Ariel

Ariel

Ariel is a trustworthy and loyal spirit who demonstrates patience with his master and eventually undergoes development leading to change. Throughout the course of The Tempest, Ariel performs several important tasks for Prospero in order to obtain permission for his freedom. Despite Ariel's "...worthy service..." (I,ii,246) in his creation of the tempest, Prospero condemns Ariel's request for liberty and forces him to toil for another two days. Ariel's patience is further demonstrated when he performs the remaining tasks for Prospero with exceptional quality and without cursing or grudges. Among these duties include spying, creating music and illusions, and misleading Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo "...through / Toothed briers, sharp furzes, prickling goss, and thorns..." (IV,i,179-180). Upon completion of his tasks, Ariel was able to develop a powerful trust with Prospero as well as a feeling of friendship. Because of their developed relationship, Prospero was true to his word and Ariel was granted his freedom. Ultimately, Ariel's willingness to remain patient developed a sense of trust with Prospero and he experienced change because he was finally free.

Ferdinand

Similarly to Ariel, Ferdinand demonstrates great patience with Prospero in attempt to impress the father of his lover, Miranda. Prior to Ferdinand and Miranda's marriage, Prospero imposes several important tests to decide whether or not Ferdinand is properly suited to wed his only daughter. Immediately following their first encounter, Ferdinand is evaluated and forced to remove "...thousands of... logs and pile them up..." (III,i,10). Furthermore, Ferdinand's patience is demonstrated once again when he must wait until after the wedding before he and Miranda may engage in sexual activity. Prospero warns Ferdinand not to "...break [Miranda's] virgin-knot..." (IV,i,15) as it will cause their marriage to be cursed. In the end, because of Ferdinand's patience with Prospero, a father-son like bond develops between the two, and Ferdinand transforms from a bachelor to a husband.

Prospero

Although Ariel and Ferdinand executed patience as a result of Prospero's demands, Prospero also illustrated patience as he awaited his