Old Mortality: Analysis of Major Characters
"Old Mortality" is a historical novel set in 17th-century Scotland, focusing on the tumultuous period of the Covenanter rebellion against the royalist forces. The story revolves around several key characters whose lives are deeply intertwined with this conflict. Henry Morton, a young gentleman, finds himself reluctantly caught up in the struggle, where his principles and loyalties are tested. He is saved from execution by his love interest, Edith Bellenden, who navigates her own challenges as a royalist sympathizer.
Lady Margaret Bellenden, Edith's grandmother, embodies the nostalgia for the monarchy and faces adversity from both the Covenanters and a treacherous relative, Basil Olifant, who seeks to usurp their estate. Colonel John Grahame, a royalist officer known for his stern judgment, ultimately shows respect for Henry, while Lord Evandale, Henry's honorable rival for Edith's affection, plays a tragic role as he becomes a victim of political machinations.
The narrative also features the fanatical John Balfour of Burley and his vengeful actions against royalists, contrasting with the more moderate approach of Henry. Other notable figures include Cuddie Headrigg, Henry's loyal servant, and various Covenanter leaders, adding depth to the exploration of loyalty, love, and conflict amid a backdrop of historical upheaval. The novel raises questions about the nature of honor and allegiance during times of civil strife, making it a rich subject for analysis of its complex characters.
Old Mortality: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Sir Walter Scott
First published: 1816
Genre: Novel
Locale: Scotland
Plot: Historical
Time: 1679
Henry Morton, a gallant young Scottish gentleman unwillingly involved in the revolt of the Covenanters against the Crown in 1679. After aiding John Balfour of Burley, the Covenanter leader and a friend of his dead father, Henry is arrested and sentenced for treason, but he is saved through the intercession of his sweetheart, Edith Bellenden. Still a prisoner, he witnesses the victory of the rebels. Henry is rescued by Balfour and made a member of their council. A moderate, he detests their violence but helps them take a castle peacefully and then leads an attack against the victorious royal forces. After the battle of Bothwell Bridge, Henry is sent into exile. He returns years later to find that Edith is about to marry his rival, Lord Evandale. Henry's attempt to save his rival from assassins fails, leaving him free to marry Edith.
Lady Margaret Bellenden, a staunch royalist, the mistress of Tillietudlem Castle. She lives in the past, when King Charles II visited the castle. Ousted from her estate by Covenanters and her unscrupulous turncoat relative, Basil Olifant, she is forced to live on charity until Basil's death.
Edith Bellenden, Lady Margaret's modest, attractive granddaughter and Henry Morton's sweetheart, who shares her family's royalist sympathies. When Henry is sentenced to die, she saves him by appealing to her other suitor, Lord Evandale, to intercede for him. While Henry is in exile in Holland, Basil Olifant lays claim to the Tillietudlem estates. Homeless, Edith and her grandmother are forced to live on the charity of friends. When Henry returns, she refuses to marry Lord Evendale. The death of the young nobleman in a plot hatched by Olifant leaves Edith free to marry Henry.
Colonel John Grahame, called Grahame of Claverhouse or simply Claverhouse, the experienced, noble royalist soldier who sternly sentences Henry Morton to death. Gradually, he comes to respect Henry's personal honor, and he sees to it that Henry is exiled rather than shot after the defeat of the Covenanters at Bothwell Bridge. He later becomes the Jacobite rebel Viscount Dundee and leads his Highlanders against King William's troops. He is mortally wounded at the battle of Killiecrankie.
Lord Evandale, Henry's honorable young royalist rival for Edith Bellenden's hand. Having saved Henry from execution, Lord Evandale is rescued twice from the Covenanters by Henry. During Henry's exile, he gives financial aid to Edith and her aged grandmother. He is murdered by a party of assassins led by Basil Olifant.
John Balfour of Burley, the ambitious, fanatical Covenanter leader who befriends Henry Morton. A vengeful killer of royalists, he is unmerciful to his enemies. After his troops have been defeated at the battle of Bothwell Bridge, he goes into hiding. Later, having fallen out with Henry, the crazed Balfour is killed while attempting to escape after the murder of Lord Evandale by a band of vengeful Covenanters.
Basil Olifant, a villainous relation of the Bellenden family. A turncoat, he joins the Covenanters and usurps the Bellenden estate. Threatened by Lord Evandale, Olifant ambushes him and orders the young nobleman's death. He himself is shot by a party of dragoons, led by Henry Morton, who arrive too late to prevent Lord Evandale's death.
Cuddie Headrigg, Henry Morton's resourceful, easygoing servant. He aids Henry during the Covenanter rebellion, saves him from murderous fanatics after the defeat, and eventually marries Edith Bellenden's pert maid, Jenny Dennison.
Mause Headrigg, Cuddie's outspoken Covenantist mother. She is forced to become a vagrant because of her harangues.
Major Bellenden, Edith's old, upright royalist uncle, who respects Henry Morton and tries to save him from execution. Later, he unsuccessfully defends Tillietudlem Castle.
Sergeant Francis Bothwell, the hardy, bullying royalist soldier who takes Henry Morton prisoner. He is killed by Balfour after being disarmed.
Cornet Grahame, Claverhouse's bold, gallant young nephew. He is unexpectedly shot by Balfour while trying to negotiate with the rebel leader under a flag of truce.
The Squire of Milnwood, Henry Morton's miserly uncle. Though a Covenanter by faith, he helps no one in those troubled times and berates Henry for giving John Balfour a place to sleep.
Wittenbold, the captain of a dragoon squad that tries, at Henry Morton's urging, to save Lord Evandale's life. The dragoons defeat the assassins at great loss.
Jenny Dennison, Edith's spirited, pretty maid. She marries Cuddie after he is released by the royalists. They have a number of children.
Mistress Alison Wilson, the squire's housekeeper at Milnwood. Though sharp-tongued and cranky, she is fond of Henry Morton.
Macbriar, a Covenanter leader who suffers torture rather than reveal John Balfour's hiding place after the defeat of the rebels.
The Duke of Monmouth, the royalist general who defeats the Covenanter forces at Bothwell Bridge.
Kettledrummle and Poundtext, two fanatical Covenanter preachers inclined to verbosity and cruelty.
Mucklewrath, an insanely vengeful old Covenanter.
Old Mortality, the graveyard caretaker who supplies the author with the stories that form the core of the novel.