's brother
· Betrayed prospero to his enemy the duke of Naples
· Had prospero and Miranda placed in a rotting boat and sent drifting out to sea and to their deaths
· He is now the duke of Milan




Gonzalo
· A kindly noble gentleman
· Made the boat seaworthy hence saving their lives
· Friend to Alonso the king of Naples
Alonso
· King of Naples
· Enemy to prospero
· Daughter newly married to the king of Tunisia
· Hew is returning from the wedding when his ship is caught in the storm: The tempest


Sebastian
· King Alonso's brother
· Evil


Trinkulo
· Name means to drink heavily
· He is king Alonso's jester, joker
· Usually wears a pointed hat and bells


Stephano
· King Alonso's butler
· He is usually drunk

Well I've told you a little about the characters but heres a bit more about Prospero...
Prospero: Loving Father or revengeful Tyrant

Right from the beginning of the play "The Tempest" by William Shakespeare, the main character, Prospero appears to be an intriguing, diverse personality.
For much of the play he displays a loving tender nature, which is evident in his affection for his daughter Miranda.
In act 1 we see this side to his character very clearly as he explains to her that they are stranded on this mysterious island because he had his dukedom, Milan, taken from him by his evil brother Antonio. He reassures Miranda that everything he is doing is for her future well being as he loves her so dearly. Prospero cannot understand why Antonio has treated him this way, a brother whom he used to adore and care for.
Further on in the play we once again see Prospero showing his loving and caring nature as he persistently reminds Miranda how much he loves her. He tells her that when they were cast away, her smile was what kept him going and gave him the will to live.
Prospero also shows his thoughtful and emotional nature when he first comes to the island as he takes Caliban, the son of the evil witch Sycorax, into his cell. Caliban remembers how Prospero would "strok'st" him and "made much of him". Later on, yet again in this scene, Prospero shows his thoughtfulness when he remembers that Caliban tried to rape Miranda. This shows that Prospero is always contemplating things, even things that happened a long time ago.
In act 1, we see another clear example of Prospero's affectionate nature. When the love and consideration that King Alonso's son, Ferdinand and Miranda show towards each other, moves him.
Later on Prospero again shows how much he loves his daughter, although he does not want to let her go, he feels that Ferdinand is a worthy husband for her. Prospero tells Ferdinand that he is worthy to take 'a third of' his 'own life' meaning that he can marry Miranda. The phrase 'a third of' suggests that along with himself and Miranda there is one other important part of his life. Although we are not told what this third part is he could either be referring to an estranged wife/Miranda's mother, his dukedom, Milan, or even his magical 'art'!
Also Prospero warns against having sex with Miranda before they are married
'If thou dost break her virgin knot'
During this phrase prospero uses many short and sharp words to show Ferdinand how serious he is.
In act 4 Prospero shows a deep feeling of love and affection towards his servant Ariel. Ariel speaks to Prospero and asks if he loves her, without hesitation Prospero replies 'dearly my delicate Ariel'. The adverb 'dearly' and adjective 'delicate' are both very personal and very soft sounding words that show Prospero has feelings for Ariel.
Towards the end of the play Prospero exhibits his thoughtful and grateful nature towards Gonzalo, ironically a friend of King Alonso (the man who helped Antonio to overthrow him!) He remembers how Gonzalo 'The noble Neapolitan' saved his and Miranda's life by patching up the derelict boat that they were cast away in. Prospero speaks of Gonzalo as being a 'Noble Neapolitan' the word noble shows the respect and depth of feeling for the man who saved his life.

