Arms And the Man : Characters
Arms And the Man is a notable literary work by George Bernard Shaw. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Arms And the Man.
Characters
Major Characters:
Captain Bluntschli: Captain Bluntschli is a Swiss mercenary soldier. He fights in the war but does not have the usual soldier’s courage. He is practical and smart and prefers to save his life instead of being a hero. He runs away from the battlefield with a suitcase full of chocolates.
Raina Petkoff: Raina is the young and beautiful heroine of the play. At first, she believes in the romantic ideas of love and heroism. She is in love with a soldier, but later she learns the truth about love and war. Raina’s character changes from an innocent girl to a more realistic and understanding woman.
Sergius Saranoff: Sergius is Raina’s fiancé. He is a brave but somewhat foolish officer in the Bulgarian army. At first, he seems like a true hero, but he also shows weaknesses. He falls in love with Louka, and his character is shown to be a bit dramatic and full of pride. He struggles with his own feelings about love and honor.
Louka: Louka is a maid in the Petkoff household. She is smart and confident and knows how to get what she wants. She has big dreams and does not want to stay in a low position. Louka falls in love with Sergius and works hard to make him notice her. Her character is strong-willed, and she represents the desire for social mobility.
Minor Characters:
Catherine Petkoff: Catherine is Raina’s mother. She is a practical woman who loves her daughter but also cares deeply about social status. Catherine is concerned with keeping up appearances. She often behaves in a proper, conservative manner.
Nicola: Nicola is Louka’s fiancé and works as a servant. He is practical and serious. While Louka dreams of rising in society, Nicola is content with his role. He believes in steady and hardworking progress. He is calm and a realist, providing a contrast to Louka’s ambition.
Major Paul Petkoff: Major Paul Petkoff is Raina’s father. He is a high-ranking officer in the Bulgarian army. Major Petkoff is a typical soldier who values honor and military status. However, he is also somewhat naïve and unaware of the true nature of war.