Gulliver's giant feet walking in the diminuative forest of the lilliputians

Gulliver's Travels

by Jonathan Swift

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Gulliver's Travels Characters

The main characters in Gulliver’s Travels include Lemuel Gulliver, the emperor of Lilliput, and Gulliver’s Houyhnhnm master.

  • Lemuel Gulliver is the story’s narrator and protagonist, a well-educated member of the English gentry, and a ship’s surgeon. His voyages around the world turn him into a misanthrope.
  • The emperor of Lilliput belongs to a race of miniature people, the Lilliputians. He first welcomes Gulliver, then turns against him when Gulliver refuses to attack Blefuscu.
  • Gulliver’s Houyhnhnm master belongs to a peaceful society of sentient horses. Like all the Houyhnhnms, who regard the human-like Yahoos as beasts, he is entirely honest and reasonable.

Characters

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Lemuel Gulliver

Lemuel Gulliver is the protagonist, the narrator, and by far the most major character, providing the only connection between the four parts of the narrative. He is a minor member of the English country gentry, the son of a small landowner. He received a good education at the ancient universities of Cambridge and Leiden, then became a surgeon, practicing mainly on board ship. Apart from his love of travel, Gulliver has few consistent character traits, since one of his most important roles is to provide a foil for the society in which he finds himself in each part of the narrative, or for a particular character. In part 1, for instance, he shows no particular patriotism, but in part 2, he suddenly becomes a zealous apologist for England when engaged in conversation with the king of Brobdingnag. His experiences and hardships, particularly his observations of the Yahoos in part 4, have made him a misanthrope by the end of the book.

The Emperor of Lilliput, Golbasto Momarem Evlame Gurdilo Shefin Mully Ully Gue

The emperor of Lilliput at first appears an ideal prince. He is tall by Lilliputian standards, handsome, and accomplished. He receives Gulliver graciously and supplies his considerable needs for food, clothing, and accommodation. He also sets Gulliver free and bestows upon him the title of nardac (equivalent to a duke in England) for his capture of fifty Blefuscudian warships. However, immediately after this, the emperor turns against Gulliver, revealing an ungrateful and tyrannical side to his nature. When Gulliver refuses to help the emperor to enslave Blefuscu, the emperor agrees with his ministers that Gulliver should first be blinded, then starved to death. The reader’s final impression of the emperor, therefore, is that he is cruel and treacherous. In this, he seems a fitting representative for his people.

Finance Minister Flimnap

The finance minister is well-known as the best tightrope performer at court and, since this is regarded as a qualification for high office, one of the ablest ministers. He comes to hate Gulliver, principally because he is suspicious of his wife and believes that she visits Gulliver secretly. Gulliver assures the reader that there is no foundation for these suspicions and that Flimnap merely has a suspicious mind after participating in court intrigues for so many years.

Admiral Skyresh Bolgolam

Skyresh Bolgolam is the supreme commander of the Lilliputian navy. He has few obvious character traits beyond his cruelty, deviousness, and hatred of Gulliver, which Gulliver protests he has done nothing to cause.

Secretary Reldresal

Reldresal is Gulliver’s closest friend and takes his side in the court councils where his future is discussed. However, his idea of clemency in that Gulliver should be blinded rather than murdered, and he even tacitly acquiesces to the plan to starve Gulliver to death. Though relatively well-disposed to Gulliver, he is not, therefore, a particularly true or constant friend, and is portrayed as a fairly typical devious Lilliputian minister.

The Emperor of Blefuscu

Although the emperor of Blefuscu only appears briefly at the end of part 1, he treats Gulliver kindly and helps him to return home. Gulliver trusts him and remarks on his generosity and grace. However, he had exactly the same impression of the treacherous Lilliputian emperor after a similarly brief acquaintance.

The Farmer

The unnamed farmer in whose field Gulliver is found initially treats him kindly but soon displays an avaricious streak and starts exhibiting Gulliver for money. He does this for such long hours that the punishing schedule damages Gulliver’s health. The farmer believes he will soon die and is only too happy to...

(This entire section contains 1133 words.)

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realize a quick profit by selling him to the queen.

Glumdalclitch

The farmer’s nine-year-old daughter is called Glumdalclitch, or “little nurse,” by Gulliver. She is kind and affectionate, the only one of the farmer’s family who seems genuinely to care for Gulliver. She remains with him and looks after him when he goes to court.

