Alright, let's talk about Ariel. Seriously, what is going on with this character? You read "The Tempest," you get swept up in Prospero's magic and Caliban's rage, but Ariel... Ariel's different. That ethereal sprite who zips around doing Prospero's bidding – there's so much more bubbling under that surface. If you're digging into the character of Ariel in The Tempest, whether for school, a performance, or just because you love Shakespeare, you've probably hit that point where the basic summaries just don't cut it anymore. Who *is* Ariel, really? What drives them? Why do they matter? Let's cut through the usual fluff and really get into it.

Ariel 101: The Basics You Need (But Probably Already Know)

First off, the essentials. Ariel is an air spirit imprisoned by the witch Sycorax (Caliban's mom) in a cloven pine tree before Prospero arrived on the island. Prospero freed Ariel, but then promptly put them under his own magical control – not exactly a great trade-off! Ariel serves Prospero loyally throughout the play, executing complex magical tasks to orchestrate the shipwreck, manipulate the nobles, and ultimately bring about Prospero’s desired reconciliation. They are incredibly powerful, invisible to most characters, capable of shape-shifting, flying, creating illusions, and manipulating the elements – basically, the ultimate magical assistant. But calling Ariel just an "assistant" feels wildly inadequate, doesn't it?

Key Facts About Ariel Straight from the Text

Let's ground this in what Shakespeare actually wrote. Here’s a quick rundown of definitive traits and actions:

Getting these facts straight is crucial before digging deeper into the character of Ariel in The Tempest. They're the foundation.

Ariel vs. Caliban: Shakespeare's Island Opposites (But Maybe Not?)

You can't talk about Ariel without mentioning Caliban. Shakespeare sets them up as this stark contrast, right? Air vs. Earth. Ethereal vs. Grotesque. Obedient vs. Rebellious. Servant vs. Slave. But honestly? The more I read it, the more I think that contrast is a starting point, not the whole story. Both are bound to Prospero against their will. Both desire freedom intensely. Both have legitimate grievances.

Look at how they respond, though. Ariel uses reminders, negotiation, and impeccable service – working *within* the system Prospero controls to earn freedom. Caliban resorts to curses, attempted rebellion, and alliances with fools like Stephano and Trinculo – trying to smash the system. Ariel’s strategy ultimately succeeds; Caliban’s fails spectacularly. Is Ariel just smarter? More patient? Or is Prospero simply more willing to grant freedom to the servant who flatters his ego and gets results, while despising the one who reminds him of his own moral compromises (taking the island)? It’s uncomfortable, but Prospero’s relationship with Ariel feels transactional, while his relationship with Caliban is rooted in visceral disgust and fear. Does Ariel get their freedom partly because they are less... *human*? Less of a threat? That’s a question worth chewing on when analyzing the character of Ariel.

Ariel's Powers: More Than Just Special Effects

Ariel's magic isn't just spectacle. It's the engine of the plot and reveals so much about their nature and role. Forget just making storms. Think about the *effects*:

• Music & Song: Ariel's songs manipulate emotions profoundly. They lure Ferdinand ("Full fathom five thy father lies"), create unease in Alonso ("While you here do snoring lie"), and soothe the distressed ("Come unto these yellow sands"). Music is Ariel's primary language, a tool of both control and comfort. It’s almost primal magic.
• Illusion & Shape-shifting: Becoming a harpy to chastise the "three men of sin" isn't just scary; it's a moment of profound moral accusation delivered through Ariel. Appearing as water on the ship or fire on the mast leverages elemental forces. This fluidity underscores Ariel's non-human essence.
• Invisibility & Speed: Ariel often operates unseen, overhearing plans, reporting back to Prospero. This makes them Prospero’s perfect spy and agent – the unseen hand guiding fate. It also emphasizes their separateness from the human world.

Here's where it gets interesting: Prospero *directs* the magic, but Ariel *executes* it. Prospero’s books are the theory; Ariel is the practice. Without Ariel, Prospero’s grand scheme collapses. This dependency is key to understanding their dynamic. Ariel’s power is immense, but channeled entirely through Prospero’s will... until the end.

The Heart of the Matter: Ariel's Desire for Freedom

This is the core. The driving force. Everything Ariel does is colored by this burning need. Prospero freed Ariel from the pine, yes, but immediately imposed new chains. Ariel’s service is constant, efficient, almost eager... but punctuated by moments where they gently, insistently, remind Prospero of his promise. "Is there more toil? Since thou dost give me pains, / Let me remember thee what thou hast promis'd, / Which is not yet perform'd me." (Act 1, Scene 2). It’s not outright rebellion, but it's a persistent pressure. It makes you wonder: Is Ariel genuinely loyal, or just playing the long game for freedom?

