Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Analysis of Major Characters
"Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is a classic Chinese historical novel that explores the complex dynamics of power and loyalty during the turbulent era of the Three Kingdoms. The major characters in the story include Liu Pei, the noble founder of the Shu Han Kingdom, known for his leadership skills and commitment to his friends; Kuan Yü, a revered warrior and strategist who embodies the ideal scholar-gentleman; and Chang Fei, Liu Pei’s impetuous and brave brother-in-arms. Each character plays a significant role in the unfolding narrative, with their personal qualities influencing the events of their time.
Chu-ko Liang, the brilliant prime minister, is pivotal in uniting the kingdoms, employing his extraordinary intellect and strategic prowess. In contrast, Ts’ao Ts’ao, the cunning ruler of Wei, represents a more unscrupulous side of leadership, emphasizing the moral complexities of power. Supporting characters like Sun Ch’uan and Chao Yün further enrich the tapestry of alliances and conflicts, showcasing themes of loyalty, ambition, and the tragic consequences of warfare. This rich character analysis invites readers to reflect on the virtues and vices within leadership and friendship amid historical adversity.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Luo Guanzhong
First published: San kuo chih yen-i, fourteenth century (English translation, 1925)
Genre: Novel
Locale: China
Plot: Historical
Time: Third century
Liu Pei, the legitimate heir to the Han Dynasty, the founder of one of the Three Kingdoms, and the exalted lord of a great people. His deeds are legend. Although history does not altogether bear out his nobility, in this involved tale he is a patriarchal warrior, noble and amiable, loyal to his friends, and terrible in battle. These attributes lie under a calm exterior, a dignified carriage, and eyes that supposedly can see from the back of his head. He is commonly called Liu Yuan-te. His rise from protector of a widowed mother, shoemaker, and able scholar to a leader in the rebellion occurs before he is twenty-eight years old. Wherever he goes, he inspires confidence, and with the help of his two friends, he conquers two of the Three Kingdoms and makes it possible to fuse the three before his death and the passing of his reign to a weakling son.
Kuan Yü, a clear-headed strategist; he is handsome, dignified, and somewhat aloof but awe-inspiring. So daring and resourceful a leader is he that he is revered as a war god and his deeds are still passed along in oral tradition. Determined to defend his sworn brother Liu Pei, he becomes second in command. A learned man, quick of wit, and austere, Kuan, or Yun-ch'ang (meaning “long as a cloud”), is the idealized Chinese scholar-gentleman-warrior. He antagonizes a rival leader, however, when he is recalled from the wars and made governor of a province; hence, he is killed. Liu Pei and Chang Fei avenge his death as they had sworn to do but thereby weaken the alliances.
Chang Fei, the first to recognize Liu but the least learned and most blunt of the triumvirate. He is an extremely elemental and realistic man. Rather short, with a bullet head, raucous voice, and bristling mustache, he is called I-te and is a wine seller and butcher by trade. He is the best soldier, the most daring in hand-to-hand combat, and surprisingly energetic and resourceful. One of his stratagems is the appearance of drunkenness to surprise his enemy. When Kuan is killed, Chang swears vengeance and is assassinated in the attempt.
Chu-ko Liang, more often known as Chuko K'ung-ming, the prime minister, whose abilities include conjuring, enchantment, magic, and sorcery. He is a remarkable man, talented in duplicity and stratagems, led by an ascendant star. It is he who finally unites the kingdoms. He is the only one of the original group to survive the first stages toward building a coalition. Liu is largely unsuccessful until this brilliant recluse is called out of his hermitage. Tragically worn out from the extreme labors of his loyalty, he dies, but he leaves a valuable book of strategy in warfare and a number of occult secrets.
Chiang Wei, Chu-ko's successor, the last of the great heroes of legend and fact, the carrier of a wooden image of his mentor to frighten men in battle. A young and brilliant scholar, loyal and filial, he is much esteemed as a warrior. Chu-ko Liang chooses him from among all others after testing his abilities.
Ts'ao Ts'ao, the king of Wei, the greatest single leader, although unscrupulous and cruel. Much more successful than his adversaries, at least in the beginning, Ts'ao is especially gifted in the art of government. Portrayed in later Chinese drama as the stereotyped villain, he is herein a master strategist, wily conspirator, and forceful administrator. To achieve his ambitions, he resorts to trickery and cunning more diligently than all the others. A seer thinks him able to rule the worldbuttoowickedtomanageit.
Chou Yü, another of the brilliant young scholar-warriors, the antagonist of the wizard, and the great defender of the opposition forces of Sun Ch'uan.
Ssü-ma I, the ultimate in rulers, a composite of the other heroes, who successfully establishes the kingdom.
Sun Ch'uan, the founder of the Wu Kingdom. He and Liu Pei form an alliance and defeat the forces of Ts'ao Ts'ao.
Chao Yün, a brave general of the Shu Han Kingdom.
Lü Po, a great warrior but one without principles. He is famous for his romantic involvement with Tiao Shan.