"The Untouchable" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Name	Role
Victor Maskell	Protagonist
James Pryce	Friend and former lover
Charles Merriot	Close friend and fellow spy
Simon Utley	MI6 colleague
Julian	Victor's lover
Lucy	Victor's wife
Guy Burgess	Soviet spy and friend
Kim Philby	Soviet spy and friend
Antony Blunt	Soviet spy and friend
Wanda	Victor's sister

Role Identification

"The Untouchable" is a novel written by John Banville and published in 1997. The story revolves around Victor Maskell, a fictional character based on the real-life British art historian and double agent Anthony Blunt. Victor Maskell serves as the protagonist and narrator of the story, providing the reader insights into his complex life as a spy.

Character Descriptions

1. Victor Maskell: Victor is a middle-aged art historian and spy. He is described as a charming and intelligent man. He has a slim build, graying hair, and sharp features. Victor uses his intellect to navigate both the high-class art world and the secretive world of espionage.
2. James Pryce: James is a former lover and close friend of Victor. He is a painter and shares Victor's interest in art. James is described as tall with long hair and an intense gaze. He becomes a source of both support and conflict for Victor throughout the story.
3. Charles Merriot: Charles is one of Victor's closest friends and fellow spy. He is a witty and charismatic character who often provides comic relief. Charles is described as tall with a thin frame and an impeccably tailored appearance.
4. Simon Utley: Simon is a colleague of Victor at MI6. He is a dependable and serious character who excels in his work. Simon is described as having a no-nonsense demeanor and a square-jawed face.
5. Julian: Julian is one of Victor's lovers. He is a young and vibrant character who contrasts with Victor's older age. Julian is described as being full of life, with a slim, athletic build and tousled brown hair.
6. Lucy: Lucy is Victor's wife. She is a kind and understanding woman who supports Victor in his endeavors. Lucy is portrayed as having a gentle demeanor and an elegant appearance.
7. Guy Burgess: Guy is a British diplomat and a friend of Victor. He is a charming and eccentric character with a rebellious streak. Guy is described as tall with a disheveled appearance and a mischievous smile.
8. Kim Philby: Kim is another British diplomat and a friend of Victor. He is a smooth-talking and sophisticated character who hides his true allegiance. Kim is portrayed as having a refined appearance and impeccable manners.
9. Antony Blunt: Antony is a British art historian and a friend of Victor. He is a secretive and enigmatic character who hides his true identity as a Soviet spy. Antony is described as having a calm and composed demeanor.
10. Wanda: Wanda is Victor's sister. She is a fiercely independent woman who supports Victor in his pursuit of art and espionage. Wanda is portrayed as having a strong-willed personality and a striking resemblance to Victor.

Character Traits

1. Victor Maskell: Intelligent, charismatic, secretive, conflicted, introspective.
2. James Pryce: Artistic, passionate, tempestuous, supportive, enigmatic.
3. Charles Merriot: Witty, sophisticated, loyal, observant, lighthearted.
4. Simon Utley: Dependable, serious, meticulous, unyielding, dependable.
5. Julian: Vibrant, energetic, free-spirited, youthful, passionate.
6. Lucy: Kind, understanding, elegant, supportive, patient.
7. Guy Burgess: Charming, eccentric, rebellious, manipulative, charismatic.
8. Kim Philby: Smooth-talking, sophisticated, secretive, double-crossing, elegant.
9. Antony Blunt: Enigmatic, calm, composed, secretive, knowledgeable.
10. Wanda: Independent, strong-willed, supportive, pragmatic, determined.

