The Horse and His Boy Character Analysis

Shasta/Cor

Shasta is a poor boy who has been raised by the fisherman Arsheesh. However, unbeknownst to him and Arsheesh, he’s actually King Lune of Archenland’s son. Unlike the other residents of Calormen, Shasta has… read analysis of Shasta/Cor

Horse/Bree

Bree is a Talking Horse who manages to escape his master (the Tarkaan) and set off on an adventure with Shasta. His name is too long for Shasta to pronounce, so Shasta shortens… read analysis of Horse/Bree

Aravis

Aravis is a Tarkheena (a female Calormene noble) who rides the Talking Horse Hwin. She flees her home when she learns she’ll be forced to marry Ahoshta, a much older man who has… read analysis of Aravis

Prince Rabadash

Prince Rabadash is the son of the Tisroc and the main villain of the story. He becomes obsessed with marrying Susan and is willing to kidnap her if he has to, leading 200 men across… read analysis of Prince Rabadash

Aslan

Aslan is a Talking Lion who is a figure similar to God or Jesus in Narnia. He can be invisible or take on different forms, as he does when helping Shasta on his journey by… read analysis of Aslan

The Tisroc

The Tisroc is the leader of Calormen and the father of Prince Rabadash. Although he is more reasonable than his son and doesn’t want to start a war with Narnia, his concerns are more… read analysis of The Tisroc

Corin

Corin is the son of King Lune and the identical twin brother of Shasta (who actually turns out to be named Cor). He is adventurous and eager to join in battle, despite the objections of… read analysis of Corin

Minor Characters

Ahoshta

Ahoshta is an evil older man who becomes Grand Vizier of Calormen and who is at one point engaged to marry the much-younger Aravis. He achieves his high position through corrupt means, illustrating how corrupt society in Calormen is compared to the fair and free Narnia.

Hwin

Hwin is the Talking Horse that Aravis rides. Although Hwin is initially in awe of Bree, who seems to be a great warhorse, it soon becomes clear that the humbler Hwin actually shows more bravery in difficult times (such as when a lion attacks).

Arsheesh

Arsheesh is a poor fisherman from Calormen who becomes Shasta’s father after discovering him in a boat as a baby. He is not very affectionate and considers selling Shasta into slavery when the Tarkaan makes an offer.

The Tarkaan/Anradin

A Tarkaan is a type of noble in the country of Calormen. When a Tarkaan named Anradin comes to Shasta’s town and tries to buy him as a slave, Shasta sets off on an adventure to the north with the Tarkaan’s Talking Horse, Bree.

King Lune

King Lune is the leader of Archenland and the father of Cor (who grew up as Shasta) and Corin. King Lune is a fair and just leader, but he also doesn’t hold back on teaching Cor the responsibilities that come with being a prince.

Susan

Susan is a Narnian queen and the sister of Peter, Edmund, and Lucy. She is very beautiful, and Prince Rabadash becomes obsessed with marrying her. Like her siblings, she plays a larger role in the other Narnia books, particularly The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Edmund

Edmund is a Narnian king and the brother of Peter, Susan, and Lucy. He and Susan get stuck in the hostile city of Tashbaan and have to plan an escape by boat.

Lucy

Lucy is a Narnian queen and the sister of Peter, Susan, and Edmund. She is the leader of the Narnian army’s archers and is merciful, even toward enemies like Prince Rabadash.

Peter

Peter is a Narnian king and the brother of Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. He is the eldest.

Lasaraleen

Lasaraleen is a friend of Aravis. She is vain, preferring to talk about herself instead of listen, and she doesn’t spend much time trying to understand Aravis’s feelings.

Hermit

The Hermit shows hospitality to Shasta, Bree, Aravis, and Hwin. He observes the final battle from afar and describes what he sees to Aravis and Hwin.

Mr. Tumnus

Mr. Tumnus is a Faun (goat-man) whom Shasta meets in Tashbaan and who plays a larger role in other Narnia books like The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Sallowpad

Sallowpad is a raven who advises Edmund and Susan.

Duffle

Duffle is a Dwarf who invites Shasta into his home.

Tash

Tash is an important god in Calormen.