The most likely reason that the audience might sympathize with Prospero is that he was dethroned as Duke of Milan by his own brother.
The correct option is A.
In the play “The Tempest” Prospero is the protagonist who is sympathetic to the audience. He was betrayed by his younger brother who banished him from his kingdom and left him and his daughter on their fate. This is the only reason for sympathy for him. His other qualities include being a strict father, a dominating person and a strict master. He possesses magical powers with the help of which he is able to rule the land and the inhabitants of it. He punishes Caliban harshly and had made false promises to him when Caliban curses him of his harsh treatments. He is very manipulative and cunning. He had promised Arial that one day he will set him free but whenever Arial asks for his freedom he bursts in anger and warns him off sending him back to his imprisonment.
