Memorable Male Royals in Literature
In the light of the birth of the latest royal baby, here is a list of some of the best and most memorable fictional royal characters that have graced the pages of some of the most popular works of fiction. Whether you loved them or hated them, whether they stood for good or bad, these royals take the crown.
Don’t forget to leave a comment with some of your own favourites.
Aragorn
Lord of the Rings, J. R. R. Tolkien
Aragorn is the heir to the throne of Gondor, yet at the start of the trilogy he hides this identity. Throughout the books Aragorn transforms from a ranger to a king, and as readers we are able to witness him learning all the qualities that will make him a great king. There is something particularly endearing about being able to witness this transformation because we are reminded that despite his position of power he is still just human and, therefore, susceptible to fear and self-doubt.
Through his support of the fellowship and his love of Arwen, Aragorn gains confidence and self-awareness, which allows him to grow into his position as king—a position of which he proves himself worthy.
“If by my life or death I can protect you, I will” (Fellowship of the Ring). A king should be just as loyal to others as he expects them to be to him.
Hamlet
Hamlet, William Shakespeare
Prince Hamlet, son of King Hamlet, poses as a bit of a contradiction. On the one hand, as a student, he is incredibly clever, well-educated, and philosophical, while on the other he behaves with very little thought; his actions are often rash and impulsive. Throughout the play Hamlet begins to play the role of the madman, consumed with melancholy thoughts and his distrust of women—not to mention his obsessive need to prove that his uncle killed his father.
Hamlet struggles to deal with how to avenge the murder of his father, if at all, and this indecisiveness alongside his fragile mental health and impulsive behaviour leads to tragedy. In the 1948 movie with Laurence Olivier a voiceover describes: “this is the tragedy of a man who could not make up his mind.” Hamlet is charged with duty but acts with reluctance—maybe even fear. He is almost definitely hindered by his mental health, which leads to devastating consequences.
Hamlet is a beautifully tortured character and is probably one of the most fascinating in literature as you never really fully know or understand him. Shakespeare writes some amazing soliloquies and dialogues for Hamlet that create the depth of this character.
King Hamlet (the ghost)
Hamlet, William Shakespeare
Whether the ghost really is the spirit of King Hamlet is a widely debated topic, but whether he is or not, this character played an integral role in the play. The ghost’s appearance acts as the catalyst that sets Hamlet’s revenge into motion. Hamlet (the prince) believes that the ghost is his father who wants his son to avenge his death.
King Hamlet fights the “sulph’rous and tormenting flames” to seek his revenge and he isn’t afraid to get his son to do his dirty work. I’m not so sure that it will see him win father of the year anytime soon, but it sure as hell makes him one determined guy.
Whether the ghost is really king Hamlet or not, whether he is real or not, Hamlet believes that the ghost is his father, the king, and that is all the conformation I need to put him on this list.
What really cements the place of King Hamlet (the ghost) in my list though are the stories that have been shared since Shakespeare’s death that suggest that Shakespeare himself once played the ghost, and while there is little evidence to support this claim, the possibility makes King Hamlet a pretty memorable fictional king.
King Lear
King Lear, William Shakespeare
It is no coincidence that three of Shakespeare’s characters have made this list—the man created memorable character who have stood the test of time. King Lear is no exception. He is a king who is ruled by his own gluttony and vanity; a man to whom appearance has higher value than reality; a man who wants the riches without putting in the work. King Lear is the mastermind of his own downfall through his rash, impetuous behaviour and blindness to anything but his own passions.
It is easy to think of King Lear only in term of his blindness (both literally and figuratively), but what makes him such a great character—and probably a bad king—is the complexity of the man. Lear is led by his passion; he is both cruel and kind, unlikable and sympathetic. It is easy to dislike King Lear, but it is hard not to pity him. Despite his actions throughout the play, it is what lies behind the actions that make him a great character. As William Hazlitt says in Characters of Shakespeare’s Plays, “it is his mind which is laid bare.”
Legolas
Lord of the Rings, J. R. R. Tolkien
Son of the Elf-king Thranduil, Legolas possesses keen eyesight, sensitive hearing, and excellent bowmanship—not to mention he’s older than any of us even know. Let’s face it: he’s pretty badass. His time with the fellowship shows his skill, bravery, and loyalty, and the friendship that he forms with Gimli shows a great quality of a leader: the ability to be uninfluenced by the feuds of the past. While Legolas has a tendency to patronise others because of his undisclosed, advanced age, the wisdom he would have gained in those years can only make him a better leader, after all, knowledge is power.
“Oft hope is born when all is forlorn” (Return of the King).
Don't forget to check out the companion piece to this article: Most Memorable Female Royals in Literature.
