The Tempest can be considered as being ‘charming’ for many reasons. The idea of charm in the play is mostly introduced in the form of characters and is not particularly explored in any other way. The character in which can be described as possibly the one who shows the most charm in the play is Ferdinand. Ferdinand is the son of the King of Naples, Alonso. The King assumes that the tempest has caused his son’s early death as he has gone missing, which causes the King’s sombre mood. Ferdinand is portrayed as being polite and respectable. Ferdinand’s charm is shown through the task in which he is summoned to do by Prospero, his charm is shown here as he does it without complaint and hesitation even though it is back breaking work of lifting heavy logs. This enables the audience to find Ferdinand as being likeable as his true devotion towards Miranda and gaining her only family member’s respect is shown immediately as he meets her, this also creates us to believe him as being dreamingly charming as it is not possible to find a man who would show such devotion so early in meeting with a person they find they love.
On the contrary, the Tempest contains aspects in which are seemingly not charming. This idea again, is shown through characters of the play. Caliban is a savage and is Prospero’s deformed slave, he is the son of a witch named Sycorax and the devil. Sycorax left the Island to Caliban which was taken from him by Prospero. As Caliban’s appearance suggests he is anything but charming, “What have we here a man or a fish?", Trinculo is confused as to what Caliban is on there first encounter with each other which adds to the idea of his deformity and his lack of charm, as those who are considered charming are also considered as being good looking. Throughout the play Caliban continues to be mocked and thought of as a fish and just a simple money making scheme by other characters which allows us to realised Caliban’s lack of charm, as other characters would...