By Nick Prario
Prospero – Often portrayed as the play’s protagonist, Prospero is Miranda’s father. Prior to the play, Prospero was the duke of Milan. However, twelve years before, his brother Antonio, with the help of Alonso, the king of Naples, usurped him, which forced him to flee in a boat with his daughter. Gonzalo, the honest and loyal lord, aided Prospero in his escape. Prospero has spent the last twelve years while on the island building refining his magical powers so that he may use them (whether to punish or forgive) upon his enemies.
Miranda – The daughter of Prospero, Miranda was brought to the island at an early age, and so has therefore never seen any other men besides her father and Caliban, though she has some faint memories from her child of being raised and cared for by female servants. Due to her long isolation from society and most other people, Miranda’s naiveté and innocence remain, even as she begins to enter womanhood, giving her a non-judgmental perception when viewing others. This innocence makes it fairly easy for her to fall in love with Ferdinand. Furthermore, she is compassionate, generous, and loyal to her father.
Ariel – Prospero’s spirit helper, Ariel seems to be a sort of wind spirit. Ariel is referred to in most criticisms, and depicted in most renditions of the play, as a male, however, his gender and physical form are actually left ambiguous in the play’s script itself. “He” was rescued by Prospero from a long imprisonment at the hands of the witch Sycorax (the former ruler of the isle). Ariel, being indebted to Prospero, serves as Prospero’s servant until Prospero decides to release him. He is somewhat of a trickster type character, mischievous and ubiquitous, and due to his spirit-like nature has the ability to traverse the length of the island in an instant as well as change shapes at will. He carries out virtually every task which Prospero requires of him in the play.
Caliban – Like Ariel, he is another one of Prospero’s servants. Caliban is the son of the now-deceased witch Sycorax, and the only true native of the isle. Upon Prospero’s arrival to the island years before, Caliban acquainted him with all of the features of the isle (i.e. locations of food, water, shelter). However, after doing so, Prospero harnessed the forces of nature and essentially tricked him into a life of servitude. Due to this, Caliban believes that the island rightfully belongs to him and that it has been stolen by Prospero. His speech and behavior is peculiar, for while he is sober it is more coarse and brutal, however in his drunken scenes with Stephano and Trinculo it sometimes becomes more eloquent and sensitive.
Ferdinand – He is the son and heir of Alonso, the King. In some ways Ferdinand seems to be as innocent and naive as Miranda. He falls in love with Miranda upon first sight and even willingly submits to servitude in order to win her father’s (Prospero’s) approval.
Alonso – The King of Naples and Ferdinand’s father, he helped Antonio twelve years prior in usurping and unseating Prospero as Duke of Milan. However, throughout the play, he becomes more and more aware of the consequences of all of his actions, and even comes to regret his role in the usurping of Prospero.
Antonio – Prospero’s brother. Antonio quickly demonstrates that he is both power-hungry and foolish. In Act II, scene I, he persuades Sebastian to kill Alonso in his sleep. When Gonzalo wakes up and catches the two with their swords drawn and about to commit the deed, Antonio goes along with Sebastian’s phony story about fending off lions.
Sebastian – Alonso’s brother. Like Antonio, he is both aggressive and cowardly. It’s fairly easy for Antonio to persuade him to kill his brother in Act II, scene i, and it is he who initiates the ridiculous story about lions when Gonzalo catches both him and Antonio with their swords drawn.
Gonzalo – He is an old lord, honest and loyal. Gonzalo helped Prospero and Miranda to escape Naples after Antonio usurped Prospero as Duke of Milan. Gonzalo’s speeches serve as an important commentary on the different events which occur throughout the play. Such as his remarks on the beauty of the island when the party (consisting of himself, Alonso, Antonio, and Sebastian) first lands upon the isle following their shipwreck.
Trinculo & Stephano – The comic relief of the play, Trinculo is a jester, while Stephano is a drunken butler. The two are minor members of the shipwrecked party. Upon their acquaintance with the servant Caliban, the two plot the demise of Prospero and their rise to power over the isle (which ultimately fails). The antics of the two, including their drunken boasting and greed, not only reflect but also lighten the mood of the power struggles which occur among their counterparts of a higher station (i.e. Alonso and company).
Boatswain – The Boatswain appears only in the first and last scenes of the plays, and appears to be fairly good-natured. During the shipwreck in scene one he does not panic, but instead seems to stay quite clear-headed, possibly even a bit cheerful. He doesn’t awaken from his long sleep until the end of the play, and that time appears to be surprised more than anything else.
Shakespeare Comes Alive! 