The King of Brobdingnag

The king is portrayed as a wise man and a deep thinker, with scholarly interests. He seems fond of Gulliver but does not take him seriously, regarding him with benevolent contempt as an inferior being.

The Queen of Brobdingnag

The queen is kind and motherly. She treats Gulliver as a pet and is indulgent in providing entertainment for him, as well as being amused by his escapades.

The Queen’s Dwarf

The queen’s dwarf is generally malevolent and conceives a particular antipathy for Gulliver. He is whipped several times for mistreating the only man at court smaller than he is, a proceeding which only increases his dislike.

Captain Thomas Wilcocks

The captain who rescues Gulliver is portrayed as a kindly, down-to-earth, and intelligent man who listens patiently to Gulliver’s story. He will take none of the curiosities from Brobdingnag which Gulliver offers him, which is evidence of both honor and good taste.

Captain William Robinson

William Robinson has commanded ships on which Gulliver has traveled before and always treated him well, even as an equal rather than a subordinate. He clearly has great respect for Gulliver and offers him double pay as well as a share in the command to serve as surgeon on his ship.

The King of Laputa

The king of Laputa is generous and courteous but, like his subjects, completely impractical. He is interested only in mathematical and scientific problems and has little interest in the practicalities of government.

Lord Munodi

Lord Munodi is a former governor of Lagado and is a great and wealthy man. However, he is regarded as a fool by the people of Laputa and Balnibarbi because he prefers to apply knowledge practically rather than consider it in abstraction. Consequently, his are the only well-run estates in the country, but he is under pressure to reform them so that they resemble all the others in their squalor and disorder.

The King of Luggnagg

The king of Luggnagg at first appears rather terrifying. Those who appear before him are required to lick the dust on the floor of his throne room. However, he receives Gulliver hospitably and later presses him to accept an appointment at court. When Gulliver refuses, the king sends him on his way with handsome gifts.

Gulliver’s Houyhnhnm Master

Gulliver’s master in part 4 is not named or given any individual characteristics and is a thoroughly representative example of a Houyhnhnm, being temperate, virtuous, entirely honest, and solely guided by reason in all matters.

Captain Pedro de Mendez

The Portuguese captain who rescues Gulliver and brings him to Lisbon is kindly, courteous, and wise. Gulliver, however, is unable to appreciate these qualities properly because he sees de Mendez as a Yahoo. The captain’s generous treatment of Gulliver, despite his sullen conduct, is a testament to his tolerance and good nature.

Expert Q&A

What's the major difference between the Lilliputians and the Brobdingnagians in Gulliver's Travels?

In "Gulliver's Travels," the primary distinction between the Lilliputians and the Brobdingnagians lies in their character and size. The Lilliputians, despite being small, are cruel and exploitative, using Gulliver for their gain. Conversely, the Brobdingnagians, despite being giants, are good-willed, virtuous, and respectful, treating Gulliver with care and dignity. Furthermore, the Lilliputians' society is characterized by petty disputes and conflicts, while the Brobdingnagians seek peace and harmony.

Why was Gulliver named "Quinbus Flestrin" in Gulliver's Travels?

Gulliver is named "Quinbus Flestrin" by the Lilliputians because of his enormous size compared to their tiny stature. The name translates to "the Man-Mountain" or "the Great Man Mountain," highlighting how perspective can drastically alter the perception of size and significance. This nickname underscores a major theme in Gulliver's Travels: the importance of perspective.

Who is Gulliver's enemy in Lilliput?

In Gulliver's Travels, Gulliver has two enemies in Lilliput. The first is Flimnap, the lord high treasurer, and the second is Skyresh Bolgolam, the high-admiral. The two work together to persuade the emperor that Gulliver's behavior is treasonous and that he should be killed.

What is the character sketch of the King of Brobdingnag in Gulliver's Travels?

The King of Brobdingnag is depicted as open-minded and hospitable, showing interest in Gulliver's stories about English politics. His critical view of English society highlights his higher moral standards and sense of humor. He rejects the use of gunpowder, valuing his people's welfare over power, portraying him as a benevolent ruler. Swift uses the King to critique English politics, presenting him as a wise judge of Gulliver's homeland.

