The Tempest Lesson Plan

What opinion does Prospero appear to have of Ferdinand?

Students may reference a number of places where Prospero appears to have a friendly, approving attitude toward Ferdinand, and other places where he implies that he dislikes him.

The way in which Prospero initially captures, enslaves, and torments Ferdinand, who has committed no wrong, may come across as unnecessarily cruel, particularly since we know that Ferdinand never truly had to "prove" that he was worthy of Miranda. Prospero always intended for his daughter to marry the crown prince of Naples so that he could be returned to his own former position of power.

Ultimately, even if Propsero does like Ferdinand, it...