Meanings of Characters’ Names in The Tempest
C. C.
EP All-in-One High School: English 8
Mrs.C
[email protected]
May 9, 2016
Why were the meanings of characters’ names important to Shakespeare? It’s because it adds detail of
what the characters are saying. Also it has ancient names so you might think you have heard them before. The
introduction of the play brings attention to you because you can picture it in your mind and you would be
excited what would happen next. The meanings of characters’ names are sometimes gentle and some are
harsh or wicked.
Prospero was the Milan duke and Miranda’s father. His name means, in Latin, that he was prosperous
in a name dictionary. He used that strength with his powers and with his love for Miranda. He calmed his
daughter when she thought about the sailors of how they were drowned by telling her a story of her
childhood. At the end of the play, he even calmed the storm and was prosperous for giving Caliban and other
people the island. He even had the magic he needed to forgive and punish his enemies after twelve years of
refining it. His speech showed him as prosperous that he calmed the storm. Although he was prosperous,
some of his actions may seem harsh. For example, he asked his spirits to pinch Caliban whenever he cursed.
Ferdinand and Ariel were treated badly too. He made Ferdinand his slave for Miranda and was enraged with
Ariel’s favor to calm his spell and Ariel was being tormented. “I’ll deliver all; /And promise you calm seas,
auspicious gales…” (Act V. Scene 1, Lines 2,393 and 2,394). Shakespeare wrote about this character because
he didn’t want to write a completely different name that doesn’t go well with the play.
Miranda was Prospero’s daughter in the Shakespeare definitions. In The Tempest Study Guide, Miranda was
“wonderful” in Latin. She was also gentle and loyal to her father and was under fifteen years old. Her attitude
started to be emotional at first but then she was calmed by her father. Ferdinand heard about Miranda’s
virginity as she said it to him. Ferdinand was somebody she saw that was so admiring and she fell in love with
him. In her appearance, she may seem wonderful but was as naïve as Ferdinand. She didn’t want to be
married until later. She scolded at Caliban when he wasn’t grateful for his education. “My affections /Are
then most humble; I have no ambition…” (Act I, Scene 2, Line 671) Shakespeare wrote about Miranda in the
play because he didn’t want to have just men and his plays have love scenes.
Ferdinand was Alonso’s son and Miranda thought he was pure. His name means a bold traveler, in the
name dictionary in Spanish, because he traveled to find a woman, to marry her, and to live in a kingdom. He
was questioned of where he heard the music that Ariel was playing. Also, he would love to work for her. In his
imagination, he was the prince of Naples and if he would marry her, she would be a princess. For the marriage,
he wanted Miranda to live on the island forever. He also promised to act according to the wishes that Juno
and her helpers gave to Miranda and him. Prospero imprisoned the poor and helpless Ferdinand. He was also
Prospero’s servant by carrying wood for him and was bold for taking over Caliban’s duties. He had no need to
curse; instead he enjoyed working with the woman he loves. His title was unconcerned and Miranda asked
him if he loved her. In his journey, he traveled with his father. “A thousand thousand!” (Act III, Scene 1, Line
1,387) Shakespeare added him because he thought of love to make this more exciting and a character that
loves to travel and was bold.
Ariel was another spelling for aerial and was a spirit of air helper of Prospero. Prospero asked him if he would
do every task and at the end, he released him. His voice sounded like the wind, thunder, and lightning when
he was called by Prospero. When he was Sycorax’s servant, his spirit was too delicate to perform her wicked
commands. Prospero asked him to be guised as a nymph and he wouldn’t see anything or anybody else except
Prospero and himself. He entered Ferdinand after he sang and played music. Both Caliban and he share some
things in common: Ariel was a fire and air spirit and Caliban was an earthly creature, and they were Prospero’s
servants. He was bright while Caliban was dark. Prospero called him to come out and to help him with
whatever was being asked. “I drink the air before me, and return/Or ere your pulse twice beat.” Shakespeare
wrote about this character because he wanted it to have mythical creatures in there, not just people.
Alonso was the name of a Spanish origin and his name means noble. Ferdinand was Alonso’s son and he was
noble that he was apologizing for his attitude. He wanted his son, Ferdinand, to marry Miranda. Before he
realized what his mistake was, he was grieved because he thought that his son died. “Good boatswain, have
care. Where’s the master?” (Act I, Scene 1, Line 15). He wasn’t comforted when he heard Francisco said to him
that Ferdinand swam in the water. He was so desperate and was so grieved when he heard that his son was
dead long ago and drowned himself. Prospero was grieved when his daughter was dead by the storm, he drew
the curtain and he saw Miranda and Ferdinand playing chess. Alonso was overwhelmed with happiness at this
sight and embraced his son and his daughter-in-law. He begged for Miranda’s forgiveness for the difficulties
she faced twelve years ago. He said that because he didn’t want the mariners to drown from the spell and he
wanted them to be safe. Shakespeare wanted to add him because he might have thought of someone who
had a name that means noble and he didn’t want Ferdinand to travel alone.
The name Stephano means a garland in the name dictionary and a name of Greek origin. In Greek, it is a name
that means victorious. For his entrance he drank and sang and heard Caliban’s cry to Trinculo by not
tormenting him. In his thought he assumed that the monster had two heads and he wanted to pour liquor on
Trinculo and Caliban. He expressed himself in that because Prospero agreed that Stephano wanted to have
the island. “He shall taste of my bottle: if we have…” (Act II, Scene 2, Line 1,164). Shakespeare wrote about
him because he wanted the play to have entertainment.
