The Mysterious Tale of the Erlking

Who are the four characters in the elf king?

The four characters in the elf king are the narrator, the father, the son, and the Erlking.

The Erlking, also known as the Elf King, is a mysterious supernatural being in Goethe's poem. The story revolves around a boy riding home with his father when he encounters the Erlking, who tries to lure him. The father cannot see or hear the Erlking, leading to a chilling and suspenseful encounter as the boy struggles against the unseen force.

Goethe's poem depicts the tension between reality and imagination, as the boy's fear of the Erlking is dismissed by his father as mere fantasy. The eerie atmosphere created by the presence of the Erlking adds depth to the narrative, leaving readers questioning the boundaries between the natural and the supernatural.

The name "Erlking" is derived from German and is often translated as "Alder King" instead of the more common "Elf King." This mistranslation has sparked discussions about the origins and meanings behind the character, adding to the intrigue of the poem.