Invitation to a Beheading

Main Characters and Their Development

• Cincinnatus C. - the protagonist, sentenced to death for 'gnostical turpitude'. He tries to understand the absurdity of his situation and find meaning in his existence. In the process, he realizes his uniqueness and inner freedom despite external constraints.
• Martyn - Cincinnatus's jailer, who shows him friendliness and sympathy. However, his behavior often seems ambiguous and unpredictable, highlighting the absurdity of the surrounding world.
• Rodion - the prison warden, representing the bureaucratic machine. He is cruel and indifferent to Cincinnatus's fate, emphasizing the soullessness of the system.
• Emmie - Cincinnatus's wife, who turns out to be a traitor. Her character symbolizes the deceit and betrayal the protagonist faces.
• Monsieur Pierre - the executioner who becomes Cincinnatus's friend. His behavior and attitude towards the execution are also absurd and unpredictable, enhancing the sense of unreality.