The Characters and Realism of the Catalan Chivalric Romance

Key Figures and Conflicts in the Romance

The Grand Turk, enemy of Tirant (Pulling), attacks the Greek Empire and lays siege to Constantinople.

Character Descriptions

• Count Varoic, The Hermitage Knight

  Known by his English name, he deceives his 55-year-old wife and servants into believing he died, when in fact he withdrew to a contemplative life. He teaches Tirant (Pulling) about the order of knighthood.

• Leader of the High Dignitary of Trema

  He leads the *cabdillos* (chieftains) who rescue the imprisoned after Tirant (Pulling) causes the wreckage. Later, he asks for help, even though they remain faithful to Islam.

• Princess Maragdina (Tremissen)

  A Christian princess who loves Tirant and ends up marrying her kidnapper.

• Escariano, Great King of Ethiopia

  He kills the evil and powerful King of Tremecen and abducts his daughter.

• King of Sicily

  Father of Ricomana. He honors Tirant and his colleagues and helps them liberate the besieged Rhodes.

• Duke of Macedonia, Captain

  He serves as Captain until the arrival of Tirant's imperial army. He hates and defames Tirant with an envious attitude.

• Estefania

  Daughter of the Duke of Macedonia and a close friend of Carmesina. She and Diafebus have a romance.

• Diafebus

  Tirant's companion (roommate) in all military campaigns. Tirant is the confidant regarding his (Diafebus's) love for Carmesina.

• Bella Ricomana

  A Sicilian princess who wants to test her suitor, Philip, despite his pretense.

• Agramunt

  A valiant knight and Tirant's cousin. He is appointed King of Fes and marries Plaerdemavida unexpectedly.

• Plaerdemavida

  Carmesina's maiden, who acts as an intermediary in the love between Carmesina and Tirant (Pulling). She eventually marries Sir Agramunt, although she had previously flirted with other knights.

• Hipòlit

  Tirant's witty and handsome squire. He becomes the object of the Empress's fiery passions and ends up marrying the Empress after the Emperor's death.

• Bella Carmesina

  The princess protagonist, who, along with Tirant (Pulling), engages in puns, secret dating, deception, and erotic scenes that culminate in a secret marriage.

Literary Comparison: Chivalric Novel Types

Traditional Cavalry Action Novels

These novels feature action set in distant and exotic landscapes. The plots are often unlikely, recreating a remote past time. They typically include:

• The appearance of dragons, dwarfs, and giants in an atmosphere of mystery.
• Protagonists possessing exaggerated and superhuman strength.

Realistic Chivalric Novels (e.g., Tirant lo Blanch)

The action takes place on known and identified lands, achieving a semblance of plausibility. These novels:

• Reflect the atmosphere of the time when they were written.
• Do not feature wonderful elements like dragons or giants.
• The strength and courage of the characters fall into the category of what is human.