Shakespeare uses the change between blank verse and prose as the most obvious differentiation between the characters in this play. Prospero is a noble character so speaks in blank verse which follows the pattern of iambic pentameter; this is shown most clearly when he is making longer speeches such as in the opening of scene 2, when he and Miranda are speaking. This style of verse is distinguished by the emergence of a soft sound followed by a hard one, repeated five times; Shakespeare occasionally bends this rule to suit the lines of the character, allowing the verse to flow more freely.

The scene begins with a conversation between Prospero and his daughter Miranda, both of whom use blank verse as they are noble characters. This is the first time that the audience have seen Prospero and Miranda, and she is the only female in the play, allowing the audience a change and a break in the midst of many male characters. Her emotions and the use of language which Shakespeare chooses for this character allow the audience to make a clear distinction between the male and female characters. Shakespeare uses many alliterations during Miranda’s speech, reusing a soft ‘S’ sound, this creates the sound of the sea but also sounds like she is sighing, reflecting her unhappy mood.

Shakespeare’s opening line for Prospero is a very authoritative line and instantly allows the audience to see that he is a commanding central character, his direct and almost harsh language draws the audiences attention away from Miranda and towards the character of Prospero. He is first seen to be putting Miranda in check and trying to stop her emotional outburst over her witnessing of the shipwreck, he says that ‘there’s no harm done’, which is the audiences first indication that the shipwreck in the opening scene was not what is seemed. The interaction between Prospero and Miranda allows the audience to understand not only the character of Prospero but also clearly installs the character of Prospero as the father and as a strong male character. He also uses these two characters to help the audience to follow the story as Shakespeare uses them to set the scene and explain what has happened.

By using the characters as narrators, it allows the audience not only to find out how they arrived on the island and the story behind their misfortune, but also sets the scene for the rest of the play. It also helps the audience to understand the characters that appear later on in the play and also the character of Prospero. His language when talking of his brother Antonio is hateful in some instances and then loving in others when he realises it is partly his own fault. This shows his conflicting emotions over what he feels for the people who have banished him to this island. The use of Prospero as narrator for this story only shows it from his point of view however, which means that the audience will only have one story to base their opinions of the other characters on.

Shakespeare changes Prospero’s language and attitude to the different characters in this book drastically, which shows the audience the many different sides of the one character. Prospero is a very complex character with many emotions and a troubled past, Shakespeare presents this with his changing treatment and relationships with the other characters.

Shakespeare uses Prospero’s relationship with his daughter Miranda to allow the audience to see his caring loving side, the one line ‘I have done nothing but in care of thee-’ at once portrays a loyal and doting father, Shakespeare then uses the words thee, thou and thy, to reinforce the idea that Miranda is Prospero’s number one priority and the most important thing to him.

When Prospero is speaking to Miranda Shakespeare uses soft sounds and words which flow together, to make the speeches sound softer and loving, this is shown in the speech:

‘O, a cherubin

Thou wast that did preserve me. Thou dist smile,

Infusèd with a fortitude from heaven,

When I have decked the sea with drops full salt,

Under my burden groaned; which raised in me

An undergoing stomach, to bear up

Against what should ensue

This speech uses many ‘s’ sounds as these are soft and allow the verse to flow, Shakespeare also uses imagery in calling Miranda a cherubin to show how Prospero sees Miranda as his angel. It shows just how much love he feels for her, as through all the hard times it was Miranda and his boundless love for her that gave him the strength to persevere.

Shakespeare uses the conversation between Prospero and Ferdinand to show how Prospero demands to be listened to, he continuously repeats that Ferdinand should be quiet and that he wants to speak with him. It also shows how Prospero will manipulate a situation so that it is best for him, when Ferdinand does not do as he asks he accuses him of spying, therefore gaining control and at once putting himself in charge of Ferdinand, as well as all the other characters on the island.

