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Prospero

Literary Character
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Prospero is the exiled Duke of Milan and powerful magician in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, symbolizing control, artistry, and eventual renunciation of power.

Detailed Definition
Prospero, using magic and manipulation, orchestrates events to restore his dukedom and secure his daughter’s future. In poetry, he represents the artist as controller, the reconciliation of power and forgiveness, and the illusion of control over fate.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Shakespeare’s "The Tempest," Prospero’s epilogue (“Now my charms are all o’erthrown”) reflects the poet’s farewell to art; In W.H. Auden’s “The Sea and the Mirror,” Prospero embodies the rational mind confronting illusion; In Sylvia Plath’s “Daddy,” Prospero-like control echoes in paternal authority; In Derek Walcott’s “Omeros,” Prospero appears as a colonial magician; In modern postcolonial poetry, Prospero often symbolizes the exploitative artist or ruler; In Tracy K. Smith’s “Watershed,” Prospero’s books represent knowledge used for domination.
Additional Notes
Prospero, the exiled duke and magician in The Tempest, embodies control, artistry, and renunciation; poets reference his staff-breaking speech (“this rough magic I here abjure”) to explore the end of illusion, the ethics of power, or the poet’s own role as illusion-maker—his relationship with Ariel and Caliban frames debates about colonization, freedom, and creation.
Also Known As
Duke of Milan Master of Spirits Enchanter of the Isle
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