Prospero: Good or Evil

2002 Morally ambiguous characters - characters whose behavior discourages readers from identifying them as purely evil or purely good- are at the heart of many works of literature. Choose a novel or play in which a morally ambiguous character plays a pivotal role. Then write an essay in which you explain how the character can be viewed as morally ambiguous and why his or her moral ambiguity is significant to the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary.
 

     Morally ambiguous characters are those who could be viewed as both good and evil, and are found in many stories and plays. The Tempest features a morally ambiguous character, Prospero. Prospero can be viewed as both good and evil because of his kindness and intelligence to some characters, such as his daughter Miranda, which conflicts with his harshness and unkindness to other characters, such as Caliban. 
   At the opening of the novel, Prospero is introduced as a "good guy." We feel sorry for him because he lost his title and status to his own brother, and it does not seem like he did anything wrong. He raised his baby daughter to be an intelligent and beautiful young woman on a deserted island. He rescued Ariel and educated Caliban. Throughout the story he expresses his sadness about fighting and even ends up giving his daughter to a man he seemed to not like. Prospero is forgiving to those who tried to hurt him.
     However, it can be argued that Prospero is an evil character. First of all, he caused the terrible storm which, in turn, caused the shipwreck. He let Alonso believe that his son was dead. He used the shipwreck and his magic to manipulate all of the characters. He manipulated Ferdinand and Miranda's relationship by acting like he didnt approve to make the other sound more enticing and create more curiosity. He caused the shipwreck to bring the noblemen from Milan together and charm them into giving him back his throne. He invaded the island and made Caliban and Ariel his slaves which was hypocritical, because he his own throne had just been usurped from him. Prospero seeks revenge throughout the entire play. 
      Throughout the play, Prospero's good and evil actions are usually paired together, making it hard to determine if he is good or evil. For example, he rescued and educated Ariel and Caliban, however he stole their island. He forgives the man who stole his throne, however seeks revenge and steals it back. The good and evil qualities highlight each other and make it difficult to pin Prospero as fully good or evil.
        Prospero displays both good and evil qualities and actions. This morally ambiguous character's different sides contrast each other and are used to highlight each other. His forgiveness and love for his daughter make him seem good, however, his desire for revenge and his enslavement of the island natives could be used to show his evilness.