The Tempest
by William Shakespeare

The Tempest: Foil 1 key example

New! Understand every line of The Tempest.
Read our modern English translation.

Key Examples in The Tempest

Act 1, scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Ariel and Caliban:

Ariel and Caliban are the most striking pair of foils in The Tempest. Ariel is an airy, ethereal spirit. He sings beautiful songs and bends nature to his will. He also conjures the tempest at the beginning of the play. Before the play began, Prospero found Ariel imprisoned and decided to free him, but now—because Prospero helped him—Ariel is compelled to serve him.