The Tempest. Prospero's manipulation.

Prospero seems to have a tight hold on the people on the island with him. He tells stories of their past that make him seem like the hero. He takes advantage of the other characters by making them feel like they owe him something. Prospero saved Ariel from a witch's spell, and if she back talks him, he threatens to put her back into the spell. He tells her that she is lucky to have him, otherwise she would still be under the curse. When Ariel asked for a reduced sentence, he reminds her of the witch. "You lie, you nasty, ungrateful thing! Have you forgotten the horrid witch Sycorax, stooped over with old age and ill will? Have you forgotten her?" Prospero also tells Miranda of how he used to take care of her when she was little, and that he saved them both from drowning by not giving up because of her smile. He told her that she "was a little angel who kept [him] going". Telling her this, might have given her the feeling of gratitude and comfort towards Prospero, and might make her feel that she is in debt to him. Prospero keeps tabs on Caliban because earlier Caliban tried to rape Miranda. So now Prospero makes Caliban serve him. He tells Caliban that he deserves worse for what he did. Prospero makes all the characters on the island feel subordinate to him because of the things that transpired in the past. He uses the past to manipulate people into getting them to do what he wants. Prospero also uses other tactics of manipulation. He manipulated Miranda and Ferdinand into loving each other at the end Act 1. He uses Ariel to put his manipulation into action so that he succeeds. Prospero uses his control over Ariel to manipulate Miranda and Ferdinand.