Antonio was a name meaning “beyond praise” and is an Italian and a Spanish form of Antonius. He was
Prospero’s enemy and brother and wanted to kill Alonso. He and Sebastian cursed the Boatswain about his
labors and they were caught with his sword drawn. It seems difficult that he was successful against his
brother. After he moved illegally Prospero’s dukedom, it was the best move he ever did. Ariel’s music made
them fall asleep. They refused to agree with Gonzalo’s idea of picturing a good island in his mind. His plan of
dearth was thinking about Claribel as the queen of Tunis and Sebastian would be the next king. “Long live
Gonzalo!” (Act II, Scene 1, Line 880). Shakespeare wanted to have villains in the play too, not just the good
characters.
The name, Sebastian, is a Latin name and means august and honored. He agreed with Antonio’s plot of killing
Prospero. His actions didn’t represent Sebastian as being honored or august; he was tempted by Stephano’s
drunkenness. Antonio and his partner continued to help a little. On second thought, he paused at his plan, he
told a story about that loud noise, and he and Antonio immediately drew their swords. In the grove, the three
of the men: Alonso, Antonio, and he were enraged with fear that Prospero told they were imprisoned.
Antonio’s idea of illegally moving Prospero’s place as a duke began to warm up his plan further. Antonio and
he both mocked at Gonzalo as he might be the lord of the island. “I’m out of patience.” (Act I, Scene 1, Line
65). Shakespeare wanted him to be with Antonio because he didn’t want to do it alone.
Gonzalo was the name that means “war”, a Latin form of a Germanic name. He was an honest, old lord and he
provided for Miranda and Prospero after they were out of the ship from the storm. In his imagination, he
thought about the island all green and clean. He ordered the mariners to pray instead of weeping for the king
and his son. For his advice, he told the lords to come up with a better situation but they made it worse and
wanted to change the subject. With his reasonable voice, he told the younger lords to make sure that
Sebastian, Alonso, and Antonio hadn’t done anything harsh. At first, the men disagree with what to eat, but
with Gonzalo’s encouragement, he told them they would be fine. Instead of the boatswain being drowned, he
teased him that he was born to be hanged. “Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of shorter
ground, long heath, brown furge, any…” (Act I, Scene 1, Lines 79-80). Shakespeare thought of somebody of
being honest and wise and would have a victorious name.
Juno means “heavenly” and she was the god queen. She gave an honorable wish to Ferdinand and
Miranda for their marriage and she was being honest. She asked Iris to find nymphs and reapers to perform a
dance. She was blessed by their marriage and performs with her helpers celebrating it. “Honour, riches,
marriage-blessing, /Long continuance, and increasing…”(Act IV, Scene 1, Lines 1822 and 1823). Shakespeare
didn’t want Ceres and Iris to not have a ruler of the gods so he thought of Juno.
Ceres was the name usage in Roman mythology and is an Indo-European root meaning “to grow”. She gave
them a plentiful wish and prosperity and blessed with love. She was an agriculture goddess. “Earth’s increase,
foison plenty, /Barns and gamers never empty…” (Act IV, Scene 1, Lines 1,831 and 1,832). Shakespeare wanted
to have Ceres in this because he wanted the island to look all flourishing with green leaves and grass.
Iris was a name meaning a “rainbow” and she was a rainbow goddess. Juno’s messenger was she and Iris was
a questioner about marriage. “You nymphs, call’d Naiads, of the windring brooks…” (Act IV, Scene 1, Line
1,849). Shakespeare added her because he wanted Juno to ask her and to help her with the marriage that she
planned.
Caliban was a Roman defintion for black and had a near anagram for “cannibal”. He used brutal speech
and thought that the island was his. His mother was a witch and he was Prospero’s dark slave. Both Ariel and
he had the same figures: Ariel was an airy spirit and Caliban was a monster. He was also a very complex
character. Stephano favored him to drink the bottle and to lick his shoe. He refused to bow for Prospero’s
dukedom. In the first part of the speech, he forgot to show Prospero what the island was on the inside and the
outside and he begged Stephano to view the island with him. During the play did he ever want to curse before
Prospero. He thought he didn’t need a lot of work because he saw logs up ahead and he wanted to rape
Miranda. “O ho, O ho! wouldn’t had been done!” (Act I, Scene 2, Line 501) Shakespeare thought of him
because his plays have contrasts and similes that would make his audience more excited and interested.
Trinculo was a name that meant a jester in the Shakespeare dictionary. He was greedy when he thought of
Prospero and was an entertainer for Ferdinand and Miranda. He and Stephano acted as comic foils throughout
the play. He thought that Caliban was a monster and they gave a bottle of wine to him. With not much
difficulty, they would find friends more easily. He, Stephano, and Caliban continued to drink and walked
aimlessly on the island. They were drunken thieves. “I shall laugh myself to death at this puppy-headed
monster.” (Act II, Scene 2, Line 1,241). Shakespeare added him because he ruminated the entertainment
throughout this play and would make it funny.
Some definitions of names might not go well with its actions but I think that Prospero’s epilogue was so
relaxing and victorious. Shakespeare’s characters’ names are so meaningful that you might ask yourself,
“Where did he get those names? Had he heard them before or did he think about them?” Prospero’s
forgiveness was so surprising that it made me feel relieved and there were words that made me question,
“What does that mean?” I was surprised about Miranda’s death and I didn’t find out how she died until I have
read Prospero’s sorrow for his daughter and Alonso’s grief for his son. The names also have anagrams that
you might think through them easily. For example, Caliban’s name was a near anagram for cannibal. I hope
this description will make you feel excited to read it and maybe you can write your own research paper or you
can write about something else that is mentioned in the assignments. The question you might want to ask is,
“Does this name have a meaning that is gentle or wicked?”
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