The Tempest Act I

There are several clear instances where Prospero is able to manipulate others on the island through the use of rhetoric. Prospero holds total control over both of his servants. Ariel and Caliban are both forced to obey and submit the authority of their maser, Prospero. These instances occur when both of his slaves grow weary of their positions and express their desires for freedom. After Ariel completes his job of causing the ship to wreck, he reminds Prospero that “You promised to take a full year off my sentence” (Shakespeare 33). Prospero does not put up with Ariel’s request, and he reminds Ariel where he came from. He refers to the past and tells Ariel “You know better than anyone how tortured you were when I found you. Your groans made wolves howl, and even made bears feel sorry for you” (37). Prospero immediately hits Ariel with a narrative from the past and makes him feel sorry for complaining about his position. Ariel resubmits to his master’s authority once he is reminded of where he came from and how much better off he is. Prospero’s use of rhetoric is effective enough to hold total control over his servant.

Prospero narratives also work to some extent on his other slave, Caliban. Caliban disobeys in a more crude manner, but ultimately, Caliban knows he is not strong enough to overpower Prospero. Prospero visits Caliban and gives him orders and duties that he is to follow. However, Caliban replies disrespectfully and Prospero threatens him by saying, “I’ll send goblins out at night to work their nasty deeds on you. You’ll be pricked all over, and it’ll sting like bees” (43). Prospero refers to the supernatural and orders Caliban to obey him. Although Caliban does not willingly accept Prospero’s task, he cooperates for fear of being attacked by the supernatural. Prospero’s use of rhetoric proves to work effectively on Caliban. Although Caliban does not want to submit to the authority, Prospero’s use of narratives allows him to completely reign over Caliban.