However his revengeful, authorotive nature is clearly portrayed throughout the play.
Although he clearly loves his daughter he enjoys having a sense of control over her and is quick to ask her 'dost thou hear?' and I pray thee mark me' when he feels that she may not be paying him her full attention!
Prospero later says that the people of Milan loved him, but throughout the play there is no evidence of this. When he ruled Milan he almost certainly liked to be in complete control but ruling in this way would not make the people love him!
Throughout the play Ariel, the sprite rescued from the evil witch Sycorax, does Prospero's bidding for him, he says he loves her yet he accuses the 'malignant thing' of lying. The word 'malignant' shows how badly Prospero treats people when he is angry. Malignant is a very derogatory term showing at this moment Prospero has a great deal of hatred for Ariel.
Prospero has a very arrogant nature. He likes to think that he is a superior being. He believes that his 'art' is more powerful than that of the evil witch Sycorax, who used to inhabit the island; because he freed Ariel from a small tree that Sycorax had confined her to he believes that he has stronger magic.
Prospero controls Caliban by violence, he says that he will '...rack thee bones with old cramps' if Caliban does not do what he commands him to. This is again an example of Prospero using his powers to be in control; 'with old cramps' means Prospero will give Caliban arthritis.
Prospero likes to control events with his 'art' ensuring that he is in control for the entire time. Prospero especially enjoys it when people are amazed by his power and magic, especially when Ferdinand was amazed at the masque that Prospero had created.
Prospero is very manipulative and always thinking of himself. He is pleased when he sees that his plan to bring together Miranda and Ferdinand is succeeding, but he is not pleased that Miranda has fallen in love... he is pleased because his Grandchildren will be heirs to the throne in Naples and Milan so he will be able to return to civilisation.
Near the end of the play we once again see how easily angered he is. Prospero is engrossed in the masque that the nymphs are performing; he is so engrossed that he completely forgets about Caliban, Trinkulo and Stephano who are plotting against him. When Prospero remembers Caliban's plot to kill him, he abruptly stops the masque and tells Ariel they must go and prepare for Caliban's attack. Prospero gets extremely angry- possibly because he has been in complete command for the whole play but now he is ill prepared and no longer in control.

In conclusion, having read the play, I think that Prospero is a very affectionate man towards his daughter and really loves her, but he also has a very authorotive and revengeful side, which he frequently shows towards his enemies.
During his stay on the island he has learned that he must forgive people and has realised that he must stop being selfish. Prospero selfishly abandoned Milan as he was too engulfed in his magic, but he now realises that his people should have come before his own personal needs.
It has now become clear to him that being selfish can lead to unfortunate circumstances.
Towards the end of the play Prospero has become a changed man. He sees that he had to change and learn to forgive in order for Miranda and Ferdinand's marriage to be successful as Ferdinand is the son of King Alonso. The phrase
'The rarer action is
In virtue than in vengeance'
shows that Prospero has learned forgiveness is a better option.
Prospero has made one great sacrifice- letting go of his daughter. Now that Miranda is going to get married Prospero realises that he will see much less of the child he adores so much.
It is a very symbolic moment when Prospero gives up his 'art', he removes his magic garments and changes back into what he wore in Milan, this shows that he has realised that relationships and communication are more important than his 'art'.

I dont want to spoil the story line so I have just run through some of the themes instead!


Themes
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Supernatural
· At this period of time (1600) people believed in the supernatural as they were uneducated and science had not developed to give rational explanations for events that happened.
· They believed that there were white witches and wizards derived from god.
· Prospero's 'magic', 'art' symbolises the moral, spiritual and intellectual values of a superior civilization.
· He uses his magic so that all characters learn the error of their ways and change for the better by the end of the play. 'Harmony': Peace
· He also uses his powers to create entertainment for his daughter.
· There was also black magic: of the devil!


The Mysterious work of god
· Note the many references in the play to god and prayer
· To blaspheme at sea was to take gods grace from the ship and hence it would be doomed.

Music
· People at that time believed that music was able to bring about harmony, and would make all people civil, noble and well balanced.
· Music constantly fills the air in the play

Revenge and forgiveness


Government and responsibility of power
· The play shows how personal ambition can disrupt government and law
· It shows how society can disintegrate into chaos and confusion if not well governed. It shows that a head of state must sacrifice his own private interests for the good of the people he serves
· It considers the responsibility of people who found new lands and the way they treated the native inhabitants who lived there.
Civility and savagery: master and servant
· The play shows that people have a moral duty to treat people equally
· Shakespeare justifies colonisation as it brought art,order,intelligence and religion to native inhabitants.
· However he suggests that by educating them there is a risk of corrupting them
· Shakespeare questions whether it is possible to change eons nature by nurture.

Civility and savagery: master and servant

· The play shows that people have a moral duty to treat people equally
· Shakespeare justifies colonisation as it brought art, order, intelligence and religion to native inhabitants.
· However he suggests that by educating them there is a risk of corrupting them
· Shakespeare questions whether it is possible to change ones nature by nurture


Golden age
· The play shows Shakespeare's nostalgia for a perfect world that was supposedly in existence a long time ago where war, work, laws social and political organisations were not needed as everyone lived in harmony together: A garden of Eden: paradise
· The island is seen as this idealistic place: a place of wonder somewhere new with exotic flora and fauna