What is the King of Brobdingnag's view on the past hundred years of English history?

The King of Brobdingnag views the past hundred years of English history as a series of conspiracies, rebellions, and violent acts driven by greed, ambition, and malice. He is appalled by the English people's behavior, describing them as bloodthirsty, hypocritical, and malicious. The King criticizes England's mercenary army and frequent wars, concluding that the British are a "pernicious race of little odious vermin." His perspective highlights the violence and moral corruption in English history.

What are the qualities of the Blefuscu emperor in Gulliver's Travels?

The Blefuscu emperor in "Gulliver's Travels" is characterized by generosity, fairness, and virtue. He welcomes Gulliver warmly and aids in his departure by offering ships and materials to repair his boat, unlike the Lilliputian emperor. The Blefuscu ruler also provides Gulliver with gifts like gold and provisions for his journey. He is forgiving of Gulliver's past actions against Blefuscu and does not exploit him, showcasing a more virtuous nature than his Lilliputian counterpart.

Compare the Emperor of Lilliput's court to the King of Brobdingnag's court in Gulliver's Travels.

The Emperor of Lilliput's court is characterized by its absurdity and trivial qualifications for court positions, such as rope-dancing, reflecting a superficial and warlike nature. The Emperor is aggressive, focusing on petty conflicts. In contrast, the King of Brobdingnag's court is peace-loving and generous. The King is horrified by Gulliver's accounts of England's wars and weaponry, viewing them as barbaric. This highlights the satirical comparison between England and the two fictional courts.

Who is Skyresh Bolgolam in Gulliver's Travels?

In Gulliver's Travels, Skyresh Bolgolam is a High Admiral of Lilliput and Gulliver's greatest enemy at the Lilliputian court.

Describe the Struldbrugs in Gulliver's Travels.

Struldbrugs are immortals in Gulliver's Travels marked by a spot on their forehead, indicating their eternal life. Initially, they live like ordinary people, but after thirty, they become increasingly miserable and isolated. By eighty, they are legally dead, losing all possessions to heirs. At ninety, they deteriorate physically and become linguistically isolated over centuries. This immortality leads to a wretched existence, making them despised and considered ominous by society.

Can you provide a character sketch of the King of Lilliput?

The King of Lilliput is depicted as a comically absurd and pompous autocrat. Though he takes himself seriously, he is small-minded and vindictive, punishing minor offenses harshly. Despite his court's grandeur, he is a petty tyrant, eager to conquer Blefuscu without reason. Although he believes he holds power, he is easily influenced by his ministers. His demand for absolute loyalty leads him to plot against Gulliver when he refuses to attack Blefuscu.

Which character from Gulliver's Travels in Lilliput is the most amusing or interesting?

Skyresh Bolgolam is an amusing character due to his baseless antagonism towards Gulliver, which leads him to undermine and attempt to impeach him despite Gulliver's contributions to Lilliput. His irrational hatred is intriguing and reflects human motivations. Alternatively, the Emperor is also interesting for his pragmatic yet cautious treatment of Gulliver. His reactions reflect those of a real politician, balancing Gulliver's potential usefulness and threat to his kingdom.

How would you describe the character of the Queen of Brobdingnag?

The Queen of Brobdingnag is portrayed as a kind but somewhat naive character who regards Gulliver as a pet. She is delighted by his wit and intelligence despite his small size and ensures he is well cared for. The queen is generous and affectionate but lacks deep understanding of Gulliver's fears and struggles. Her amusement with Gulliver reflects her simplistic view, highlighting her kindness rather than insightfulness in Jonathan Swift's satirical narrative.

Is Gulliver an everyman figure or does he have a distinctive personality?

Gulliver serves as both an everyman and a character with a distinctive personality. As an everyman, he represents the typical Englishman, blind to his own and his society's flaws, allowing Swift to satirize English politics and religion. However, Gulliver also reflects Swift's views in satirical passages and appears foolish in exaggerated scenarios, highlighting human greed and folly. Thus, Gulliver embodies both a universal human nature and distinct characteristics.

Describe Gulliver's early life.

Gulliver, the third of five sons, pursued a medical career with his father's support. He apprenticed under Mr. James Bates and studied navigation and math, anticipating a future at sea. Despite attempts to establish a medical practice, failures led him to serve as a ship's doctor on voyages. His ventures were largely unsuccessful, with failed practices and voyages, until a shipwreck led him to Lilliput, where the main adventures of his story begin.

