Phantastes · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Phantastes by George MacDonald.
Unknown Narrator
major
Also known as I, thou, thy, me, your, yourself, mine
The first-person narrator and focal character of the main story.
Cosmo von Wehrstahl
major
Also known as Poor Cosmo, Cosmo, himself
A student who becomes obsessed with a magical lady in a mirror.
The Lady
major
Also known as herself, thou, thee, thy, The lady, Thou
A mysterious woman from the mirror who enchants Cosmo.
The Knight
supporting
Also known as your, himself
A chivalrous figure encountered in the fairy world.
The Woman
supporting
Also known as herself, The woman, myself
A female presence in the narrative, often maternal or guiding.
Sir Aglovaile
supporting
Also known as Aglovaile
A knight appearing in the fairy-tale segments.
Sir Percivale
minor
Also known as himself
A knight of Arthurian legend referenced in the story.
Steinwald
minor
Also known as Von Steinwald
A character associated with Cosmo's academic circle.
The Ash
minor
Also known as Ash, the horrible Ash, The Ash
A sentient tree or spirit in the fairy landscape.
Pocket
minor
A small creature or fairy encountered by the narrator.
Ceres
minor
The Roman goddess of agriculture, referenced in the narrative.
Pussy
minor
Also known as your
A cat or cat-like figure in the story.
V
minor
A mysterious figure or initialed character.
Little Primrose
minor
Also known as Primrose, poor Primrose
A childlike fairy or flower-spirit.
The Speaker
minor
A rhetorical or narrative voice within the text.
Some Hero
minor
Also known as wandering in search of adventure, himself
A generic adventurous figure in the fairy world.
Betsy
minor
Also known as Lisa
A servant or minor female character.
Sister Snowdrop
minor
Also known as Snowdrop
A fairy or personified flower.
Princess von Hohenweiss
minor
A noblewoman in the fairy-tale subplot.
Pygmalion
minor
The mythological sculptor, referenced in the narrative.
Heinrich von Ofterdingen
minor
A medieval poet mentioned in the story.
Sir Galahad
minor
The pure knight of Arthurian legend.
Apostle John
minor
Also known as John
The biblical apostle, referenced in the text.
Anodos
major
Also known as Sir Anodos
The protagonist of the framing narrative.
Sir Launfal
minor
A knight from Arthurian romance.
Sir Percival
minor
Another spelling of the Arthurian knight.
