Presentation of Ariel

Who is Ariel?
Ariel is the spirit of the island that is under the command of Prospero.
When Prospero arrived on the island he found Ariel trapped in a tree by the old witch Sycrorax. He was trapped here because he would not do her bidding since she wanted black magic.
Ariel therefore in debt with Prospero who promises Ariels freedom when he has finished his work.
Prospero is seemingly only able to carry out his plans and ideas with Ariel, since Ariel is the executor.

Prospero and Ariel's relationship...

• There is a warm, affectionate relationship between the two characters majority of the time. Prospero often calls Ariel 'brave' and 'my quaint Ariel'.
• Ariel true nature is not to be servant to Prospero which we learn early on when Ariel demands 'Let me remember thee what thou hast promised, which has not yet performed me'. Therefore, Ariel is only willing to serve Prospero in the knowledge that he will gain his freedom in return.
• Prospero does threaten Ariel, 'If thou more murmur'st, I will rend an oak and peg thee in his knotty entrails' which makes Prospero seem less a less agreeable character and the relationship more one sided.
• Ariel seems to have little respect for Prospero, other than to be able to get his freedom. He does and tells Prospero exactly what he wants to hear giving no more and no less.
• Ariel could be seen to be respectful of Prospero addressing him as 'all hail, great master, grave sir, hail!' but this could be seen just to please Prospero with the hope of hurrying his release.
• Prosperous main speech to Ariel is fairly similar to his speech to Caliban, linking them both to being his servant. Prospero is very instructive 'Follow, and do me service' and only till Act 5 do we see a change. 
• In Act 5 we seen a switch of characterisations, Prospero become more consumed with power and Ariel become almost human. In his line Ariel states 'your affections would tender... mine would, sir, if I were human.'

Ariels Speech

Unlike Caliban, this language seems to be Ariel's native tongue and he speaks fluently and poetically throughout the play.

This adds to both his respect from the audience and his mysterious spirit like nature, contrasting him with the more human Caliban and Prospero at some points.

He speaks in mainly poetic verse, making the content of what he's saying - however simple - seem beautiful and enticing without sounding excessive.

Although...

We find Ariel did choose to not do the bidding of Sycorax since he did not agree with her magic which is why he was trapped in the tree. He will do the bidding of Prospero though which adds to Prospero's character as being a good magus, since this respectful spirit will do his bidding.

Yet, there is really no other option for Ariel - if he does not do as Prospero states he will find himself back in the tree and if he does he will be rewarded with freedom.

This means that Ariel most likely has very little respect or time for Prospero, seeing him as the oppressor that Caliban see's him as too. Ariel is cleverer though and understands that to get what he wants he must follow Prospero since at this point Prospero has the most power.

The idea he has little respect for Prospero is especially shown by when Prospero sets Ariel free there is no line with Ariel to reply with, he simply just vanishes. Insinuating that Ariel could not wait to get a way and didn't want to stay any longer. 

This does contrast with the question by Ariel earlier on in the play though when he asks 'Do you love me master? No?' The added 'No' on the end insinuates that Ariels feelings are that Prospero has enslaved him.

Key Quotes 

'Do you love me master? No?'

What is Ariel questioning here and how should is be presented?

The line interjects the rhythm of the previous speech given it emotional weight yet it can be read and performed in a variety of different ways.

Ariel could be questioning the idea of love, shown by the actor emphasising the love, since this has come just previous of the matrimony of Ferdinand and Miranda. Ariel could be asking Prospero, as a master and teacher, to explain to him what has happened which is accentuated by the fact Ariel is not human.

If the actor were to emphasise the me then Ariel could be seen to be asking if he was loveable, since he is not human and if Prospero was able to love him. The no on the end would therefore insinuate that to Ariels knowledge he is not able to be loved and is indeed just Prospero's servant.

The No could be read in a hopeful fashion which would insinuate that Ariel knows that Prospero surely loves him, which is reiterated by how Prospero refers to Ariel with terms of endearment.

It could also be read, with a pause and sullen to present how Ariel understands that Prospero does not love him and never will. 

The line brings Ariel closer to a human character and more empathetic. Ariels speech before this has mainly been in poetic verse, complex, beautiful and long which contrast with Prospero's and the other human characters more direct speech. This is important for making it seem realistic that he can change Prospero's mind to find virtue rather than vengeance.

This line adds to his childish nature, since as a child character he does not understand the world and must ask an 'adult' about it.

'Mine would, sir, if I were human'

From this quote the audience understands that Ariel knows he is not human, therefore does not have the same emotions at Prospero and the other human characters.

Having the if I were human the second point in the line makes the audience question whether Ariel does actually have any emotion, making him seem crueler and less empathetic.

Yet this line also makes him more empathetic since it is the line which enables Prospero to change his mind from vengeance to virtue.

Ariel is still respectful of Prospero calling him sir but is this because, since we know he is not human therefore has no empathy, he is trying to please Prospero into gaining his freedom. Therefore an automatic response he has been taught - nurture rather than nature. His final vanishing at the end of the play adds to this, since he has no grievances in leaving someone who he has served for over 14 years.

'You fools: I and my fellows are ministers of fate.'

Ariel is addressing Antonio, Alonso and Sebastian and his language here has changed drastically from the poetic songs found previous to this. In the majority of productions his voice is changed to be booming and overbearing adding to the frightening scene.

The change in language comes when Ariel is closer to his freedom insinuating a change in attitude. Instead of Ariel being the servant, his language shows how he has taken control of the situations. I and my fellows alludes to the idea that Ariel has the power rather than Prospero.

Critics Quotes
'Prospero has to let Ariel go, and keep Caliban.' Lionel Warner

Ariel and Caliban can be seen symbolic of two sides of Prospero, the human and magus.
Ariel can be seen to be representative of all which is above human, angelic and spiritual. Prospero acts as god throughout most of the play, moving the rest of the characters like pawns around the island. He is only able to do this with the help of his tricksy spirit. Therefore letting Ariel go at the end of the play can be seen as symbolic of Prospero letting go of all things above-human, he is no longer able to play god.
Ariel can be seen to represent a higher human nature when he tells Prospero that if you now beheld them, you're affections would tender which is what causes Prospero to change from vengeful to virtuous.
This contrasts with Caliban who could be seen as symbolic of all natural human instincts. One of Prospero final reference to Caliban in the play is this thing of darkness, I acknowledge mine. Calling Caliban a thing rather than a pronoun adds to the idea that Caliban is representative of Prospero darker human nature, which he cannot get rid of, as he cannot rid Caliban, but instead my accept.