Shakespeare also uses the character of Ferdinand to highlight the love which Prospero feels for Miranda, his harsh treatment of Ferdinand and the tasks which he sets him so that he will prove his love for Miranda, show that he only wants the best for his daughter. Shakespeare also uses the character of Ferdinand to portray how even though Ferdinand claims he is a King, Prospero still treats him with little respect and great suspicion, proving that Prospero believes that on the island he is the most important so he has this right.

In direct contrast to the way in which Prospero treats Miranda is the way in which Shakespeare coordinates the interaction between the characters of Prospero and Caliban. Caliban, a native of the island and a character who is half man half beast also speaks in verse, but often changes between verse and prose. Prospero uses very harsh, abusive language when addressing Caliban, as he has enslaved him and believes that Caliban should serve him. The interaction on stage between Caliban and Prospero shows a new domineering and powerful side to Prospero, but also a narrow-mindedness to accept Caliban. This harsh treatment of Caliban may be justified due to the fact that he has tired to rape Miranda, but Shakespeare allows the actor to portray Caliban in such a way that the audience will be left questioning whether he is able to understand the consequences of his actions or whether he is just amoral.

The conversation between Prospero and Caliban allows the audience to further see how Prospero and Miranda survived when they were first cast upon the island. Prospero at first treated Caliban with the utmost kindness, and once Caliban had shown them all that the island had to offer, Prospero enslaved him and made him pander to his every needs. This harsh treatment of Caliban, a native of the island, would have had much more of an effect on the audience of Shakespeare’s time, as it is challenging the issues of the time. Shakespeare uses an allegory (the interaction between Prospero and Caliban) to reflect the attitude of England at the time, as America had been discovered and there were many conflicting views on how to treat the native American Indians. In this way Shakespeare allows the audience to make their own judgement of Prospero, depending on their own opinions on how it is correct to treat natives such as Caliban.

When Prospero is speaking to Caliban Shakespeare uses harsh sound such as ‘K’ and ‘R’ many of the words which he uses have a ‘C’ sound in them, but it is a hard, not a soft ‘C’. He uses many insults and repeatedly animalises Caliban, referring to him as a tortoise and to his mother as a dam. He also calls him ‘earth’, this can be interpreted in many ways, not only meaning that Caliban is a native and a rough, earthy character, but also that he is no better than the earth, that he is no better than dirt.

Shakespeare also uses anticipation to create an atmosphere and to keep the audience interested, when Caliban is first summoned by Prospero there is a long conversation between them, in which they insult each other and throw curses, but this frantic and fast speech keeps the audience involved and makes them wait to find out why Prospero has summoned him.

Shakespeare changes Prospero’s language once again when he is speaking to his spirit Ariel; Ariel is another native of the island, brought there by Sycorax, who was Caliban’s mother. Shakespeare uses different language for Prospero's treatment of Ariel to the treatment of Caliban, showing how he bases his treatment of the other characters on their usefulness to him. Caliban is their slave, but he cannot perform complex or magical tasks for him, whereas Ariel also has magical powers, so can perform tasks for Prospero which are more important.

Shakespeare changes Prospero’s language very rapidly and uses short sentences when he is talking to Ariel, this mirrors Ariel’s character as he is very fast and light and his language flows very quickly. Caliban and Ariel are complete opposites and in this way Shakespeare changes Prospero's treatment of them. Shakespeare also uses Ariel as a way of showing how Prospero can easily change from being loving and praising to being powerful and commanding, this is shown when Ariel reminds him of his promise to free him, immediately changing from high praise to threats. This also shows what a powerful magician Prospero is as he tells Ariel he will imprison him in an oak which is the strongest and mightiest tree. His language when he is threatening Ariel is still respectful though, and he does not curse him and insult him as he does Caliban, reinforcing the idea that Prospero bases his treatment of the other characters on their usefulness.

In this scene Shakespeare relies mainly on the interaction between Prospero and the other characters involved to show the many different sides to Prospero's character. This allows the audience to make their own opinions of what they portray the character of Prospero to be. Whether he is a harsh narrow minded master who believes that he has the ultimate power and is the most important character or whether he is a loving and doting father, trying to make the best life for himself and his daughter out of their misfortunes.