The Tempest · Character

Ariel

An airy spirit bound to Prospero's service, Ariel performs the tempest with dazzling precision and keeps asking when freedom comes.

major

Also known as Exit Ariel, Reenter Ariel, Ariel Hark, Delicate Ariel, Ariel Ay

First appearance: the tempest

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Ariel was freed from the torment of the witch Sycorax by Prospero, but the rescue came with a term of service, and the spirit now carries out every task from shipwreck to enchantment with inventive, elemental flair. The tension is plain: Ariel serves without grudge or grumbling yet repeatedly reminds Prospero of the promised liberty, and Prospero's sharp reminder of past torments shows how easily gratitude can be turned into leverage. Ariel's invisible interventions drive the island's middle action, shaping what every other character sees, hears, and believes.

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Character Web

17 connections

A slice of how Ariel sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Social
Rivalry
Professional

Character groups

Protagonist
Minor and background figures
Shipwrecked nobles and islanders
Goddesses in the masque

+12 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

In this epilogue, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Prospero, having regained his dukedom and f…

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Relationships

Sycorax
psychological · negative
Miranda
social · positive
Caliban
rivalry · negative
Stephano
rivalry · negative
Ceres
professional · positive
Sycorax
psychological · negative
Miranda
social · positive
Miranda
social · positive
Ceres
professional · positive
Caliban
rivalry · negative
Caliban
rivalry · negative
Stephano
rivalry · negative

Sycorax
Ariel was imprisoned by the witch Sycorax and remains haunted by her memory and past servitude.
Miranda
Ariel serves Prospero and interacts with Miranda only indirectly as part of Prospero's magical plans.
Caliban
Ariel and Caliban are both servants of Prospero but despise each other, representing airy spirit versus earthy monster.
Stephano
Ariel torments Stephano and Trinculo with magical tricks to disrupt their drunken conspiracy.
Ceres
Ariel summons Ceres as part of Prospero's masque, acting as a stage manager for the divine performance.
Sycorax
Ariel was imprisoned by the witch Sycorax and remains haunted by her memory and past servitude.
Miranda
Ariel serves Prospero and interacts with Miranda only indirectly as part of Prospero's magical plans.
Miranda
Ariel serves Prospero and interacts with Miranda only indirectly as part of Prospero's magical plans.
Ceres
Ariel summons Ceres as part of Prospero's masque, acting as a stage manager for the divine performance.
Caliban
Ariel and Caliban are both servants of Prospero but despise each other, representing airy spirit versus earthy monster.
Caliban
Ariel and Caliban are both servants of Prospero but despise each other, representing airy spirit versus earthy monster.
Stephano
Ariel torments Stephano and Trinculo with magical tricks to disrupt their drunken conspiracy.

Relationship notes

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In the story

Ariel appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene II
Reports on the shipwreck and is reminded by Prospero of his rescue from Sycorax's imprisonment.
Scene I
Prospero's spirit servant, who invisibly watches over the group and wakes Gonzalo to thwart the plot.
Scene II
Invisible, accuses Caliban of lying and plays music to lead the conspirators astray, reporting their plan to Prospero.
Scene III
Disguised as a harpy, delivers Prospero's accusation and causes the banquet to vanish.
Scene I
Assists Prospero by staging the masque and later reports on leading Caliban and his companions into a filthy pool.
Scene I
Reports on the prisoners, helps attire Prospero, and is promised freedom.

Chapter companion notes

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