Character Analysis of The Tempest William Shakespeare's final play, The Tempest, is a story about Prospero (the rightful Duke of Milan). He is betrayed by his brother Antonio and left to die on a boat with his daughter Miranda. But things don't go as planned and Prospero and Miranda arrive on an island. Prospero seeks revenge. Returning from a wedding in Africa, a ship containing Prospero's enemies is attacked by a storm and scatters its passengers across the island. Prospero exhibits three major character traits: strength, protection, and forgiveness. Prospero is a very powerful person, and using his spell books he is able to conjure powerful magic. Perhaps the most powerful thing he controls is Ariel (a spirit). An example of this is when Prospero says "Have you, mind, Preformed to point, the storm that I have commanded you". (718) Ariel had the power to create a great sea storm and Prospero had the power to control Ariel, which gave him great power. Another reason Prospero is powerful is his knowledge of Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo's plot to kill the king. So when Prospero takes his place in Milan again, he will be under powerful blackmail in case he needs favors or they try something stupid. This way they will think twice before confronting Prospero. Especially since Miranda will become queen. These are the reasons why Prospero is powerful. Prospero protects those close to him, especially Miranda. Throughout The Tempest, Prospero slowly ensures that Ferdinand and Miranda's love will not quickly fall apart. Prospero even called Ferdinand a traitor just to make Miranda seem harder to get. This way, the couple won't become a lost cause. When Prospero says "They are both in the powers of one or the other. But I must be anxious about this quick affair, lest too light a victory make the prize light" (726), he reveals his true plan to Ariel that he wants to make Miranda harder to get. Indeed, Prospero thinks that their love will be stronger if it is more difficult to obtain. Prospero is also protective when he says that "the strongest oaths are straw to fire and blood" (764). This was told to Ferdinand after Prospero made him promise not to have sex with Miranda before their marriage. He is stunned to see that after his promise, Ferdinand has fun with Miranda..