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The king

A king from long ago. The king is described as partially barbaric and partially civilized. He is good to his subjects, and he also likes to put things right when they have gone wrong. He believes his system of justice is a good one and enforces it in every situation he faces.

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The princess

The king’s daughter. The princess could be seen as the protagonist of the story, since she is the one who must decide if her lover lives or dies. The princess is semi-barbaric like her father. Though she is genuinely distraught at the prospect of her lover’s death, she is also fiercely jealous at the thought of losing her lover in marriage to another woman.

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The young man

The princess’s lover. The young man is described as beautiful and tall, but he is also of a low social standing. 

The lady

The king’s potential offering to the princess’s lover. The lady is described as one of the most beautiful women in the whole kingdom. It is made clear that the young man would be satisfied and even quite happy to marry her.

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