Write on the character of Captain Bluntschli on the basis of your reading ‘Arms and the Man’

Character of Captain Bluntschli

 Captain Bluntschli is a unique character portrayed by Bernard Shaw in his romantic comedy ‘Arms and the Man’. Shaw presents Bluntschli as his mouthpiece to convey his philosophy about war and love.

 Bluntschli is a realist and has no romantic illusions about love and war. He is intelligent and witty. He can manage anything smoothly and is practical in his approach. His dazzling humour is one of the enjoyable aspects of the play. The first trait of Captain Bluntschli’s character is his realistic attitude.

Like other characters in the play, he has no romantic views about war and soldiering. He is a professional soldier serving in the army many years. He knows very well what war is. He expresses the hollowness of war and heroism to Raina. Bluntschli expresses that soldiers are like common people and all of them actually are afraid of death. He also surprises her disclosing the fact that food is more necessary in war than ammunition. He also stuffs his pocket with food instead of cartridges.

Bluntschli also shows this realistic approach in his love towards Raina. He has no romantic sentimentalism like Sergius. The ground of his love is reality. When he comes to know that Raina loves him and she is old enough, he straightly declares his love to her and proposes to her parents to marry her.

 To him, love and marriage are necessary for life and there is nothing romantic in them. It is his sincere love and realistic approach through which he wins Raina. Bluntschli is intelligent. His intelligence is seen in the very opening scene of the play. When he enters Raina’s bedroom, he quickly understands her mentality. Putting down the gun, he takes her gown and threatens her not to shout.

Again, he fools the Bulgarians, Sergius and Major Petkoff, and exchanges the captives giving them weak horses. Moreover, he helps Major Petkoff and Sergius in their military activities. Being surprised his intelligence, even his rival Sergius exclaimed in wonder: “What a man! Is he a man!”

 Wit and humour are the two characteristics which make Bluntschli’s character enjoyable. His wit is seen when he says: “nine soldiers out of ten are born fools” or “it is our duty to live as long as we can”.

 Again, his description about the cavalry charge of Sergius like Don Quixote produces hilarious laughter. He does not lose his sense of humour when he takes shelter in Raina’s bedroom. He makes fun of Raina’s family name “Petkoff”.

Thus, Shaw portrays Bluntschli as his mouthpiece, a man of intelligence and a man who devoid of any romantic illusions. Bluntschli’s attitude towards war and love is practical but he is not a boring character rather he is witty and humorous.

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 Written By                                                                                                         

S. MALLICK

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY – Text Book (FBC), A Study Guide (FBC) & Handnote Series (Lecture)