Character Background

1. Victor Maskell: Victor comes from a privileged background and was mentored by Anthony Blunt in the field of art history. He later becomes involved in espionage, working as a double agent for the Soviet Union. Victor's involvement in both the art world and the world of spies exposes him to a dual life filled with secrets and conflicting loyalties.
2. James Pryce: James is an artist who crosses paths with Victor during their time at Cambridge. He becomes involved with Victor romantically and shares his interest in art. James struggles to find his own identity while being caught up in Victor's espionage activities.
3. Charles Merriot: Charles is a childhood friend of Victor and also becomes embroiled in the world of espionage. He brings humor and loyalty to Victor's life but also faces personal challenges as he navigates his own allegiances.
4. Simon Utley: Simon serves as a reliable colleague and friend to Victor at MI6. He values their shared dedication to their work and helps Victor navigate the intricacies of the intelligence agency.
5. Julian: Julian becomes an important figure in Victor's life as one of his lovers. He brings vitality and passion to Victor's world, but their relationship is not without its complications.
6. Lucy: Lucy is the steady presence in Victor's life as his wife. She supports him through his struggles, understanding the dual nature of his existence and the sacrifices he must make.
7. Guy Burgess: Guy is a friend and confidant of Victor, but also a Soviet spy. His unorthodox behavior and rebellious nature challenge Victor's own understanding of loyalty and patriotism.
8. Kim Philby: Kim is another British diplomat and Soviet spy who forms close ties with Victor. His charm and sophistication mask his true intentions, creating an air of mystery around his character.
9. Antony Blunt: A prominent art historian, Antony Blunt is a mentor to Victor and a secret Soviet spy himself. His clandestine activities tie Victor to a larger network of spies and blur the line between art and espionage.
10. Wanda: Wanda, Victor's sister, supports him throughout his experiences as a double agent. She shares his love for art and understands the complex nature of his life.

Character Arcs

1. Victor Maskell: Victor's character undergoes a significant transformation throughout the story. Initially committed to his role as a double agent, he begins to question his loyalties and wrestles with guilt and conflicted emotions. The revelation of his friends' true allegiances forces him to reevaluate his own choices and the impact they have had on his life.
2. James Pryce: James evolves from being solely focused on his artistic pursuits to becoming entangled in the dangerous world of espionage. His relationship with Victor becomes strained as their lives and loyalties become increasingly complex.
3. Charles Merriot: Charles' character arc focuses on the challenges and comedic moments he encounters as a spy. He remains loyal to Victor but struggles with his own allegiances and moral dilemmas as the story unfolds.
4. Simon Utley: Simon's character arc is more understated, but he remains a steadfast companion to Victor throughout the story. His dedication to his work in espionage and his friendship with Victor are tested, but he remains a reliable presence in Victor's life.
5. Julian: Julian's influence on Victor is profound as he brings passion and vitality into his life. However, their relationship is short-lived, and its impact on Victor's character remains a vital part of his journey.

Relationships

1. Victor and James: Victor and James share a complicated relationship, intertwining love and friendship with the lure of espionage. Their interactions are marked by intense emotions and struggles with loyalty.
2. Victor and Charles: Victor and Charles are close friends who navigate the world of espionage together. Their banter and camaraderie provide moments of levity amidst the secrecy and danger they face.
3. Victor and Simon: Victor and Simon share a professional relationship within the intelligence agency. Simon provides guidance and support to Victor, and they develop a deep mutual respect.
4. Victor and Julian: Victor's relationship with Julian is passionate but short-lived. Julian represents a brighter and younger version of himself, offering an escape from the complexities of his double life.
5. Victor and Guy Burgess: Victor and Guy share a friendship built on shared secrets. Guy's unpredictable behavior challenges Victor's loyalty and forces him to question his own beliefs.
6. Victor and Kim Philby: Victor's relationship with Kim is founded on their shared double lives. Kim's sophistication and cunning mirror Victor's own experiences, creating a bond based on mutual understanding.
7. Victor and Antony Blunt: Victor's mentorship under Antony Blunt establishes a relationship of trust and secrecy. Through his interactions with Antony, Victor begins to question his own allegiances and the true nature of his role as a double agent.
8. Victor and Wanda: Wanda is Victor's steadfast sister who supports him throughout his challenges. Their shared love for art strengthens their bond as they navigate the complexities of their intertwined lives.

In "The Untouchable," John Banville weaves a rich tapestry of characters, each with their own distinct personalities, motivations, and relationships. Through these characters, the novel explores themes of loyalty, deception, and the complex intersection of art and espionage. Victor Maskell, as the central character, undergoes a transformative journey that reveals the intricacies of his double life and challenges his very sense of self. The relationships he forms with James, Charles, Simon, Julian, Lucy, Guy, Kim, Antony, and Wanda further deepen the narrative, highlighting the complexities of trust, loyalty, and the often blurred lines between personal and professional identities.