Prospero manipulates everyone to do his will.

Miranda

Prospero begins by telling Miranda stories of how his greedy brother drove him out of Milan.

These stories however are never proven and we have no idea whether they are completely accurate or not.

These stories allow Prospero’s actions to be deemed appropriate in Miranda’s view, thus the manipulation takes force in controlling Miranda’s opinions, for the first time.

Miranda

Prospero keeps Miranda’s attention and encourages her belief in the story by again and again asking if she hears him;

“Dost thou attend me?” Act 1.2 Line 78 “Dost thou hear?” Act 1.2 Line 106 Miranda assures him she is listening

and believing; “Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.” Act 1.2 Line 107

Miranda

Prospero manipulates Miranda a second time when he makes sure that Ferdinand is the first of the shipwrecked men that she sees by getting Ariel to place them around the island in certain groups;

“The King’s son have I landed by himself” Act 1.2 Line 221 “Ariel, thy charge Exactly is performed “ Act 1.2 Line 238-9

Miranda’s reaction to Ferdinand is proof of the success of this second manipulation;

“I might call him A thing divine, for nothing natural I ever saw so noble” Act 1.2 Line

418-420

Miranda

Ferdinand

Prospero manipulates him by making sure that Miranda is the first human he sees on the island, casting her in light of a saviour, an angel;

“O, if a virgin, And your affection not gone forth,

I’ll make you The Queen of Naples.” Act 1.2 Line 448

Ferdinand

Prospero manipulates Ferdinand again by making him work for Miranda, this increases his attraction to her, as expected;

“Might I but through my prison once a day Behold this maid.” Act 1.2 Line 490-1 “for your sake Am I this patient log-man.” Act 3.1 Line 66 “They are both in either’s powers; but this

swift business I must uneasy make, lest to light winning Make the prize light.”

Act 1.2 Line 449-452

Ariel

Prospero releases Ariel from a tree that Sycorax (the old ruler of the island) trapped him in;

“Into a cloven pine, within which rift Imprisoned thou didst painfully

remain A dozen years” Act 1.2 Line 277-279 This puts Ariel in Prospero’s debt and

Prospero manipulates this situation to make Ariel his servant.

Ariel

Prospero also tells Ariel that he will release him from his servitude if he completes these final tasks well;

“Do so, and after two days I will discharge thee.” Act 1.2 Line 297-

298 “Thou shalt be as free As mountain winds; but then exactly do All points of my command.” Act 1.2 Line

494 However Prospero says this many times

throughout the play but does not fulfil this promise by the end of the play.

Ariel

Prospero’s parting line to Ariel is unfortunately another promise and we have no proof that it is ever fulfilled.

“Bravely, my diligence. Thou shalt be free.”

Act 5.1 Line 242 This allows us to come to the

conclusion that the only use that promising Ariel freedom had was Ariel’s servitude.

Caliban

Prospero and Caliban were originally able to converse and share knowledge but Prospero manipulated this situation after Caliban attempts to have a relationship with Miranda.

Prospero issues many threats to Caliban in order to control him;

“For this, be sure, tonight thou shalt have cramp” Act 1.2 Line 325

This negative enforcement results in Caliban’s hatred of Prospero but he still remains in Prospero’s power.

Antonio & Sebastian

Antonio appears to manipulate Sebastian by encouraging him to kill King Alonso and take his place just like Antonio banishing Prospero to the island.

“Noble Sebastian, Thou let’st thy fortune sleep – die,

rather; wink’st Whiles thou art waking.” Act 2.1 Line 215-217 However it is in fact Prospero who

manipulates the situation by getting Ariel to put Alonso and Gonzalo to sleep giving Sebastian and Antonio a chance to show their true colours.

Antonio & Sebastian

Prospero continues this manipulation by not telling King Alonso and Gonzalo what they were going to do;

“But you, my brace of lords, were I so minded I here could pluck his highness’ frown upon you And justify you traitors. At this time I will tell no tales.” Act 5.1 Line 128

King Alonso & Gonzalo

Prospero manipulates Gonzalo by his guilt for letting Antonio banish him to the island.

“First, noble friend, Let me embrace thine age, whose honour cannot Be measured or confined.”

“Whether this be Or be not, I’ll not swear.”

Act 5.1 Line 120-124

Trinculo and Stephano

Prospero uses the wine to manipulate these two and this unveils their natural leap from servant status to possible power and how it consumes them.

This allows Prospero to be in control of the situation because they are not in full self-control.

“I will kill this man. His daughter and I will be king and queen – save our graces! – and Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys. Dost thou like the plot, Trinculo?” Act 3.2 Line 107-110

Prospero manipulates everyone therefore nobody has freewill other then Prospero.