In Gulliver's Travels, how does Gulliver's interaction with the Houyhnhnms highlight human/animal relations?

Gulliver's interactions with the Houyhnhnms challenge traditional human-animal relations by presenting intelligent horses and brutish Yahoos. Gulliver identifies more with the rational Houyhnhnms than with humans, leading him to view humanity as animalistic. This perspective questions the morality of human dominance over animals, suggesting that domestication could be akin to slavery. The Houyhnhnms' intelligence contrasts with human corruption, prompting Gulliver to reassess the nature of human superiority and animal potential.

The character and personality traits of Gulliver in "Gulliver's Travels."

Gulliver is depicted as curious, adventurous, and open-minded, traits that drive his voyages. He is also rational and observant, often analyzing the cultures he encounters. Despite his intelligence, he can be naïve and overly trusting, leading to his exploitation. His experiences gradually make him more cynical and misanthropic, reflecting his disillusionment with humanity.

What distinguishes Gulliver from a Yahoo at the beginning of Gulliver's Travels?

At the beginning, Gulliver is distinguished from a Yahoo by his clothing and ability to communicate. The Houyhnhnms initially mistake him for a Yahoo, but his clothes and rational speech set him apart. When compared directly to a Yahoo, Gulliver is shocked by their similar human form, but the Houyhnhnms recognize his reasonableness and communication skills, which mark him as different and deserving of respect as a rational being.

Character sketch of the Emperor of Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels

The Emperor of Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels is a complex character. He is depicted as being both ambitious and somewhat tyrannical, with a desire for power and control. He is also portrayed as being somewhat petty and vain, focusing on trivial matters and expecting absolute loyalty from his subjects. Despite his flaws, he is an effective ruler who manages to maintain order in his kingdom.

Who is Gulliver in "Gulliver's Travels", and what's his wife's name?

Gulliver, in "Gulliver's Travels," is Lemuel Gulliver, the third of five sons who becomes a ship's surgeon. He marries Mary Burton, receiving a dowry of four hundred pounds. After his medical practice in London fails, he returns to sea, which sets the stage for his adventures. Gulliver's life is marked by his attempts to establish a successful career amid financial struggles.

Do you agree that the king of Brobdingnag is the most sympathetic character in "Gulliver's Travels"?

The king of Brobdingnag is portrayed as a sympathetic character in "Gulliver's Travels," though not the most sympathetic. While he is reasonable, a good listener, and an excellent questioner, he is also judgmental, reflecting the rashness of English society that Swift satirizes. The Houyhnhnms are considered more sympathetic due to their rationality and the logical, harmonious society they create, which Gulliver admires.

The depiction, characteristics, and differences between the Yahoos and Gulliver in "Gulliver's Travels"

The Yahoos in "Gulliver's Travels" are depicted as brutish and uncivilized creatures, embodying humanity's basest instincts. In contrast, Gulliver, although initially horrified by them, eventually recognizes aspects of himself and human society in the Yahoos. This comparison highlights the differences between Gulliver's perceived civility and the Yahoos' raw nature, ultimately critiquing human behavior and societal norms.

How does Gulliver's experience with the Lilliputians and Blefuscudians shape his character?

Gulliver's experiences with the Lilliputians and Blefuscudians reveal his character as fair-minded and gentle, though somewhat socially unaware. Despite his ability to overpower the Lilliputians, he chooses not to harm them, demonstrating his mild disposition. He also refuses to enslave the Blefuscudians, showing his commitment to justice. His actions, such as extinguishing a fire with urine, while offensive to some, highlight his practicality and kindness amidst the Lilliputians' trivial conflicts.

What battles has Gulliver fought in "Gulliver's Travels", and did he win or lose?

In "Gulliver's Travels," Gulliver fights in the conflict between Lilliput and Blefuscu, sparked by a disagreement over how to crack eggs. Although he finds the cause trivial, Gulliver aids Lilliput by capturing Blefuscu's ships, leading to Blefuscu's eventual surrender. He refuses to help Lilliput conquer Blefuscu fully, opposing the injustice, which results in backlash against him. Ultimately, Gulliver's intervention helps resolve the conflict with minimal harm.

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