Prospero- The rightful Duke of Milan that was exiled with his daughter after being usurped by his brother. He is extremely powerful and uses his "art" to control people and events throughout the play.
Miranda- The teenage daughter of Prospero who was exiled with him. She falls in love with Ferdinand in I.ii who is only the third man she has seen in her life. Ferdinand- Alonso's son who was stranded by himself after the shipwreck. He falls in love with Miranda in I.ii and becomes Prospero's servant. Alonso- The King of Naples who helped Antonio become the Duke of Milan. Sebastian- Alonso's brother who Antonio talked into trying to kill the King and steal his throne in II.i Antonio- Prospero's brother who stole his brother's title and had him exiled with the help of Alonso. Francisco and Adrian- Lords that were stranded with the King, Sebastian, Antonio, and Gonzalo. |
Gonzalo- A lord who Prospero described as "A noble Neopolitan" (I.ii.161). He supplied Prospero and Miranda with food, clothing, and books when they were exiled. In II.i Gonzalo is woken up by Ariel just in time to save himself and the King from being murdered.
Caliban- Prospero's slave that showed him the island since he is a native. He is said to be the son of the devil and a witch named Sycorax who Prospero defeated.
Trinculo- Alonso's jester and the first from the ship to discover Caliban. He tries to kill Prospero with Stephano and Caliban.
Stephano- Alonso's drunk butler who Caliban sees as God. He tries to kill Prospero with Trinculo and Caliban.
Ariel- An airy spirit who was freed by Prospero after being imprisoned by Sycorax. He then becomes Prospero's servant and carries out various tasks to make Prospero's plan work in exchange for his freedom. Ariel can change shapes and even be invisible to certain characters.
Iris, Ceres, Juno, nymphs, and reapers- Spirits conjured by Prospero in IV.i. Juno, Ceres, and Iris are part of Roman mythology. Juno is the protector of the state. Ceres is a goddess of agriculture. Iris is a messenger for the gods.
Caliban- Prospero's slave that showed him the island since he is a native. He is said to be the son of the devil and a witch named Sycorax who Prospero defeated.
Trinculo- Alonso's jester and the first from the ship to discover Caliban. He tries to kill Prospero with Stephano and Caliban.
Stephano- Alonso's drunk butler who Caliban sees as God. He tries to kill Prospero with Trinculo and Caliban.
Ariel- An airy spirit who was freed by Prospero after being imprisoned by Sycorax. He then becomes Prospero's servant and carries out various tasks to make Prospero's plan work in exchange for his freedom. Ariel can change shapes and even be invisible to certain characters.
Iris, Ceres, Juno, nymphs, and reapers- Spirits conjured by Prospero in IV.i. Juno, Ceres, and Iris are part of Roman mythology. Juno is the protector of the state. Ceres is a goddess of agriculture. Iris is a messenger for the gods.