Ariel's memories of Sycorax present her as vicious and cruel.
Her union with the Devil further illustrates her perverse use of magic, for she would have had to invoke him in order to have carnal relations. All negative views and uses of magic are seen in this union. Commenting on Sycorax's nature, Kermode says " A goetist who exploited the universal sympathies, but whose power is limited by the fact that she could command, as rule, only devils and the lowest orders of spirits." .
Prospero is an unwilling inhibitor of the island of Sycorax. Usurped and exiled by his brother Antonio, Prospero uses his knowledge of magic to control the inhabitants of the island. .
When the audience first encounter Prospero he seems arrogant with a sense of great self-importance. This is reflected in the use of his magic to control and frighten people, especially Ariel and Caliban. At first he treated Caliban as a member of his house but soon abandons his trust in the form of constant abuse hurled at Caliban, and Caliban's exile. This partially understandable, however, as Caliban did try to rape Miranda, Prospero's daughter.
Whilst Prospero was the Duke of Milan, it his practicing of magic made him blind to his responsibilities. This is how the usurpation takes place. In neglecting his duties as Duke, Antonio has the perfect reason to proclaim himself Duke and Exile Prospero " Prospero the prime duke, being so reputed in dignity, and for the liberal arts without parallel; those being all my study, the government I cast upon my brother " .
Whilst Prospero was the Duke of Milan he constantly practiced his art and read books about magic. It is Caliban of all people who first highlights Prospero's limitations as sorcerer. Even with his limited intelligence, Caliban has noticed that Prospero's magic is learned from books, this is in stark contrast to his mother's inherent magical abilities.
" Remember first to possess his books; for without them he's but a sot, as I am, nor hath not One spirit to command" .
