The King Amuses Himself

Main Characters and Their Development

• Triboulet — the court jester, the main character of the play. He is clever, sarcastic, and cynical, yet deeply unhappy due to his appearance and position. His development in the play is tied to his internal struggle between hatred for those around him and love for his daughter.
• Blanche — Triboulet's daughter. She is innocent and pure, and her fate is tragically intertwined with the court's intrigues. Her development shows a transition from naivety to an awareness of the world's cruelty.
• King Francis I — the King of France, who leads a debauched lifestyle. He embodies power and depravity, and his actions and decisions significantly impact the fates of other characters.
• Saltabadil — the hired assassin whom Triboulet employs to kill the king. His character reveals themes of betrayal and moral flexibility.