Introduction:
The very name of Ariel means ‘a spirit of the air’. He possesses all the qualities of air lightness, swift and restless movement and love of freedom. Though he is the spirit of the air , he is equally at home on the earth , on the sea and in fire . Unlike most spirits he possesses the capacity to feel sympathetic towards human beings in their misery. He remained imprisoned for twelve years in a cloven pine and was liberated by the magic of Prospero.
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| Role of Ariel in the play The Tempest by William Shakespeare |
Ariel's Longing for Freedom:
Ariel extremely desires complete freedom from all bondage. Slavery is irksome to him. When we meet him first, he is melancholy and impatient because Prospero imposes taxes upon him. Several times Prospero repeats his promise to set him free. When Ariel brings Ferdinand and Miranda together, Prospero is pleased and says:
“Thou shall be as free
As mountain winds: but then exactly do
All points of my commands”.
After Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo have been hunted by spirits, whom Ariel summons, Prospero is again pleased with Ariel's action and says:
“Shortly shall by labours end, and thou
Shalt have the air at freedom for a little
Fellow, and do me service”.
But finally, Prospero sets Ariel free from all the barriers of slavery.
His High Sense of Duty and His Great Love and Devotion for Prospero:
In spite of his longing for freedom, Ariel performs his duties and tasks promptly and punctually. He is quite proud of the manner in which he is able to carry out Prospero's commands and frequently reminds Prospero of his usefulness. He expects recognition of his meritorious services to Prospero and has a childlike love of praise. He is bound to Prospero by a feeling of gratitude and is on terms of great affection with his master. He shows a devotion to Prospero that is rarely found in spirits.
His Love for Mischief and His Natural Music:
There is in him a latent faculty for mischief. It is true that he cannot give full exercise to this faculty because he is not an independent agent. But his sportive nature is abundantly shown by the rest with which he performs those duties which enable him to practise his powers upon such beings as Stephano and Trinculo. The scene in which he sows discard among Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo is full of excellent foolery.
Ariel's natural speech is music or waves of air. This music of Ariel works strangely and irresistible on those who hear it . His music takes Ferdinand towards Prospero's cell; it awakens Gonzalo from his sleep at a critical moment; it speaks to Alonso and arouses repentance in his heart.
His Importance in the Play:
The character of the Ariel is indispensable for the play. He is the supernatural agency through whom Prospero carries out his designs. Ariel causes a storm to blow; he brings the ship ashore to safety; he sends the sailors into a charmed sleep and scatters the distinguished passengers in groups upon the island. He brings Ferdinand and Miranda together; he plays the part of a harpy and makes the banquet disappear. He awakens the sense of guilt in Alonso and others by his denunciation; he frustrates the conspiracy of Caliban and of Antonio and Sebastian. In this way, Ariel's importance in the mechanism or plot construction of the play is obvious.
His Importance from the Point of View of Characterization:
From the point of view of characterization also, Ariel is quite important. He is a good, decent and dignified spirit. He hates what is filthy and gross. He refuses to carry the dirty commands of the witch, Sycorax and for this disobedience he suffers from a prolonged imprisonment in a cloven pine tree. On account of his goodness, decency, gentleness and sympathetic nature, he is to be contrasted with the earthy and beastly Caliban. Thus Ariel serves as a foil to Caliban.
His Importance to the Atmosphere of the Play:
The scene of the story is laid upon an island, an island of enchantment. The presence of Ariel is one of the factors creating that atmosphere of enchantment and magic. There are numerous other spirits on the island also, but Ariel is supreme among them. He is therefore the most important element in the supernaturalism of the play.
