Prospero

Prospero is one of the main characters in the drama. He is a magician who lost his Dukedom while immersed in esoteric studies, now seeking revenge from his brother Antonio. He commands the spirit Ariel and the deformed Caliban as his subjects, using the former for material manipulation and the latter for common tasks. His vendetta with his brother is one of the central themes in the whole drama, as the whole play leads up to their final confrontation.

Prospero can be heartfelt as well as cruel. He is less than gracious towards his subjects, although he carries a soft spot for his daughter Miranda. When addressing Ferdinand, he is not unlike a typical father concerned for his daughter's wellbeing.

Prospero is believed by many to be Shakespeare's own personification of himself. Prospero's monologue, the final piece of the last Act, is reminiscent of a farewell to the world from Shakespeare himself. As Prospero was practically isolated from the world before returning to Naples, this section may lend evidence to Shakespeare's own view of his life as a playwright- lonely.