Characters

The fairy-tale “Petronella” by Jay Williams includes various characters: the king and queen, Michael, George, Petronella, the old man, the prince, and Albion. The most important characters in the story are Petronella, Prince Ferdinand of Firebright, and Albion, whose characterisation we will address next.

Petronella’s character challenges the stereotypes of traditional fairy-tale princesses. Her attitude in the end of the story suggests that she has changed her assumptions regarding the prince and the enchanter, realising that they are not simply stereotypical characters (just as she is not a stereotypical princess) and that she doesn’t have to conform to society’s expectations by marrying a prince.

Ferdinand is also a very atypical fairy-tale prince. He is neither trapped, nor brave, but a lazy man who only cares about enjoying himself.

Furthermore, Albion, the enchanter, is an atypical fairy-tale villain. Albion turns out to be a positive character. He is actually in love with Petronella and simply too polite to ask the prince to leave.

Read their full characterisation in the next pages!