Characters Discussed
Last Updated on January 20, 2017, by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: 364
Kaleva
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Kaleva, the ancestor of all heroes. Although he never appears in the poem, he is one of the unifying principles of this saga, which is put together from the Finnish folk tales of many generations.
Väinämöinen
Väinämöinen, the singer-hero, who is the Son of the Wind and the Virgin of the Air. Seeking a daughter of Louhi, the witch, for his wife, Väinämöinen is required to furnish the mother with a magic Sampo that grinds out riches. He provides the Sampo, but the daughter chooses another man for a husband. A large part of Väinämöinen’s story is then concerned with his efforts to recover the Sampo and the catastrophic results of his theft.
Ilmarinen
Ilmarinen, the smith-hero and forger of the sky and of the Sampo required of Väinämöinen by Louhi. He is in love with Louhi’s daughter and is chosen by her over Väinämöinen.
Lemminkäinen
Lemminkäinen, a warrior-hero, who seeks as a wife a daughter of Louhi.
Joukahäinen
Joukahäinen, a young man defeated by Väinämöinen in a duel of magic songs.
Aino
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Aino, Joukahäinen’s sister, who is won in a song duel by Väinämöinen. She drowns herself rather than marry him.
Louhi
Louhi, a witch, the ruler of Pohjola, and the mother of beautiful daughters sought as wives by Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen, and Lemminkäinen.
Kyllikki
Kyllikki, the flower of Saari, who is abducted by Lemminkäinen.
Vipunen
Vipunen, a giant who swallows and disgorges Väinämöinen.
Tiera
Tiera, Lemminkäinen’s warrior companion.
Kullervo
Kullervo, a sullen, powerful slave who kills Ilmarinen’s wife and ravishes his own sister. In despair, he falls on his sword.
Untamöinen
Untamöinen, Kullervo’s uncle, who carries off Kullervo’s mother. When Kullervo grows up, he kills Untamöinen.
Kalervo
Kalervo, Kullervo’s father.
Ukko
Ukko, the supreme god.
Marjatta
Marjatta, a holy woman and virgin who gives birth to a son in a stable.
The king of Carelia
The king of Carelia, Marjatta’s wise son.
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