Storm: Is Prospero good or bad? In order to answer this question we must first understand why Prospero can be seen as good or bad. It is fair to say that Prospero is the main protagonist of the plot of Shakespeare's The Tempest. It is due to Prospero's role as a key figure in the play that has put him under so much scrutiny. Many different Shakespearean critics have their own view of Prospero, and those who read or see the play also have their own opinion on the way Prospero can be viewed. the analysis of Prospero's character and why he is seen this way. After being usurped and destroyed on an island, Prospero and his young daughter Miranda must settle down. It is here, in Prospero's past, that it is clear for the first time where any confusion about his character may appear. Being a cultured and powerful man, Prospero is able to take direct control of the island, frees a trapped and tortured spirit (Ariel), and befriends the inhabitants (Caliban). Prospero 'helps' Caliban, tries to educate him and teaches him to communicate, in return Caliban helps Prospero to survive on the Island. But in taking power on the Island Prospero is committing the same act that happened to him as Duke of Milan, now Prospero himself has become the usurper. In this act of kindness Prospero unknowingly showed his evil side. Prospero, having been trapped on the island with his daughter, raised her alone. He tries to do this as fairly as he thinks possible, teaching her right and wrong and instructing her in the ways of the world, yet Prospero does not inform Miranda of their past until Miranda, in his opinion, is old enough to understand.' Your father was Duke of Milan and a Prince of power' (A1 Sc2 Ln57) But with Prospero informing Miranda of this at such a late stage in his life, this Prospero is a control freak who allows his daughter Miranda to know the truth only when he feels the time has come or does Prospero take care to hide this information from Miranda until he is of an age where he can fully understand who he is and where he comes from?, once again it is unclear whether Prospero's intentions be it for his own good or the good of his daughter.