Caliban and Ariel are two characters in William Shakespeare's play, "The Tempest." While they both serve the protagonist, Prospero, and play significant roles in the story, they are quite different in their actions, personalities, and backgrounds.
Caliban is a native of the island on which the play is set and is the son of the witch, Sycorax. He is portrayed as a primitive, savage, and brutish character who is initially resistant to Prospero's attempts to educate and civilize him. Caliban is also depicted as being envious of Prospero and plots to kill him in order to take over the island. Despite this, Caliban does show some remorse for his actions and eventually comes to accept Prospero's rule.
Ariel, on the other hand, is an airy spirit who was imprisoned in a tree by Sycorax before Prospero arrived on the island. Ariel is loyal and obedient to Prospero, who freed him from the tree and has promised to release him from his service. Ariel is also described as being graceful, swift, and mischievous, and he uses his magical powers to help Prospero carry out his plans. Unlike Caliban, Ariel does not have any selfish or malevolent motives and is simply trying to fulfill his duties to Prospero.
One major difference between Caliban and Ariel is their relationship with Prospero. Caliban resents Prospero's control over him and is constantly trying to rebel, while Ariel is devoted to Prospero and willingly follows his orders. This is likely due to the fact that Caliban is a native of the island and has a stronger sense of independence, while Ariel is a spirit who is not bound by the same physical constraints and has a more subservient nature.
Another difference between the two characters is their level of intelligence and understanding. Caliban is depicted as being more animalistic and lacking in knowledge and culture, while Ariel is intelligent and has a greater understanding of the world. This is likely due to the fact that Ariel has been exposed to a wider range of experiences and has had the opportunity to learn from Prospero, while Caliban has been isolated on the island for most of his life.
Overall, Caliban and Ariel are two very different characters in "The Tempest." While they both serve Prospero and play important roles in the story, they have distinct personalities, backgrounds, and relationships with the main character.