Saul: Analysis of Major Characters
The analysis of major characters in the narrative surrounding Saul, the first king of Israel, delves into the complexities of his relationships and mental state as he grapples with paranoia and instability. Saul, initially a respected ruler, becomes increasingly influenced by his cousin Abner and the priests of Nob, leading to his irrational behavior towards David, a celebrated warrior who once brought him glory by defeating Goliath. Despite their bond, Saul's fluctuating emotions manifest in fear and suspicion, culminating in David's exile under threat of death. The relationship between Saul and David is marked by moments of reconciliation, but ultimately, Saul's deteriorating mental health and the manipulations of those around him, including Abner and Ahimelech, contribute to his downfall. Saul's son Jonathan remains a staunch ally of David, yet his loyalty fails to sway his father’s erratic judgment. Michal, Saul's daughter and David's wife, also faces turmoil as she navigates her family’s conflict. The tragic culmination of these tensions results in Saul's death by suicide during a disastrous battle against the Philistines, reflecting the devastating impact of his paranoia and the loss of his kingdom.
Saul: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Vittorio Alfieri
First published: 1788 (English translation, 1815)
Genre: Play
Locale: Gilboa, Israel
Plot: Tragedy
Time: Eleventh century b.c.e.
Saul (SAWL), the aging king of Israel who, influenced by his cousin Abner and the priests of Nob, becomes paranoid and turns against David, hero of the battles with the Philistines following David's defeat of the giant, Goliath. Saul's mental faculties are rapidly deteriorating, so his feelings regarding David fluctuate from moment to moment. Saul exiles David from his kingdom under threat of execution should he return. When David finally does return to Gilboa to humble himself before the deranged king and beg his forgiveness, Saul's cousin, Abner, urges Saul to kill David, insisting that he was the cause of various misfortunes that had befallen Saul. Yet, in a dream, David's loyalty to Saul is revealed, and the ambivalent relationship between Saul and David becomes more solid although no more stable. Ultimately, however, Saul's kingdom is defiled by the king's irrationality and violence. The Israelites are defeated in the battle against the Philistines in which Saul's son Jonathan also dies. Saul, wholly defeated, falls on his sword, a suicide.
David, the play's protagonist. Small of stature, he has defeated the mighty giant Goliath and afterward has won a victory over the Philistines. Saul honors and values him. He is the closest friend of Jonathan, Saul's son, and eventually marries Saul's daughter, Michal. Influenced by evil priests and by a conniving cousin, Abner, Saul begins to feel threatened by David and exiles him. Eventually, David returns to humble himself before Saul and to beg his forgiveness even though there is nothing to forgive. Saul fluctuates between loving and valuing David and fearing and suspecting him. David proves that his motives are pure by demonstrating to Saul that he had the opportunity to kill him but did not. Back in Saul's good graces, David urges the king to allow the deceitful and dangerous Abner to continue in his post as commander. Finally, a distraught Saul, clearly insane, flies into a tirade against David, which brings him and his kingdom to ruin. The Israelites are defeated by the Philistines and Saul kills himself by falling on his sword.
Jonathan, Saul's son and David's closest friend. Jonathan remains loyal to David but cannot convince his deranged father of David's loyalty and trustworthiness. Jonathan finally meets his end in the last battle of the Israelites against the Philistines.
Michal (mee-SHAWL), Saul's daughter, Jonathan's sister, and David's wife. Michal suffers separation from her husband when Saul exiles him. When David steals into Gilboa at night following his exile, she and Jonathan inform him of Abner's treachery, which has turned Saul against David. As the Philistines approach in the Israelites' last battle against them, Michal seeks out her father but finds that he is hallucinating, confusing her with his old enemy Samuel. He appeals to her for David's return even if this signals his own death, which occurs by suicide shortly afterward.
Abner (AB-ner), Saul's vicious and deceitful cousin, who, along with the priests of Nob, poisons the king's mind against David. Abner commands Saul's forces and, even after David's reconciliation with the king and his return to the kingdom, is retained as commander at David's behest.
Ahimelech (AH-ee-MEE-lehk), a cunning priest of Nob who plants suspicions about David in Saul's failing mind. Surrounded by counselors like Abner and Ahimelech, Saul's paranoia proliferates. Eventually, however, when he is reconciled with David, Saul orders Abner to kill Ahimelech and the other priests of Nob.