I lean towards a mix. There seems a genuine rapport at times, almost affection. Ariel clearly takes pride in their work ("I have done thee worthy service"). But the longing is undeniable and constant. Think about their joy when freedom is finally granted! "Where the bee sucks, there suck I..." That song is pure, unadulterated ecstasy at the prospect of liberty. It’s one of the most genuinely happy moments in the play.

The fascinating tension lies in how Ariel achieves freedom: through absolute obedience. Unlike Caliban, Ariel never directly challenges Prospero's authority. They work *within* the master-servant framework to earn release. What does that say about power dynamics? About the paths to liberation available to the oppressed? It’s a complex, perhaps even problematic, resolution that adds layers to the character of Ariel in The Tempest.

Ariel's Emotional World: Does a Spirit Feel?

This is where the character of Ariel in The Tempest gets really rich. Shakespeare doesn't give us a robot. Ariel expresses a range of emotions:

• Longing & Impatience: The recurring pleas for freedom are filled with palpable yearning.
• Pity & Compassion: Ariel actively appeals to Prospero’s humanity regarding the imprisoned nobles: "Hast thou, which art but air, a touch, a feeling / Of their afflictions, and shall not myself, / One of their kind, that relish all as sharply / Passion as they, be kindlier mov'd than thou art? ... Your charm so strongly works 'em / That if you now beheld them, your affections / Would become tender." (Act 5, Scene 1). This empathy is crucial – Ariel feels the suffering of others, even Prospero’s enemies, prompting Prospero’s own famous "The rarer action is / In virtue than in vengeance" speech. Ariel becomes a moral catalyst.
• Joy & Relief: The final songs are bursts of pure happiness.
• Subtle Sarcasm/Assertiveness? Some readings detect a hint of sharpness or impatience beneath the obedience, especially in reminders about freedom. "Before you can say 'come' and 'go,' / And breathe twice and cry 'so, so,' / Each one, tripping on his toe, / Will be here with mop and mow." (Act 4, Scene 1). Is that efficient reporting or a subtle dig at Prospero's demands? It’s open to interpretation, making performance choices fascinating.

This emotional capacity challenges the idea of Ariel as merely a tool. They possess interiority, a sense of justice, and the ability to influence the play's moral trajectory. Ariel’s plea for compassion directly leads to Prospero’s decision to forgive. That’s massive! The spirit becomes instrumental in the human resolution.

Beyond the Page: Ariel in Performance and Interpretation

Thinking about the character of Ariel in The Tempest only through the text misses half the story. How Ariel is brought to life on stage or screen radically shapes how audiences perceive them. Here’s where things get diverse:

• Gender: Shakespeare's text uses masculine pronouns for Ariel, but the character's ethereal, non-human nature makes gender highly fluid in performance. Ariel has been played brilliantly by actors of all genders – male, female, non-binary. This ambiguity feels true to the spirit (pun intended!). Does assigning a fixed gender enhance or limit the character? I've seen productions where a clearly gendered Ariel works, and others where the deliberate ambiguity feels more powerful. Personally, the ambiguity resonates more – Ariel transcends human categories.
• Physicality: Is Ariel light and airy, almost floating? Or more grounded, perhaps even slightly mechanical/programmed? Do they move with dancer-like grace or with quick, bird-like jerks? The physical choices directly communicate Ariel's nature and relationship to the world. I remember a production where Ariel was almost puppet-like when obeying Prospero, but flowed freely in their final moments – it was stunning.
• Voice: Ariel sings! Is the voice high and pure? Androgynous? Haunting? Ethereal? Earthy? The quality of Ariel's songs is pivotal to their magic and emotional impact. That "Full fathom five" needs to send shivers down your spine.
• Relationship with Prospero: Is it purely master-slave? Is there mutual respect? Fear? Fondness? Dependency? Resentment bubbling under the surface? The chemistry (or lack thereof) between these actors defines the heart of the play. I once saw a Prospero who seemed genuinely paternal towards Ariel, making the final release bittersweet. Another played it colder, making Ariel’s freedom feel like a deserved escape. Both valid!

Directors constantly reinterpret Ariel. Sometimes they emphasize the servant aspect, sometimes the trickster, sometimes the elemental force, sometimes the moral compass. Each choice offers a new lens on this complex figure.

