An Imaginary Life Character Analysis

Ovid

Ovid is a Roman poet whom Emperor Augustus exiles to Tomis for his indecent writing and rejection of national virtues. Ovid initially hates Tomis for its barren landscapes and isolation. He longs for the sophistication… read analysis of Ovid

The Child

The Child is a feral boy who grows up in the wilderness amongst the deer. The narrative reveals nothing about the Child’s history or his true nature, though the story hints that he is not… read analysis of The Child

Ryzak / The Headman / The Old Man

Ryzak is the leader of Tomis who shares his dwelling with Ovid. The stern and powerful Ryzak makes Ovid feel weak by comparison. Although Ovid initially thinks that Ryzak will eventually execute him, since… read analysis of Ryzak / The Headman / The Old Man

Ryzak’s Mother / The Old Woman

The old woman is Ryzak’s mother, and she lives in Ryzak’s hut along with the young woman (Ryzak’s daughter), Lullo (Ryzak’s grandson), Ovid, and eventually the Child. Although the old woman doesn’t… read analysis of Ryzak’s Mother / The Old Woman

Ryzak’s Daughter-in-Law / The Young Woman

The young woman is Ryzak’s daughter-in-law, the former wife of his dead son. She is Lullo’s mother. Because she is a foreigner and not blood-related to anyone in Tomis, the young woman is… read analysis of Ryzak’s Daughter-in-Law / The Young Woman

Lullo / Ryzak’s Grandson

Lullo is Ryzak’s grandson and the young woman’s son. Although Ovid briefly teaches Lullo some Latin, when the Child joins the village, Ovid shifts his attention to the new boy. Lullo resents both… read analysis of Lullo / Ryzak’s Grandson

Minor Characters

The Village Shaman

The village shaman appears multiple times in the story to perform rituals, usually to appease the spirits in the forests or the river. The shaman represents Tomis’s mythical beliefs.

Ovid’s Brother

Ovid’s older brother is pious and dutiful. He should have inherited the family estate, but dies when he is 18, leaving Ovid as the new heir.

Ovid’s Father

Ovid’s father owns the provincial farm where Ovid and his brother grow up. When Ovid’s brother dies, his father washes that Ovid had died in his stead, and left his more dutiful brother to inherit the family estate.

Emperor Augustus

Emperor Augustus rules the Roman Empire and exiles Ovid to Tomis due to his inflammatory poetry.