In Shakespeare's play The Tempest, there are two characters who seem to be polar opposites. The characters of Caliban and Ariel both play very important roles in the play. The term Caliban is defined as “a brutal or brutalized man” and the term Ariel is defined as “a spirit of the air” (Dictionary). The definitions of these two character names even show the huge difference between the two characters before the readers or viewers even know the characters. There are also differences in how the two characters feel towards the self-proclaimed king of the island, Prospero. However, regardless of their many differences, the only thing they have in common is the fact that they are both oppressed by Prospero who has considered himself the king of the island and seeks freedom. Caliban, who we are told "is not honored in human form" (1.2.419) is the son of Sycorax who inhabited the island to which Prospero was banished. After the death of his mother, Sycorax, Caliban falls under Prospero's rule and becomes one of his servants. Caliban is very different from Ariel in the sense that although Ariel is happy to serve under Prospero's rule, Caliban is not. In fact, we discover that Caliban is far from happy being Prospero's servant and even plots with two other men to end Prospero's life. As we discussed in class, Caliban is also more of an angry individual than Ariel appears to be and this comes from the fact that Caliban believes he is the rightful king of the island and that Prospero has stolen what belonged to him, which we see. » (3.2.40-41). Ariel, who we are told about in Act One, Scene Two, was the old servant of Caliban's mother, Syco...... middle of paper ... freedom for him again. Overall, the two characters Caliban and Ariel both play. major roles in The Tempest. However, they couldn't be more different. They are treated completely differently by their master Prospero, they are called upon to take on different types of tasks, and the only similarity that seems to connect them is the fact that both desire freedom from his rule. . Additionally, the personalities of the two characters differ greatly. While Ariel seems more naive, Caliban seems to realize Prospero's true intentions and his quest for power on the island during the play. Dictionary.com. Np, and Web. April 13, 2014. Shakespeare, William and Robert Woodrow Langbaum. The Tempest: With New and Updated Critical Essays and a Revised Bibliography. New York, NY, USA: Signet Classic, 1998. Print.