In act 1, scene 2 of Shakespeare's The Tempest, Prospero assures his daughter, Miranda, that "I have done nothing but in care of thee" (1.2.19). On one hand, this is true. On the other hand, Prospero seems never to do anything without an ulterior motive, even those things that he does out of love for Miranda.
Prospero has controlled Miranda's education and intellectual development and shielded her from care and worry. Prospero can put Miranda to sleep when he needs to conduct business with Ariel, then wake her at will when his business is concluded.
Prospero's magic powers ensure that there's order on the island, which provided a safe and stable living environment for Miranda for the past twelve years, and benefit Prospero, the spirit Ariel, and the grotesque Caliban as well.
Prospero uses magic to control Caliban, who's a threat to Miranda and who has already tried to molest her. For that offense, Prospero confines Caliban to a small, rocky part of the island which he can leave only to do...
(The entire section contains 3 answers and 987 words.)
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