Mr Puntila and His Man Matti

Main Characters and Their Development

• Puntila appears to the reader as a multifaceted and contradictory figure: generosity and despotism, kindness and capricious cruelty coexist within him. His character seems split: when drunk, he is good-natured, open, and eager to fraternize, but when sober, he becomes calculating and domineering, incapable of genuine closeness. This split is not only comic but also tragic, highlighting the fragility of human nature and the illusory quality of social masks. Matti, Puntila’s servant, embodies calm reason and inner strength. He is observant, ironic, and immune to the allure of his master’s promises, maintaining a clear perspective even in the most absurd situations. His development is shown in his ability to navigate his master’s whims without losing his own dignity and humanity. Their relationship reveals a subtle play of roles, where each character must balance between sincerity and social necessity, and their inner changes reflect the complex world of human passions and social contradictions.