Johannes

Johannes, the miller's son, matures into a renowned poet. From a young age, his connection to nature is profound, surrounding himself with the companionship of birds, trees, and stones. His fertile imagination brings to life a world populated by dwarfs, giants, kings, and princesses. Sensitive and introspective, Johannes often seeks refuge in the natural world, a sanctuary from the class divide that separates him from Ditlef and Victoria, the children of the local manor. Even at fourteen, his heart is captivated by the ten-year-old Victoria, whose beauty and gestures enchant him, sparking his creative spirit and inspiring a series of successful love poems.

Despite his poetic success, Johannes remains beset by misunderstandings, doubts, and pride that obstruct his path to Victoria. His romantic idealism is unwavering, as he clings to the belief that true love transcends all barriers, a conviction that ultimately leads to his emotional distress. He idealizes Victoria as a muse he reveres yet cannot attain, evidenced in a surreal dream where he encounters a great barking fish at the sea's bottom, with Victoria laughing behind it amidst a storm. This dream symbolizes the unreachable nature of his affections, driving him to escape from reality and his own desires.

Johannes' journey is marked by a struggle against the societal constraints that keep him from Victoria, as he endeavors to become worthy of her love. Yet, the societal structures and his own pride continually thwart him. His internal conflict is emblematic of the broader themes of unfulfilled aspirations and the rigid societal conventions he faces.

Victoria

Victoria, the daughter of the castle's master, captivates Johannes from a young age with her charming presence. As she matures, her beauty deepens, and Johannes finds himself enthralled by her deep blue eyes and slender form. Despite harboring genuine affection for Johannes, Victoria conceals her feelings, placing her family's needs and her mother's well-being above her desires. Her pride and awareness of class distinctions, inherited from her father, create insurmountable barriers that prevent her from openly acknowledging her love.

The internal conflict within Victoria is stark, as demonstrated by her dismissal of Johannes' father in favor of Otto's breeding. Her engagement to Otto, a man she does not love, spirals into tragedy, culminating in her premature death following a tubercular attack. In her final letter to Johannes, Victoria's character is laid bare with heartbreaking honesty, revealing the depth of her love and her regret at being unable to express it openly due to societal constraints and her own nature.

Victoria's struggle is further complicated by the involuntary surrender of her love, which wounds her pride and challenges her sense of independence. Despite her feelings for Johannes, she resigns herself to a fate dictated by her social standing, illustrating both vulnerability and resilience as she navigates the expectations imposed upon her.

Camilla

Camilla, once a young child saved from drowning by Johannes, later becomes his fiancée. Unlike Victoria, Camilla is straightforward and childlike, marked by her cheerful and naïve disposition. Her simplicity offers no surprises for Johannes, which ultimately leads her to fall in love with Richmond, a friendly and uncomplicated man. Camilla's presence accentuates Johannes' ongoing struggles with his romantic ideals, as her uncomplicated nature starkly contrasts with the complex emotions he reserves for Victoria.

Otto

Otto, the son of a wealthy chamberlain, exhibits thoughtlessness and snobbishness from a young age. As a young lieutenant, his demeanor remains unchanged, characterized by jealousy and pride. Unable to win Victoria's love, his envy towards Johannes culminates in a violent encounter where he "accidentally" strikes Johannes in the eye shortly before his own tragic hunting...