Within the various plays that William Shakespeare wrote throughout his life, there are numerous characters that go through various trials and tribulations. Some of these hardships that these characters go through involve tough decision making that sometimes lead them down treacherous paths that result in their demise. There are good and bad parts of these characters, but many of them have a moment of clarity in their journey to destruction. Prospero, who occupies the leading role in The Tempest, is one such character who seems to have good intentions, but acts incorrectly in an effort to accomplish his own personal goals. Caliban and Ariel are his two "slaves" on the island who appear to represent both good and evil, as well as help intensity the feeling of captivity that Prospero feels every day. Therefore, the roles of Caliban and Ariel help the reader further understand the good and bad side of Prospero's character.
The more atrocious, vicious, and evil side of Prospero appears to be represented through the character Caliban. Love gives this description: "Caliban, the play's most astonishing character, "a born devil, on whose nature/nurture can never stick" (Love 124). Justifiably, Caliban is very resentful towards his master and this resentfulness is shown through his constant cursing and overall mannerisms. Caliban's mannerisms and overall nature represent the inner feelings of Prospero that he has never really had the chance to let out. Prospero has lived the entirety of his life on this island hating his brother Antonio and letting this hate grow and flourish each and every day. This is also true of Caliban's hate for Prospero. However, there was a time when "Prospero once appeared genuinely to care for the monstrously shaped Caliban" (Shin 374). This shows that even though Prospero's hate-filled heart has caused him to make some terrible and cruel decisions, he still has the ability to care for other people and form relationships.
