Character Analysis of Mandras in Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres

Character Analysis of Mandras in Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres

The presentation of Mandras in the novel is one which is subject to

change and alteration. The implications of his change in character

relate to the wider issue of war and its effects on both individuals

and society. Mandras is used as an example of the negative and grave

psychological scars war can inflict.

When Mandras first appears in the novel, he is presented as a

potential love interest for Pelagia. However, there is an uneasy sense

of foreboding as to what is to come for their relationship. The fact

that their love for each other develops so early on in the book, and

the idealistic nature of this love leaves the reader with the

impression that it is not to last. In the very chapter they meet the

chapter ends with the ominous presence of war looming, which reaffirms

the reader's belief that their relationship will be brief.

Mandra's first act in the story is being shot by Velisarios with

rather comical consequences thus establishing Mandras as a comical

character. He later thanked Velisarios for shooting him as it had a

positive impact on his life; meeting Pelagia. "What he thanked him for

was that he first set eyes on Pelagia". This shows the instantaneous

nature of his love for Pelagia. Some readers have suggested that the

fact their love was based only on mutual aesthetic attraction to each

other was the very reason it al fell apart at the end. It was lust

rather than love and some may perceive Mandras as an idealistic fool

for thinking otherwise. We first see the differences in expectations

the two feel for each other in chapter 11, where t...

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... "Unfortunately my dream of Pelagia was better then Pelagia

herself". However he desperately tries to grasp his dream of Pelaiga

by doing "things so great that even a queen would beg to be my bride".

He still desires glory and Pelagia's love and refuses to accept his

futile attempt to gain her acceptance by going to war. He has

obviously not learnt his lesson. As his anger festered his silent

resentment for Pelagia began to grow especially upon hearing of her

relationship with Corelli. He experienced a psychological breakdown as

he desperately tried to make Pelagia love him by attempting to rape

her. His subsequent realisation of what he had tried to do caused him

to despise himself. All of his hopes and dreams had been shattered. He

was man with no future or destiny and he believed death was the only

fate he deserved.