The Tempest! Believe it.

Prospero is a self-indulging man who felt no disdain toward accenting his reputation. "Prospero the number one duke, famous for my dignity and my education" (Shakespeare, Act 1, Scene 2, Page 4). He was once a high duke of a powerful land, but was cheated out of his position because of his self-absorption and ill-placed trust. "As I neglected practical matters, being totally dedicated to solitude and to improving my mind with subjects more valuable than most people imagine, I was so shut away from the world that I unwittingly stirred up evil wishes in my disloyal brother" (Act 1, Scene 2, Page 5). His brother Antonio tricked Prospero and his daughter Miranda onto a secluded island where Prospero immediately deemed himself king and ruled over all of his subjects (Miranda, Caliban, and Ariel).
Prospero has many techniques in controlling his 'subjects'. As for Miranda, Prospero utilizes his fatherly role and encourages her and her role in his life."My dear, you were a little angel who kept me going. You smiled with a strength you must have gotten from heaven" (Act 1, Scene 2, Page 7). He mentions it was "With God's help" that they made it to shore and "his luck" that his enemies landed on the island. Prospero tries to entice the idea that it is in his destiny for all of this to happen, and he deserves it all. Since Miranda's only relationship in life is with her father she has no reason not to believe him and follow all of his words. He also works on controlling her heart when it comes to Ferdinand.
When it comes to Ariel Prospero uses black-mail and false hope to control all of her actions. When she asks about her promised freedom Propero goes straight to reminding her all that 'he had done for her'. "It was my magic that saved you when I arrived on the island and heard you" (Act 1, Scene 2, Page 13). And then he goes straight to threatening her by placing her back in a tree where she could not escape for twelve more years. This use of threats and black-mail cause Ariel to listen without question, and understandably, for under no circumstances would she want to go back how he had found her, especially after all the work she had done for him. And then when he is more satisfied he promises to "set her free in two days for doing such a great job" (Act 1, Scene 2, Page 20). Instilling this false sense of hope causes Ariel to follow Prospero with even more zeal because she is looking forward to an upcoming event.
Caliban is a different story. Caliban seems to recollect a different happening than Prospero. According to Caliban "This island belongs to me because Sycorax, my mother, left it to me. But you’ve taken it from me" (Act 1, Scene 2, Page 16). Caliban recalls that Prospero tricked information out of him by treating him nicely and then double crossed him. And Prospero states that Caliban attempted to rape his daughter and that is why he was seized of 'his island'. (Act 1, Scene 2, Page 16). So he was sentenced to live in a cave, which is 'better than being in jail' if they were in an acting society. Caliban is also manipulated with continual threats and insults aimed at he and his mother.
Prospero is certainly a devious creature.