The Tinderbox

Main Characters and Their Development

• Soldier: The main character of the tale, returning from war and meeting a witch. He is brave and determined, yet also cunning and resourceful. With the tinderbox, he gains wealth and power, eventually becoming a king.
• Witch: A mysterious old woman who asks the soldier to retrieve the tinderbox from the hollow tree. She promises him wealth, but the soldier kills her to keep the tinderbox.
• Princess: The king's daughter, whom the soldier falls in love with and, with the help of the tinderbox, abducts from the palace. She eventually becomes the soldier's wife and queen.
• King: The princess's father, who tries to protect his daughter from the soldier. In the end, he loses his power, and the soldier becomes the new king.
• Dogs: Three magical dogs that guard the treasures in the hollow tree. With the tinderbox, they become the soldier's loyal servants and assist him in his adventures.