Oh, Prospero. You vexing little idiot.

Prospero is controlling, plain and simple. However, the way in which he controls is completely identical to that of which we have been discussing in class since forever ago. Simply put, this whining son-of-a-gun changes his past into problems.

For example, when he speaks to Miranda about how the two of them were ousted from their dukedom, he words his tale so as to provoke two things. One, he puts himself in a better light than he probably should have. During said occasion, "a treacherous army levied, one midnight fated to th' purpose did Antonio open the gates of Milan, and, i' th' dead of darkness, the ministers for th' purpose hurried thence me and thy crying self." (Act 1, scene 2, lines 127 - 132) Considering this and only this, it's natural to feel pity for Prospero. That being the effect he wants, Prospero puts heavy emphasis on his brother Antonio being so horrible and the King of Naples shaming him so in taking his dukedom "to most ignoble stooping." (116)

Granted, Antonio was being a bit of a jerk and should probably apologize, but come on! Prospero was so busy not being a duke and sitting in a bloody library all day and night that he didn't even know his own brother was taking his dukedom (man, I love that word). In a literal view, Prospero never really was a duke.

Miranda only has Prospero's word to go on, so she not only believes him (1984, anyone?), but begs his forgiveness for being such a trouble all this time ("Alack! What trouble was I then to you!" (152)) when it really should be Prospero apologizing for taking his daughter down with him.

You might notice I don't really care for Prospero. You might also notice this post is long. Sheesh. Why can't I do this on essays?

Well, I'd go into rants about the Prospero's relationship with the Ariel and Caliban, but it seems to be the same story: they're "indebted" to him for what he has done (or at least says he has) and in no way can the two of them question these stories or what Prospero tells them to do. Basically, Prospero is O'Brien and everyone else is Winston. Or else...