Lalla Rookh: An Oriental Romance: Analysis of Major Characters
"Lalla Rookh: An Oriental Romance" is a narrative that explores themes of love, identity, and devotion through its major characters. The story centers on Lalla Rookh, the daughter of Emperor Aurungzebe, who is set to marry King Aliris of Bucharia. As she journeys to Cashmere, she encounters Feramorz, a poet and servant in her bridal caravan, with whom she falls in love. In a twist of fate, it is revealed that Feramorz is actually King Aliris, who has disguised himself to win Lalla Rookh’s heart.
The character Fadladeen serves as an insightful yet critical observer, often dismissing Feramorz's poetry until he learns of the poet's true identity, which leads to a change of heart. Meanwhile, Emperor Aurungzebe and Abdalla, the former king of Bucharia and Aliris's father, provide a broader political backdrop to the romance. This story intertwines personal relationships with cultural and royal expectations, offering a rich tapestry of emotions and societal norms, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of love and identity in a historical context.
Lalla Rookh: An Oriental Romance: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Thomas Moore
First published: 1817
Genre: Poetry
Locale: India
Plot: Love
Time: c. 1700
Lalla Rookh (Tulip Cheek), Emperor Aurungzebe's daughter, promised to King Aliris. She sets forth by caravan for Cashmere, where she is to meet and marry her betrothed. Among the servants in the bridal entourage is the poet Feramorz, with whom Lalla Rookh falls in love. Wishing to present her heart undefiled to her bridegroom, she banishes the poet from her presence, only to learn to her joy on her arrival in Cashmere that Feramorz is Aliris, disguised for the purpose of winning her love.
Aliris, the young king of Bucharia. To win the love of his betrothed, Lalla Rookh, he disguises himself as the poet Feramorz and accompanies the bridal caravan to Cashmere. With his beauty and the charms of his music and poetry, Feramorz wins the love of the bride-to-be. When the caravan arrives in Cashmere, he reveals himself as King Aliris, disguised.
Fadladeen, the chamberlain of the harem and a bumptious know-all. As protector of Lalla Rookh in the bridal caravan, he delivers opinions on all subjects and persons, especially on the poet Feramorz, whose beautiful love poems he attacks with a particular vehemence as he analyzes them from every possible angle. When he finally learns Feramorz's true identity as King Aliris, he recants and proclaims the king the greatest poet of all time.
Aurungzebe, the emperor of Delhi and Lalla Rookh's father.
Abdalla, the recently abdicated king of Lesser Bucharia and the father of young King Aliris.