# Ariel — The Tempest character guide

> Ariel in The Tempest by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

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

**First appearance:** 0000-the-tempest

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Sycorax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/sycorax)

_psychological_

Ariel was imprisoned by the witch Sycorax and remains haunted by her memory and past servitude.

### [Miranda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/miranda)

_social_

Ariel serves Prospero and interacts with Miranda only indirectly as part of Prospero's magical plans.

### [Caliban](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/caliban)

_rivalry_

Ariel and Caliban are both servants of Prospero but despise each other, representing airy spirit versus earthy monster.

### [Stephano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/stephano)

_rivalry_

Ariel torments Stephano and Trinculo with magical tricks to disrupt their drunken conspiracy.

### [Ceres](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/ceres)

_professional_

Ariel summons Ceres as part of Prospero's masque, acting as a stage manager for the divine performance.

### [Sycorax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/sycorax)

_psychological_

Ariel was imprisoned by the witch Sycorax and remains haunted by her memory and past servitude.

### [Miranda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/miranda)

_social_

Ariel serves Prospero and interacts with Miranda only indirectly as part of Prospero's magical plans.

### [Miranda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/miranda)

_social_

Ariel serves Prospero and interacts with Miranda only indirectly as part of Prospero's magical plans.

### [Ceres](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/ceres)

_professional_

Ariel summons Ceres as part of Prospero's masque, acting as a stage manager for the divine performance.

### [Caliban](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/caliban)

_rivalry_

Ariel and Caliban are both servants of Prospero but despise each other, representing airy spirit versus earthy monster.

### [Caliban](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/caliban)

_rivalry_

Ariel and Caliban are both servants of Prospero but despise each other, representing airy spirit versus earthy monster.

### [Stephano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/stephano)

_rivalry_

Ariel torments Stephano and Trinculo with magical tricks to disrupt their drunken conspiracy.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Reports on the shipwreck and is reminded by Prospero of his rescue from Sycorax's imprisonment.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Prospero's spirit servant, who invisibly watches over the group and wakes Gonzalo to thwart the plot.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Invisible, accuses Caliban of lying and plays music to lead the conspirators astray, reporting their plan to Prospero.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Disguised as a harpy, delivers Prospero's accusation and causes the banquet to vanish.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Assists Prospero by staging the masque and later reports on leading Caliban and his companions into a filthy pool.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Reports on the prisoners, helps attire Prospero, and is promised freedom.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/ariel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters