Sympathizing with a selfish manipulator

Prospero is a very dynamic character. Throughout the play he comes off as being very selfish and manipulative. He uses his magic to get what he wants from everyone he comes in contact with. Prospero forces Ariel to do his bidding, and bribes him by telling him he will free him earlier if he does his tasks well. That is how the ship wreck came about. He also aids in leading Stefano, Trinculo, and Caliban around the island in their drunken hazes, and gives them the opportunity to steal some fine cloths. He keeps the rest of the crew, including his brother, thoroughly confused and misinformed about the island and its inhabitants. The thing that upsets me the most about Prospero is how he forced Miranda's love, Ferdinand, to be a servant to him! He acted just like my father. They both tried to get in the way of true love because they think they know best. But, they don't! I ended up leaving my father forever. Prospero is lucky that Miranda forgave him for butting in. Although I'm not a huge fan of Prospero, I do still sympathize with him a little bit. It must have been awful for him when his own brother betrayed him. That makes it hard to completely hate him for the awful things he has done.