Other Characters

Alonso (Court Character)

King of Naples.
Is remorseful and wants forgiveness for his many sins, and even contemplates suicide for the crimes he has committed against Prospero.
He inspires others and has many devoted followers.
A gentle character, he spends most of the play sad and depressed as he fears he has lost his son in the storm.
Tired of Antonio and Sebastian’s continual sarcasm he is a serious character.

Antonio (Court Character)

Aggressive and unpleasant to almost everyone except Sebastian who is his close friend.
Plots the death of Alonso, desperate for power and control.
Ambition is his downfall according to Prospero, who calls him a traitor.

Ariel (Earth and Air Character)

The spirit of the air, under the complete control of Prospero.
Rescued from slavery by Prospero (ironic as he treats Ariel like a slave).
Obedient servant, he does as Prospero asks.
Refers to the elements air, earth, water and fire.
Can take on many shapes such as a Harpy, hounds and uses many voices.
Light and of the air.
Seems unhappy to be working for Prospero “is there more toil”.
Helps in the punishment and education of the other characters.
Often uses poetry to speak, showing his light nature.
Ariel is loyal. He states to Prospero that ‘…I have done thee worthy service / Told thee no lies, made no mistakings, serv’d / Without grudge or grumblings.’
One role he performs in the play is to provide music.

Ferdinand (Court Character)

Alonso’s son, Miranda falls in love with him.
The romantic interest.
He is a gentle character, a positive figure.
A man of honour and courage.
Miranda is impressed with his good looks and falls for him on first sight.
He is moved when Miranda tries to help him share his labour but will not allow her to suffer, and he is happy to give up his inheritance, the throne, for her.
Loves his father and grieves when he dies.
Sincerely loves Miranda and the marriage resolves the conflict in the play.

Gonzalo (Court Character)

Knowledgeable, loyal and old.
Sensible, wise and holy.
A positive thinker in times of despair.
Has a vision of the perfect world.
Rescues Prospero and also Alonso from the evil clutches of Antonio and Sebastian.
Prospero calls him: ‘Holy Gonzalo, honourable man’ showing his truly good nature.

Miranda

Prospero’s daughter.
‘Admired Miranda’ is the only woman in the play and as the name suggests, she symbolises beauty, modesty and innocence.
She sympathises with the suffering of others, all except Caliban who had tried to rape her.
She falls in love with Ferdinand, at first sight and this highlights her simplicity and uncomplicated nature.
She has not seen anyone else other than Prospero and Caliban and finds the others fascinating.
A gentle and caring character, she seems genuinely concerned for the welfare of those on the ship.
She trusts her father and doesn’t ask questions.
“O brave new world that has such people in’t” expresses best her innocence and naivety.
She agrees to marry Ferdinand and is sorry he has to go through such pain to show his love for her.

Sebastian (Court Character)

Stephano

Lacks intelligence.
Plays on physical comedy of drunkenness, bawdy humour.
Caliban ends up being frustrated by their inept attempts to overthrow Prospero.
Rude jokes and comments made would have provided the audience with humour and light relief.
A coward and easily scared when it matters most.

Trinculo

Together, Stephano and Trinculo provide the main comedy of the play:

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