Tristan
He is one of the central characters in the story. His parents are Blanchefleur and Rivalen, however right after his birth his mother dies and he is cared by Rohalt, Rivalen’s servant. The boy from young age learns how to fight, how to use a sword, to keep his word and hate any lies. He grows very kind, loyal and smart man. Then he goes to King Mark’s castle as a servant and soldier. Tristan is very helpful and thankful to King so does everything he ask. One of such tasks is to fight the dragon and conquer the Queen Iseult for King Mark, so he can marry her. Tristan done this task as all others, but he couldn’t even imagine how it will change his life and his relationship with King. He falls in love with Iseult and they both suffer from this love, because it was forbidden but so passionate and sincere. In the end of the story Tristan dies and we can say that love really killed him.
Iseult
She is also the main character in the story. Iseult the Fair or Iseult with the Hair of Gold is the queen of Ireland. From the events of the story, we can say that she is kind and fair as she saved Tristan’s life twice, despite the fact that he wanted to kill her father and conquer her lands. She was obedient and married King Mark nevertheless she didn’t love him. Her heart was regarded to Tristan and was filled with love to him. She tried to hide it from the husband but true love couldn’t be hidden. In the end of the story, she died in Tristan’s hands and soon plants grew from their bodies with interlaced branches as a symbol of their eternal love.
King Mark
He is the third of the central characters in the story. Mark is king of Cornwall and uncle of Tristan. He loved Tristan very much, he always listened to him in difficult situations and respect his advice. Also he was a good and smart king, he knew how to make a beneficial policy and to protect his people. When he found out that Tristan was in love with Iseult he didn’t believe in it at first because of his huge love and trust to him. But his attitude changed with time and Mark was disappointed with Tristan and wanted to kill him. As a conclusion we may say that he was just unhappy in love but still kind and fair.
Brangien
This is a person, whom Iseult’s mother asked to help her and to give poisoned wine to Iseult and Mark for them to drink it together and fall in love with each other forever. He promised to make everything in the way she said, but he wasn’t really careful and wine was drunk by Iseult and Tristan. This situation began all troubled in characters’ life.
Iseult of the White Hands
She is a daughter of Duke Hod, the King of Breton lands. When Tristan came to his lands he started help him, being his knight. After one of the fights Duke make a decision to Marry Tristan with Iseult. Tristan agrees and they become wife and husband. We can’t say that Iseult loved him but she liked him. She was very beautiful with such pure, clear beauty. But unfortunately their marriage was not successful and long because Tristan couldn’t forget Iseult.
