Miranda even says, "My father's of a better nature, sir,/Than he appears by speech" (I.ii.500-501). Shakespeare may have been writing Prospero like this only to juxtapose his warm nature at the end of the play, which gives the play a "and they lived happily ever after" feel.
Prospero uses his magic to control the spirit Ariel, which gives him a lot of power. Prospero knows of Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculos' plot to kill the king and he uses this knowledge to his own advantage. He thinks that when he takes back his throne in Milan, he can use it as blackmail against them. He thinks that they will do whatever he says because of this and because of the fact that Miranda will become queen one day.
Prospero shows his protective side as a father to Miranda. He tries to make sure that Ferdinand really loves Miranda by making her seem more difficult to get. He is worried that their love won't last and he doesn't want this for her. He wants to make sure that Ferdinand knows the greatness he is getting in the love of Miranda, which makes Prospero seem downright sweet, even if his language comes across as scheming and vindictive. It is very clear that he loves his daughter and wants only what is best for her.
By the end of the story, Prospero is able to forgive Antonio and Caliban, which shows how he has changed as a man. After Caliban has forced himself upon Miranda and has actually tried to kill Prospero himself, Prospero is able to find forgiveness for him. Prospero is even able to forgive his brother for taking his position in Milan and casting him and his daughter out to sea. It is precisely because of this change in Prospero from a vengeful, scheming man to a protective and forgiving man that he is able to get off the island. It is rather symbolic if we look at the island as a representation of power and Prospero's obsession with power. It was what kept him at a distance from his true nature and from his real self. Once Prospero was able to let that side of his personality go and let the true, loving nature come...
Tempest In Act I, scene 2 of Shakespeare's The Tempest, the protagonist Prospero explains his case to both his daughter and his familiar spirit Ariel. Thus, the main themes of the play are elucidated in this one scene more than any other. The concept of power, of power overused and power usurped are evident and constant in Act One, scene 2 of The Tempest. This early in the play, before the
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