Prince Rhun
Encyclopedia
Prince Rhun is a fictional character
in Lloyd Alexander
's Chronicles of Prydain
series. He is featured prominently in the latter half of the five-book series.
. By birthright, he is the heir apparent to the throne. He is first introduced in The Castle of Llyr
when the Princess Eilonwy
is sent by the enchanter Dallben
to live at the castle and gain a "proper" upbringing. He is described as having a round, pleasant face like his father and straw-colored hair like his mother.
Although well-meaning, Rhun is portrayed as a somewhat less intelligent character who has the knack of turning even the simplest situation into a problem, often to the chagrin of his companions. Taran
himself initially feels nothing but disdain and contempt for Rhun, relenting only when Rhun himself expresses his own frustration at realizing just how clumsy and useless he is, after which Taran begins to feel sorry for him. Often adding a comical element to the novels, the prince also becomes an integral part of the movement of the several quests and an essential part to the resolution of the series. Though frequently inept, the prince is nevertheless relentlessly cheerful, friendly, well-meaning, and has a good heart.
, Prince Rhun sets out on a journey with Taran
the Assistant Pig-Keeper, Fflewddur Fflam
the Bard, and the creature Gurgi
on a quest to protect the Princess Eilonwy from an unknown danger.
A significant facet of the story is Rhun's intended betrothal to Eilonwy, arranged by his parents. Neither Rhun nor Eilonwy are to be made aware of this plan, though Rhun later admits to Taran that he found out some time earlier. When King Rhuddlum asks Taran to watch over Rhun during the quest, the Assistant Pig-Keeper is torn between feelings of loyalty to his oath and feelings of jealousy towards the prince, since he is secretly in love with the princess himself. During their search for the princess, however, Rhun proves to be as courageous and self-sacrificing as the rest of the company. While he never sheds his clumsiness, he shows that he has the making of a hero and a good future king.
In The High King
(winner of the Newbery Medal
), Rhun is now the King of Mona, as his father has died in the unspecified length of time which has passed since the end of The Castle of Llyr. He plays an important part in the rescue of Gwydion
and his other companions from the grasp of Magg's
henchmen; however, he heroically loses his life doing so. Upon his grave, Taran swears to finish the last project Rhun had been working on for his people: completing the construction of a safe harbor on Mona.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in Lloyd Alexander
Lloyd Alexander
Lloyd Chudley Alexander was a widely influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books...
's Chronicles of Prydain
The Chronicles of Prydain
The Chronicles of Prydain is a five-volume series of children's fantasy novels by author Lloyd Alexander...
series. He is featured prominently in the latter half of the five-book series.
Profile
Prince Rhun is the only son of King Rhuddlum and Queen Teleria, who rule over the Isle of MonaIsle of Mona
The Isle of Mona is the original name of the Isle of Anglesey, and is also the name of a fictional island off the western coast of Prydain in Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain series...
. By birthright, he is the heir apparent to the throne. He is first introduced in The Castle of Llyr
The Castle of Llyr
The Castle of Llyr is the third volume in the children's fantasy series Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander, first published in 1966.Taran continues his adventures and encounters new friends and old enemies.- Plot :...
when the Princess Eilonwy
Princess Eilonwy
Princess Eilonwy is a fictional character in Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain and wife of High King Taran in the Chronicles of Prydain and also appears in Disney's 1985 animated film The Black Cauldron...
is sent by the enchanter Dallben
Dallben
Dallben is an important character in Lloyd Alexander's children's series The Chronicles of Prydain.-Profile:Dallben is described as an ancient man with a long white beard. He lives on the farm known as Caer Dallben, where he acts as protector of Coll's oracular pig, Hen Wen. He also is the...
to live at the castle and gain a "proper" upbringing. He is described as having a round, pleasant face like his father and straw-colored hair like his mother.
Although well-meaning, Rhun is portrayed as a somewhat less intelligent character who has the knack of turning even the simplest situation into a problem, often to the chagrin of his companions. Taran
Taran
- Given name :* Taran, a 7th century king of the Picts* Taran Taran, founder of the Taran Panth religious sect* Taran Adarsh, an Indian film critic* Taran Killam, an American comic actor* Taran Noah Smith, an actor...
himself initially feels nothing but disdain and contempt for Rhun, relenting only when Rhun himself expresses his own frustration at realizing just how clumsy and useless he is, after which Taran begins to feel sorry for him. Often adding a comical element to the novels, the prince also becomes an integral part of the movement of the several quests and an essential part to the resolution of the series. Though frequently inept, the prince is nevertheless relentlessly cheerful, friendly, well-meaning, and has a good heart.
Appearances
In The Castle of LlyrThe Castle of Llyr
The Castle of Llyr is the third volume in the children's fantasy series Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander, first published in 1966.Taran continues his adventures and encounters new friends and old enemies.- Plot :...
, Prince Rhun sets out on a journey with Taran
Taran
- Given name :* Taran, a 7th century king of the Picts* Taran Taran, founder of the Taran Panth religious sect* Taran Adarsh, an Indian film critic* Taran Killam, an American comic actor* Taran Noah Smith, an actor...
the Assistant Pig-Keeper, Fflewddur Fflam
Fflewddur Fflam
Fflewddur Fflam, son of Godo, is a cantrev lord in the fictional country of Prydain in Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain. He is referred to as a King, but it is made clear that he is a very minor king of a tiny kingdom at best, much less important than the High King who rules Prydain. His...
the Bard, and the creature Gurgi
Gurgi
Gurgi is a fictional character in The Chronicles of Prydain, the series of fantasy novels by Lloyd Alexander. Gurgi is the hero Taran's faithful companion, appearing in all five books.- Profile :...
on a quest to protect the Princess Eilonwy from an unknown danger.
A significant facet of the story is Rhun's intended betrothal to Eilonwy, arranged by his parents. Neither Rhun nor Eilonwy are to be made aware of this plan, though Rhun later admits to Taran that he found out some time earlier. When King Rhuddlum asks Taran to watch over Rhun during the quest, the Assistant Pig-Keeper is torn between feelings of loyalty to his oath and feelings of jealousy towards the prince, since he is secretly in love with the princess himself. During their search for the princess, however, Rhun proves to be as courageous and self-sacrificing as the rest of the company. While he never sheds his clumsiness, he shows that he has the making of a hero and a good future king.
In The High King
The High King
The High King is the last book in the Chronicles of Prydain fantasy series of books by Lloyd Alexander. It was awarded the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1969.-Plot overview:...
(winner of the Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal
The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
), Rhun is now the King of Mona, as his father has died in the unspecified length of time which has passed since the end of The Castle of Llyr. He plays an important part in the rescue of Gwydion
Gwydion
Gwydion fab Dôn is a magician, hero and trickster of Welsh mythology, appearing most prominently in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi, which focuses largely on his relationship with his young nephew, Lleu Llaw Gyffes...
and his other companions from the grasp of Magg's
Magg
Magg is a character in Lloyd Alexander's fantasy Chronicles of Prydain book series. He appears as the secondary villain in the third novel of the series, The Castle of Llyr. He also makes an appearance in the fifth and final novel, The High King.- Description :Through hard work, Magg has become...
henchmen; however, he heroically loses his life doing so. Upon his grave, Taran swears to finish the last project Rhun had been working on for his people: completing the construction of a safe harbor on Mona.
See also
- The Chronicles of PrydainThe Chronicles of PrydainThe Chronicles of Prydain is a five-volume series of children's fantasy novels by author Lloyd Alexander...
- Chronicles of Prydain characters
- Lloyd AlexanderLloyd AlexanderLloyd Chudley Alexander was a widely influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books...