How Does Shakespeare Show the Multi Facitated Character of Prospero?

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How does Shakespeare show the multi facitated character of Prospero? In the play the Tempest, Shakespeare conveys the character Prospero as a many-faced character. He explores the main sides of Prospero; a master, father and man. Prospero is shown in these three ways by how he acts towards the other characters in the play, his intentions and emotions. As the play starts we are suddenly launched into tempest at sea. This is the doings of the master of Prospero. Forcing his enslaved servant but friend Ariel to muster up a horrendous storm to break up a ship of men. We see the more cruel side to Prospero as he sends the storm upon the men leaving many thinking that the other half of their crew are lost out at sea. Ariels help is greatly needed by Prospero which we see when he hastily reminds Ariel what he has done for him, ‘dost thou from what torment I did free thee?’ Even though Ariel is a good friend to Prospero and respects him dearly Prospero still uses Ariel for his own benefit a lot of the time. (Prospero rescued Ariel from an evil curse by the evil witch Sycorax.) When Ariel try’s to ask for his freedom, ‘I pithee, remember I have done thee worthy service.’ Prospero becomes very defensive but soon changes his mind and tells Ariel he will be set free in two days. We are told that Ariel has serviced Prospero for twelve years and has carried out his commands very well. ‘To every article’ he replies when asked how well he carried out the task, to which Prospero replied ‘ My brave spirit!’ this shows that Prospero does value and praises Ariel a lot. We have already been shown the two ways that Prospero can act towards one of the character. On one hand he is very caring and supportive of Ariel but then uses him for his magical powers and doesn’t want to give him his well-earned freedom. Another character in the play that Prospero acts two different ways to is

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