the stage like a director All other characters Ariel Caliban Ferdinand Alonso Antonio and Sebastian move according to his plan Prospero as a Seeker of Justice The story of The Tempest begins with Prospero s past He was once the Duke of Milan but was betrayed by his brother Antonio and King Alonso of Naples They threw him and baby Miranda into the sea By Gonzalo s kindness he reached the island and built a new life This event makes Prospero both a victim and a seeker of justice He says to Miranda My brother and thy uncle call d Antonio He whom next thyself Of all the world I loved This line shows his pain and love His desire to make things right gives the play its central purpose Prospero as a Magician Prospero s magical power makes him a god-like figure in the play With his books and staff he commands the spirit Ariel and controls nature itself He creates storms causes illusions and tests people s hearts Ariel calls him great master Ariel shows deep respect for him Prospero s power shows the union of knowledge and nature Yet he uses his magic not for cruelty but to guide others toward repentance This shows his control over both the storm and the human mind His art gives shape and motion to every scene Prospero as a Father and Teacher As a father Prospero shows tenderness and wisdom He educates Miranda He protects her innocence He protects her from Caliban He guides her love for Ferdinand He allows them to fall in love but tests Ferdinand s honesty first He says I have done nothing but in care of thee Of thee my dear one thee my daughter This line shows that his love for Miranda is pure and protective His fatherly role adds emotion and humanity to the story This balances his power with kindness Prospero as a Symbol of Forgiveness and Humanity At the end Prospero becomes a symbol of forgiveness Though he has full power to punish his enemies he chooses mercy instead He forgives Antonio Alonso and even Caliban He breaks his staff and gives up his magic This proves that compassion is stronger than revenge He says The rarer action is In virtue than in vengeance This line shows his moral greatness By forgiving he restores harmony and peace The play begins with a tempest of anger but ends with calm under Prospero s goodness Thus Prospero is the soul of The Tempest He creates the storm and ends it with peace Every action begins and ends with him He rules the island guides the people and forgives his enemies His power is not in magic but in mercy He is the heart the mind and the meaning of the play