Prospero often uses kind words when speaking to Ariel, such as "My brave spirit!", "My bird". However, Prospero only ever speaks to Caliban in a harsh and cruel way. The first Prospero's greeting in the play to Caliban is: .
"Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself.
Upon thy wicked dam, come forth!" (25).
Prospero treats Ariel better because Ariel does things for him and he therefore wants to keep Ariel sweet.
The relationship between Prospero and Caliban can be seen as the relationship between the colonist and the savage native .Previous to Prospero's arrival on the island, Caliban was his own king, he had a freedom , he knows his island very well. Caliban is extremely knowledgeable in nature and he speaks his own language. When Prospero arrived on the island he took charge of the island and imprisoned Caliban. Prospero was his teacher, he taught Caliban to speak so he can be civilized.
" I pitied thee,.
Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour.
One things or other-(26).
Caliban already speaks his own language and does not desire to be like other civilized men, he is a man of nature.
Also, Prospero is the father and teacher of his daughter Miranda. He teaches her right from wrong and educates her in the ways of the world. Prospero took great point in order to educate his daughter:.
"Here in this island we arrived; and here.
Have I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit.
Than other princess can, that have more time.
For vainer hours and tutors not so careful."(19).
Paul Brown in his essay states: "In his powerful narrative, Prospero interpellates the various listeners-calls for them, as it were, and invites them to recognize themselves as subjects of his discourse, as beneficiaries of his civil largesse. Thus for Miranda hr is a strong father who educates and protects her; for Ariel he is a rescuer and taskmaster; for Caliban he is a colonizer whose refused offer off civilization forces him to strict discipline; for the shipwrecked he is a surrogate providence who corrects errant aristocrats and punishes plebeian revolt.
