Characters

The most important characters in the short story “Hop-Frog” by Edgar Allan Poe are the king, Hop-Frog and Trippetta. Even though the ministers are also part of the action, they just mirror the king’s look and attitude. In the story, the author pays a lot of attention to the outer aspect of the characters, which also reflects some of their inner traits.

The King

The king represents the antagonist in the short story, his attitude being what triggers Hop-Frog’s revenge plan.

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Outer characterization

Physically, the king is depicted as a “large, corpulent, oily” man. Notice that the narrator does not affirm this directly of the king, but of the ministers who reflect the king’s looks and attitude:

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Inner characterization

When it comes to the king’s inner character, we can say that his main trait is the passion for practical jokes. The king enjoys making fun of others and being amused by others. As the narrator puts it, he lived “only for joking” (p. 1, l. 2).

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Hop-Frog

Hop-Frog is the nickname of the trickster hero of the short story.

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Outer characterization

Hop-Frog is an unusual character to be a hero if we take into account his physical traits.

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Inner characterization

Hop-Frog’s character is revealed both directly by the narrator and indirectly through his actions and reactions.

Initially, we find out that Hop-Frog does not have any influence at the court because his job is that of a fool.

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Trippetta

Trippetta is the other dwarf in the short story, also representative of the victim.

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Outer characterization

Even though she is also a dwarf, Trippetta is much more beautiful than Hop-Frog and better proportionate than him.

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Inner characterization

Trippetta’s character is revealed through her actions in her relationship with Hop-Frog. The woman clearly cares about her dwarf fellow as she tries to protect and help him whenever she can:

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