Character analysis in The Tempest

Prospero's character

Theory 1: 'He is a paternalistic, benevolent authority.'

• I agree with this to a certain extent because he reassures Miranda (Scene 2) with 'no harm done.' He then goes on to explain the reasoning as to why he has caused the storm in Scene 1 and his motivations behind it. He says 'nothing but in care of thee.' This places him as a caring being, that he is doing this for the greater good.
• When Miranda addresses her father at the beginning of Scene 2 (she starts the scene, dismissing tradition from the start), she says 'my dearest father' - you can argue that this shows love and closeness between them, and demonstrates the affection for her 'father.'

Theory 2: 'Prospero is a tyrannical dictator.'

• He is demanding of his daughter's attention; 'sit down' and 'obey and be attentive.' - this is him asserting his dominance through imperatives and reminding the audience of patriarchal traditions. 'I pray thee mark me...' - Prospero here is demanding power and attention. '...thou attend'st not!' and here he is demanding Miranda's attention, making sure she is listening to his story. Prospero is seemingly a dictator because he controls the story, and he only tells Miranda certain things. 
• When Miranda addresses her father at the beginning of Scene 2 (she starts the scene, dismissing tradition for the start), she says 'my dearest father' - this seems like a formal address, which seems unusual for a father-daughter relationship. It seems possessive and like she is trying to get on his good side/impress him, an attempt to gain power in this situation. 
• Prospero says 'I pluck my magic garment from me...' and this demonstrates power. it's as if he gains power from the robe like it is a costume. It could be a metaphor for self and identity, and when he removes it, he is removing a part of himself that makes him feel powerful. It is an illusion, but he wants to be known for being powerful. As he controls the storm, this applies. 

Ariel's character

In Act 1, Scene 2, we learn that Ariel has been on duty for Prospero or 'great master', and he is seemingly very confident with his days work. He is boastful; he 'flamed amazement', which demonstrates his hierarchy status because he can just change words. Here, he has changed a noun to a verb, and he is bending the rules and laws. However, he doesn't have control because Prospero has the upper hand, demanding more from him, and asking him questions, but not really asking them. Ariel is the lower person in this situation as his duty still isn't done and this brings about a feeling of tension between the two characters. Ariel is never truly a free character because previously, he was trapped in a tree, and it's possible that this happened to him because he was too confident and didn't do what he was told. Now, Prospero is his controller.