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The Story of the Other Wise Man
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"The Story of the Other Wise Man" Characters Analysis

A fourth wise man misses the birth of Jesus but spends his life seeking him through acts of kindness and sacrifice.

Estimated read time: 7 min read

List of Characters

Character NameRole
ArtabanProtagonist
The Other Wise ManSupporting Character
The Three Wise MenSupporting Characters
King HerodAntagonist
JosephMinor Character
MaryMinor Character
JesusMinor Character

Role Identification

Artaban

Artaban is the protagonist of the story. He is a wise man who embarks on a journey to find the newborn King of the Jews.

The Other Wise Man

The Other Wise Man is a supporting character who joins Artaban on his journey. He shares Artaban's goal of finding the newborn King.

The Three Wise Men

The Three Wise Men are supporting characters who initially set out on the same journey as Artaban and The Other Wise Man. However, they lose Artaban along the way and continue on their own.

King Herod

King Herod is the antagonist of the story. He is threatened by the news of a newborn King and seeks to eliminate any potential rivals to his throne.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus are minor characters who play a significant role in the story. They represent the reason behind Artaban's journey and his desire to find the King of the Jews.

Character Descriptions

Artaban

Artaban is described as an old man, wise and learned in astronomy. He is known for his wealth and possessions, but he is also compassionate and selfless. He is willing to give up everything to find the newborn King.

The Other Wise Man

The Other Wise Man is an elderly, kind-hearted man who believes in the prophecy of the birth of a great King. He is a loyal friend to Artaban and shares his desire to find the newborn King.

The Three Wise Men

The Three Wise Men are portrayed as learned and noble individuals. They are knowledgeable in astrology and are driven by their curiosity to find the newborn King.

King Herod

King Herod is depicted as a powerful and ruthless ruler. He is paranoid about losing his throne and sees the news of a newborn King as a threat to his power. He orders the execution of all male infants in Bethlehem.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus

Joseph is portrayed as a humble and caring husband, while Mary is depicted as a devoted and courageous mother. Jesus, though a minor character in the story, represents hope and salvation.

Character Traits

Artaban

Artaban is wise, compassionate, selfless, determined, and dedicated. He is willing to sacrifice his wealth and possessions to find and help the newborn King.

The Other Wise Man

The Other Wise Man is kind-hearted, loyal, patient, and empathetic. He supports Artaban throughout their journey and shares his desire to find the King.

The Three Wise Men

The Three Wise Men are curious, knowledgeable, and adventurous. They are driven by their desire to witness the birth of a great King.

King Herod

King Herod is power-hungry, paranoid, ruthless, and insecure. He is willing to go to extreme lengths to maintain his position as the ruler.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus

Joseph is humble, caring, and protective. Mary is devoted, courageous, and faithful. Jesus represents purity, innocence, and hope.

Character Background

Artaban

Artaban is a wise man from the East who has studied the stars and prophecies. He is known for his wealth and possessions but seeks a higher purpose in life.

The Other Wise Man

The Other Wise Man is a friend and fellow wise man who joins Artaban on his journey. He shares Artaban's belief in the prophecy and hopes to find the newborn King.

The Three Wise Men

The Three Wise Men are scholars and astrologers who have studied the stars and prophecies. They join Artaban and The Other Wise Man on their journey but lose Artaban along the way.

King Herod

King Herod is the ruler of Judea, known for his paranoia and cruelty. He hears of the prophecy of a newborn King and sees it as a threat to his power.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus

Joseph and Mary are a humble couple who become the parents of Jesus. They are chosen by God to fulfill the prophecy of the Messiah. Jesus is born in Bethlehem and becomes the central figure of the story.

Character Arcs

Artaban

Artaban's character arc revolves around his personal journey of self-discovery and redemption. Initially focused on finding the newborn King with his three companions, Artaban experiences various obstacles and sacrifices along the way. He helps others in need and becomes a healer, but he misses the opportunity to meet Jesus.

Despite his setbacks, Artaban's journey ultimately leads him to a deep spiritual realization. He learns that his lifelong search for the King of the Jews was, in fact, a search for love and compassion. In the end, Artaban's selfless actions and unwavering faith bring him peace and fulfillment.

The Other Wise Man

The Other Wise Man's character arc follows a similar path as Artaban's. He shares Artaban's desire to find the newborn King and accompanies him on the journey.

However, The Other Wise Man is separated from Artaban and faces his own challenges. He too helps others along the way and sacrifices his gifts for the sake of those in need. Like Artaban, he misses the opportunity to meet Jesus in person but finds solace in his acts of kindness.

The Three Wise Men

The Three Wise Men's character arcs are less prominent in the story. They represent the initial curiosity and desire to witness the birth of a great King. However, they lose Artaban along the way and continue their journey without him.

Relationships

Artaban forms various relationships throughout his journey, each of which contributes to his character development.

Artaban and The Other Wise Man

Artaban and The Other Wise Man share a deep friendship and a common goal. They support and encourage each other on their journey to find the newborn King.

Artaban and The Three Wise Men

Artaban initially sets out on the journey with The Three Wise Men. However, they lose him along the way, and their paths diverge. Their relationship represents the companionship and shared curiosity of the wise men.

Artaban and King Herod

Artaban's relationship with King Herod is one of opposition. While King Herod seeks to eliminate any potential rivals to his throne, Artaban's search for the newborn King poses a threat to King Herod's power.

Artaban and Joseph, Mary, and Jesus

Although Artaban does not directly interact with Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, they represent the purpose and motivation behind his journey. His desire to find and help the newborn King drives his actions and decisions.