Question
What is the primary conflict revealed through the dialogue exchange between Prospero and Ariel in The Tempest?
Answers
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In Shakespeare's *The Tempest*, the primary conflict revealed through the dialogue between Prospero and Ariel revolves around themes of power, freedom, and loyalty. Prospero, the deposed Duke of Milan, wields magic and has control over Ariel, a spirit who serves him.
Ariel desires freedom from Prospero's servitude, as he has been bound to serve for a specific period after being rescued from his imprisonment in a tree by Prospero. Ariel's longing for liberty contrasts with Prospero's need to maintain control over him to execute his plans for revenge and restoration of his dukedom.
This conflict illustrates the broader themes of servitude and autonomy, as Ariel seeks fulfillment of his promised freedom while Prospero grapples with the complexities of wielding power and the moral implications of his dominion over Ariel. Their exchanges highlight Prospero's struggle between using that power for personal gain versus recognizing and granting Ariel the freedom he desires. This dynamic sets the stage for the exploration of themes of forgiveness and the nature of authority throughout the play.
Ariel desires freedom from Prospero's servitude, as he has been bound to serve for a specific period after being rescued from his imprisonment in a tree by Prospero. Ariel's longing for liberty contrasts with Prospero's need to maintain control over him to execute his plans for revenge and restoration of his dukedom.
This conflict illustrates the broader themes of servitude and autonomy, as Ariel seeks fulfillment of his promised freedom while Prospero grapples with the complexities of wielding power and the moral implications of his dominion over Ariel. Their exchanges highlight Prospero's struggle between using that power for personal gain versus recognizing and granting Ariel the freedom he desires. This dynamic sets the stage for the exploration of themes of forgiveness and the nature of authority throughout the play.