Arcadia: Analysis of Major Characters
"Arcadia: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate relationships and motivations of key figures within the pastoral romance of "Arcadia." Central to the narrative are Pyrocles, the noble Prince of Macedon, and his cousin Musidorus, Prince of Thessalia, whose adventures and romantic pursuits drive the plot. Pyrocles, under the guise of Zelmane, becomes entangled in a love story with Princess Philoclea, while Musidorus pretends to court the less desirable Mopsa to win the heart of the more stately Princess Pamela.
The ruler of Arcadia, Basilius, is depicted as conflicted, grappling with desires that challenge his authority, especially regarding his daughters and Zelmane. His wife, Gynecia, faces her own turmoil as she navigates jealousy and desire for Pyrocles. Other significant characters include Amphialus, a warrior with ambitions to seize the throne, and Cecropia, his manipulative mother, alongside a cast of supporting figures like the loyal regent Philanax and the foolish shepherd Dametas.
The dynamics among these characters reveal themes of love, ambition, and conflict, examining how personal desires can lead to broader implications for family and governance. This analysis invites readers to consider the complex interplay of relationships in a narrative rich with romantic intrigue and societal challenges.
Arcadia: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Sir Philip Sidney
First published: 1590; revised, 1593 as The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia; revised, 1598
Genre: Novel
Locale: Arcadia, Greece
Plot: Pastoral
Time: Classical antiquity
Pyrocles (PI-rohk-leez), Prince of Macedon. Journeying with his cousin Musidorus, he fights on the side of justice in many countries before he reaches Arcadia and falls in love with a picture of the Princess Philoclea. He disguises himself as an Amazon, Zelmane, to be near his lady, only to find himself tormented by the passion of both her parents.
Musidorus (mew-sih-DOH-ruhs), his cousin and loyal friend, Prince of Thessalia. He masquerades as Dorus, a shepherd, and pretends to court the homely Mopsa in order to win the hand of the noble Princess Pamela, who is finally persuaded to run away with him.
Basilius (beh-SIH-lih-uhs), the ruler of Arcadia, who takes his Queen and their daughters into the country to prevent the fulfillment of an oracle's prophecy, which he fears portends disaster for him. He betrays both his age and his dignity in his passion for his daughter's companion, Zelmane.
Gynecia (jih-NEE-shih-uh), his young wife, who suffers agonies of conscience for the desire and jealousy she feels for Pyrocles, whose disguise she has penetrated. Resenting his attentions to Philoclea, she is freed from her passion only after she has almost killed her husband with a love potion intended for Zelmane.
Pamela, their stately, reserved older daughter, who is wooed and, after much resistance, won by Musidorus.
Philoclea (fih-lohk-LEE-uh), her sweeter, more submissive sister. She responds quickly to Pyrocles' love, but she lacks the strength with which Pamela meets difficulties.
Amphialus (am-FI-eh-luhs), Basilius' warrior nephew, who is spurred on by his ambitious mother and by his love for Philoclea to kidnap the princesses and take over the kingdom. Although he deeply regrets the deaths he causes, he cannot restrain his desire for fighting.
Cecropia (seek-ROH-pih-uh), Amphialus' ruthless mother, who spurs him on his ambitious path to overthrow her hated brother Basilius.
Philanax (fih-LA-naks), regent of Arcadia, a man of intelligence and integrity.
Dametas (day-MEE-tuhs), a foolish, arrogant shepherd, Pamela's guardian.
Miso (MI-soh), the sharp-tongued, jealous wife of Dametas.
Mopsa (MOP-suh), their homely daughter. Her stupidity makes her a useful cover for the blossoming romance between Musidorus and Pamela.
Argalus (AHR-guh-luhs), a worthy young lord and a devoted lover and husband. He dies defending the rights of his cousins, Pamela and Philoclea, against Amphialus.
Parthenia (pahr-THEE-nih-uh), Argalus' gracious wife. Grief-stricken at his death, she arms herself and fights a fatal duel with Amphialus, unwilling to live without her husband.
Demagoras (deh-MA-guh-ruhs), her vengeful rejected suitor.
Evarchus (eh-VAHR-kuhs), King of Macedon, who is judge in the trial after Basilius'apparent death. He is deeply grieved to learn that he has condemned his son Pyrocles and his nephew Musidorus, but he insists that he must endure his own suffering and uphold law and order.
Helen, Queen of Corinth. Enamored of Amphialus, she pursues him over the countryside while adoring his picture. She comes to heal his wounds after his combat with Musidorus.
Philoxenus (fih-lehk-ZEE-nuhs), a suitor of Helen. Jealous of her attentions to his foster brother, Amphialus, he challenges his rival and dies in the ensuing duel.
Timotheus (tih-MOH-thih-uhs), the father of Philoxenus.
Kalander (kah-LAN-dur), an Arcadian gentleman who shelters Musidorus after he has been shipwrecked.
Clitophon (KLI-tuh-fon), his son.
Ismenus (ihs-MEE-nuhs), Amphialus' devoted squire, killed in a battle with Philanax.
Phalantus (fuh-LAN-tuhs), a Corinthian knight who is persuaded by his selfish lady to defend the supremacy of her beauty against all challengers.
Artesia (ahr-TEE-shih-uh), Phalantus' disdainful lady, who spurns him after he loses a battle. Cecropia makes her a tool in her plot against Basilius and finally has her beheaded.
The King of Paphlagonia (pa-fluh-GOH-nee-uh), the model for Gloucester in Shakespeare's King Lear; a ruler blinded and exiled by his bastard son and aided by his more loyal child.
Leonatus (lee-uh-NAY-tuhs), his devoted son.
Plexirtus (plehk-SUR-tuhs), the bastard usurper, who tries to kill his virtuous brother.
Tydeus (TI-dih-uhs) and Telenor (teh-LEE-nur), allies of Plexirtus.
Erona (eh-ROH-nuh), a Lydian princess who defies her father to marry the son of her nurse.
Antiphilus (an-TIH-fih-luhs), her selfish, treacherous husband.
Tiridates (ti-rih-DAY-teez), the cruel king of Armenia, rejected by Erona.
Artaxia (ahr-TAK-sih-uh), his sister and successor.
Plangus (PLAN-guhs), the son of the king of Iberia. He joins Telenor's army after an unfortunate affair with a married woman. When he returns, he finds her wedded to his father. He later takes refuge in Arcadia.
Andromana (an-DROH-muh-nuh), his wanton stepmother.
Pamphilus (PAM-fih-luhs), a knight despised for his inhuman treatment of women.
Dido (DI-doh), one of his victims.
Chremes (KRAY-meez), her miserly father.
Palladius (puh-LA-dih-uhs), Plangus' half brother, the unlucky lover from whom Musidorus took his pseudonym.
Zelmane (zehl-MAY-nee), his sweetheart, who adored Pyrocles and followed him, in the disguise of a page, until her death.
Clinias (KLIH-nih-uhs), a smooth-tongued, crafty shepherd in Cecropia's service.
Anaxius (eh-NAK-shih-uhs), a powerful, gigantic knight who fought with Amphialus' army.
Zoilus (ZOY-luhs) and Lycurgus (li-KUR-guhs), his brothers, leaders of Amphialus' army after he is wounded.
Timautus (tih-MOH-tuhs), an ambitious nobleman who attempts to oust Philanax.
Sympathus (SIHM-puh-thuhs), Philanax's articulate supporter.
Kalodulus (kuh-LOH-joo-luhs), a devoted friend of Musidorus.
Dorilaus (doh-rih-LAY-uhs), Musidorus' father, killed in battle.