Why Ariel Matters: Themes and Symbolism

Ariel isn't just a cool magical character. They embody and drive central themes of *The Tempest*:

• Freedom vs. Servitude: Ariel is the living embodiment of this conflict. Their journey from Sycorax's bondage to Prospero's control to ultimate freedom is the play's most successful arc of liberation. It forces us to question the nature of power and the cost of freedom.
• The Power of Art/Magic/Illusion: Ariel *is* Prospero's art. They enact his visions, create the illusions that manipulate and teach the other characters. They represent the transformative (and sometimes manipulative) power of creativity itself.
• Nature & The Elements: As an air spirit, Ariel is intrinsically linked to the natural world of the island. Their songs evoke the sea, the wind, the earth. They represent the non-human consciousness of the place Prospero seeks to control.
• Compassion & Forgiveness: Ariel’s expression of pity for the nobles is the direct trigger for Prospero’s crucial turn towards forgiveness and reconciliation. Ariel becomes the unexpected voice of empathy, proving that even the bound spirit understands mercy better than the vengeful Duke initially did.
• The Limits of Control: Prospero controls Ariel through magic, but ultimately keeps his promise and releases them. Ariel’s obedience has limits defined by the promise of freedom. This suggests that even absolute power is constrained by agreements and perhaps, eventually, by burgeoning conscience.

Understanding these thematic connections elevates Ariel from plot device to essential symbolic force within Shakespeare's final masterpiece. The character of Ariel in The Tempest is absolutely central to the play's exploration of power, illusion, and what it means to be free.

Your Burning Questions About Ariel (Character of Ariel in The Tempest) Answered

Digging Deeper: Critical Perspectives on Ariel

Scholars have endlessly debated Ariel. Here’s a flavor of different lenses applied to the character of Ariel in The Tempest:

• Colonial Lens: Ariel, along with Caliban, is often seen as representing the colonized subject – bound, serving the European master (Prospero), desiring freedom. Ariel represents the "compliant" native who adopts the colonizer's ways to survive and gain favor/freedom, contrasted with Caliban's resistant "savage." This reading highlights the power imbalance and Prospero's paternalistic control.
• Psychological Lens: Sometimes interpreted as an aspect of Prospero's own psyche – his imagination, his conscience, or his "art" externalized. Ariel executes Prospero's will, voices his compassion when Prospero is blinded by vengeance, and ultimately is "reintegrated" (released) when Prospero achieves inner peace. Ariel as Prospero's superego?
• Theatrical Lens: Seen as the embodiment of theatrical illusion itself – the special effects master, the quick-change artist, the musician who sets the scene. Ariel makes Prospero's "magic" (i.e., the play itself) happen. Their release at the end parallels Prospero breaking his staff and abandoning his "art" (theatre).
• Ecocritical Lens: Viewed as the spirit of the natural world, the non-human consciousness of the island disrupted by Prospero's colonial and magical intrusion. Ariel's songs and elemental powers connect them intrinsically to the island's ecology. Their freedom represents nature ultimately escaping human control.

None of these are the single "right" answer, but they show the incredible depth Shakespeare packed into this non-human character. What resonates most for you? For me, the colonial and theatrical readings feel particularly potent when watching the play.

Essential Resources for Understanding Ariel

Want to explore Ariel further? Here are some solid starting points beyond just reading the play (which you absolutely should do!):

• Authoritative Editions: The Arden Shakespeare (Third Series) or Oxford World's Classics editions offer excellent notes and introductions discussing Ariel specifically. Look for essays tackling themes of servitude, magic, and performance.
• Key Critical Essays (Search for these titles/articles):
  • Essays discussing "Ariel and Caliban as colonial subjects." (Look for critics like Octave Mannoni, discussed in postcolonial analyses of the play).
  • "The Freedom of Ariel" by Harry Berger Jr. (A classic piece focusing on Ariel's role).
  • Essays on "Music and Magic in The Tempest" (Ariel's songs are central).
  • Performance reviews focusing on notable Ariel portrayals (e.g., reviews of productions at the RSC or Globe Theatre).
• Reputable Websites:
  • The British Library's "Discovering Literature: Shakespeare" section often has accessible articles and resources on themes and characters.
  • Folger Shakespeare Library's website (folger.edu) has excellent teaching resources and blog posts, often touching on character interpretations. Search specifically for "Ariel Tempest".
  • MIT's Complete Works of Shakespeare (shakespeare.mit.edu) provides a reliable online text – search for "Ariel" within *The Tempest* to track every appearance.
• Film/Stage Adaptations: Watch how different directors handle Ariel! Compare:
  • Derek Jarman's 1979 film (Surreal, punk aesthetic, Ariel played by Karl Johnson).
  • Julie Taymor's 2010 film (Visually stunning, Ariel as CGI creature voiced by Ben Whishaw - amazing vocals!).
  • Trevor Nunn's RSC production (Various stagings, often feature unique Ariel interpretations).
  • Look for Globe Theatre productions online or reviews.

Seeing multiple interpretations is the best way to grasp the character of Ariel in The Tempest beyond just the words on the page. How different actors and directors solve the "Ariel problem" (how to embody spirit, magic, servitude, and longing) is endlessly fascinating theatre.