The main characters in The Nonexistent Knight are Agilulf, Raimbaut, Bradamante, Torrismund, and Gurduloo.
- Agilulf is a knight who does not possess a physical body but exists as an empty suit of white armor. He fights for Charlemagne in the Crusades.
- Raimbaut is a young knight who seeks revenge against a Saracen named Isohar for the death of his father.
- Bradamante is a female knight with whom Raimbaut falls in love and who falls in love with Agilulf.
- Torrismund is a knight who denies that Agilulf saved a virgin from rape.
- Gurduloo is a peasant who becomes Agilulf’s squire.
Characters
Agilulf
Agilulf, the protagonist of the story, is a knight in Charlemagne’s army with a peculiar existence. He bears the full title of Sir Agilulf of Emo Bertrandin of the Guildivern and of the Others of Corbentraz and Sura, Knight of the Selimpia Citeriore and Fez. Despite his reputation as a model soldier, Agilulf does not physically exist. He is merely an empty suit of white armor with a thin black line along its seams, a shield carrying a recursive coat of arms, and a commanding voice. His lack of physicality is contrasted by his strict adherence to the chivalric code and military conduct, making him a figure both admired and disliked. Because he takes laws so literally and lacks any sense of irony, he becomes a source of irritation to the more lenient and morally flexible knights. Agilulf is also a complex character, being at once absurdly comic and tragic, as he is unable to partake in the physical joys of life, including the affection of Bradamante, who pursues him. Ultimately, when he questions the validity of his knightly title, he disappears, leaving behind only the inanimate armor.
Bradamante
Bradamante is a knight and an Amazon, clad in periwinkle armor, who serves as both a character and a narrator within the narrative. She is a beautiful young woman who, for the most part, conceals her gender by adopting male armor and demeanor, reflecting her aspiration to be a great warrior. Despite her feelings for Agilulf, she is pursued by Raimbaut, who falls deeply in love with her. Bradamante's dual nature complicates her desires; while she longs for knightly perfection represented by Agilulf, she cannot escape her own femininity. Her story is ultimately one of reconciliation with Raimbaut, though marred by the problematic circumstances of their union. The narrative reveals that Bradamante takes on the identity of Sister Theodora, the nun who narrates the tale as an exercise for her soul. This duality between Bradamante and Sister Theodora illustrates the novella's theme of characters with divided selves.
Raimbaut
Raimbaut is a young and handsome knight, filled with youthful zeal and driven by a sense of revenge against the Saracen, Isohar, who killed his father. Initially, his mission is one of vengeance, but his encounter with Bradamante shifts his focus to proving his worth to her. Throughout the narrative, Raimbaut grapples with the rigid and often absurd chivalric ideals he aspires to uphold. Despite his impetuous and foolhardy nature, he idolizes Agilulf for his honor and integrity. However, Raimbaut’s love story with Bradamante is clouded by a troubling act of deception, where he impersonates Agilulf to win her affection, a situation that the narrative does not fully address as rape. Raimbaut's character serves as an exploration of the challenges and disillusionment faced by those seeking to live up to romanticized knightly ideals.
Torrismund
Torrismund, another young knight, contrasts Raimbaut with his cynicism and skepticism. He disputes the authenticity of Agilulf’s past heroic deeds, particularly the rescue of a supposedly virgin maiden, Sophronie, claiming she was not a virgin since Sophronie is his mother. This assertion leads to his eventual discovery that Sophronie is actually his stepsister, leading to their marriage. Torrismund serves as both a foil to Raimbaut's idealism and as a character wrestling with his own divided identity, struggling with the mythical purity of the knights of the Holy Grail. He ultimately must confront and discard the fictions he clings to, just as the novella itself plays with themes of existence and belief.
Gurduloo
Gurduloo is Agilulf’s squire, appointed by Charlemagne, and presents a stark contrast to his master. While...
(This entire section contains 796 words.)
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Agilulf is form without substance, Gurduloo is an embodiment of physical presence without cognitive awareness. He is described as a simpleton who identifies with whatever he encounters, be it ducks, frogs, or pears, exhibiting a profound connection with his surroundings devoid of conscious thought. His attire of earthy tones and green patches symbolizes this closeness to nature. Gurduloo's interactions with Agilulf create a humorous but poignant juxtaposition of form against formlessness, intelligence against instinct, and existence perceived against existence unacknowledged.
Sister Theodora
Sister Theodora is introduced as the narrator of the story, gradually revealing her identity throughout the novel. Her role is to document the tale under the instruction of her abbess for the benefit of her soul. Her narration offers a reflective lens on the adventures and themes of love, duty, and identity. Ultimately, Theodora’s revelation of being Bradamante adds an additional layer to the narrative, emphasizing the story's exploration of character duality and self-discovery. Through Theodora's frequent interjections, the narrative becomes not only the story of Agilulf and his companions but also the story of its telling, creating a meta-narrative that challenges the reader's perception of reality and fiction.
