Master and Servant Relationships

Essay by gap4ever012 June 2004

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In the play "The Tempest," by William Shakespeare, there are masters with many servants, such as Prospero has a servants and one of them is Caliban. Caliban is Prospero's slave, frequently referred to as a monster by the other characters. Another one of Prospero's servants is Ariel. Ariel is Prospero's servant until Prospero decides to release him.

Prospero's servant, Caliban says that Prospero stole the island from him in Act 1 scene 2. Through this speech, Caliban says that his situation is like Prospero's, whose brother usurped his throne. The relationship between Prospero and Caliban is forceful; Caliban's desire for controlling the island is the same as what led Antonio to overthrow Prospero. But, Prospero possessions and use of magic is very powerful, and he uses it to get back at Caliban.

Ariel is Prospero's spirit helper. Ariel was rescued by Prospero from a long imprisonment by the witch Sycorax. He carries out every task Prospero needs accomplished in the play. The relationship between Ariel and Prospero is as harsh as the relationship between Prospero and Caliban. Ariel does mostly everything Prospero wishes him to do but when Ariel reminds his master of his promise to relieve him of his duties early if he performs them willingly, in Act 1 Scene 2, Prospero bursts into fury and threatens to return him to Sycorax.