Peter Pevensie, famously known as High King Peter in the Chronicles of Narnia, holds a significant place in the hearts of readers and viewers alike. Created by C.S. Lewis, Peter is the eldest of the Pevensie siblings and a central figure in the epic fantasy series. From his initial appearance in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to his reign as High King, Peter’s character arc is rich with development, displaying traits of courage, responsibility, and at times, doubt. This article delves into a detailed character comparison of High King Peter as portrayed in the books and the film adaptations, particularly focusing on The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian. We will explore the nuances of his personality, his growth, and how faithfully the cinematic versions have captured the essence of High King Peter.
Peter in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: Humility and Responsibility
In both C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and the 2005 film adaptation, Peter Pevensie is introduced as the responsible elder brother. He embodies a fatherly role towards his siblings, especially the youngest, Lucy. A defining characteristic of High King Peter is his humility. Even at a young age, Peter demonstrates a capacity for self-awareness and readily admits his mistakes. This is evident early in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe when, upon entering Narnia through the wardrobe, Peter apologizes to Lucy for not believing her initial claims about the magical land. This moment, present in both the book and the film, establishes Peter’s honorable nature.
Furthermore, Peter’s sense of responsibility is consistently highlighted. He feels deeply accountable for his siblings’ well-being. In a pivotal moment in both narratives, Peter acknowledges his part in Edmund’s betrayal to the White Witch. In the book, Peter confesses to Aslan, “That was partly my fault, Aslan. I was angry with him and I think that helped him to go wrong.” The film slightly alters this line to, “It’s my fault, really. I was too hard on him,” but the core message remains: High King Peter takes ownership of his actions and their impact on his family. This protective instinct is further emphasized in the film when Peter considers sending his sisters, Susan and Lucy, back to England, stating, “I promised Mum I’d keep you three safe.” Throughout The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, both the book and film versions of Peter showcase consistent traits of heroism, honor, and humility, laying the foundation for his future role as High King Peter.
Peter Pevensie apologizes to Lucy in the snowy woods of Narnia
Peter in Prince Caspian: Faith and Leadership Tested
Prince Caspian marks a significant chapter in the development of High King Peter. Both the book and the 2008 film explore the theme of faith, particularly Peter’s struggle with belief and leadership. In the novel Prince Caspian, Peter grapples with doubt when Lucy insists she has seen Aslan. Despite his past experiences in Narnia and his knowledge of Aslan’s reality, Peter’s pragmatic nature leads him to question Lucy’s claim. He articulates this internal conflict, “I know Lucy may be right after all, but I can’t help it. We must do one or the other.” This internal struggle showcases a realistic portrayal of faith – even for a High King, belief can be tested by doubt and reason. Peter’s humility resurfaces when Aslan finally appears. He immediately apologizes, “Oh, Aslan,…I’m so glad. And I’m so sorry. I’ve been leading them wrong ever since we started and especially yesterday morning.” This admission of fallibility reinforces his admirable character.
The film adaptation of Prince Caspian presents a slightly different approach to Peter’s faith. While the book emphasizes Peter’s internal struggle, the film externalizes it through dialogue. In a conversation with Lucy, film-Peter expresses a desire for tangible proof of Aslan’s presence, “You’re lucky, you know…To have seen him. I wish he’d just given me some sort of proof.” This line, while not directly from the book, captures a similar sentiment of doubt and longing for reassurance. However, the film omits the direct apology scene between Peter and Aslan, which diminishes the explicit acknowledgment of Peter’s mistake in leadership and faith that is present in the book.
Furthermore, the film adaptation of Prince Caspian portrays High King Peter as somewhat discontent and even irritable upon returning to Narnia. He is frustrated with reverting to a younger age and struggles to adapt back to life in England after experiencing kingship. This frustration manifests as impatience and anger, even towards Caspian, the rightful Telmarine king. In contrast, the book version of Peter, while serious about the mission, maintains a more measured and kingly demeanor. In the novel, Peter clarifies his role to Caspian, “I haven’t come to take your place, you know, but to put you into it,” emphasizing his support for Caspian’s rightful claim. The film, however, depicts a more adversarial dynamic, with Peter questioning Caspian’s leadership, “Your first mistake was thinking you could lead these people.” This rivalry, although adding dramatic tension, slightly deviates from the book’s portrayal of High King Peter as a wise and supportive leader.
Another significant divergence in the film is Peter’s confidence, which borders on arrogance. During the night raid on Miraz’s castle, Peter makes a rash decision to proceed with the attack despite strategic disadvantages, proclaiming, “No, I can still do this!” This decision leads to significant Narnian losses. In the book, Peter’s confidence is rooted in his faith in Aslan, not in his own abilities. The book Peter understands, “Aslan and the girls… are somewhere close. We don’t know when he will act. In his time, no doubt, not ours. In the meantime he would like us to do what we can on our own.” This highlights a key difference: the book emphasizes Peter’s reliance on Aslan’s providence, while the film sometimes portrays him as relying on his own strength and judgment, occasionally leading to displays of pride, a stark contrast to the humble High King Peter of the books.
Conclusion: Faithful Adaptations with Nuances
In conclusion, both film adaptations of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian capture essential aspects of High King Peter’s character from C.S. Lewis’s novels. William Moseley’s portrayal effectively conveys Peter’s heroism, responsibility, and initial humility, particularly in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. However, Prince Caspian takes some liberties, portraying a more conflicted and at times prideful Peter, especially in the film version, which slightly deviates from the consistently humble and faith-driven High King Peter depicted in the books. While the films offer a visually engaging interpretation, readers looking for a deeper exploration of Peter’s internal struggles with faith and leadership will find the book versions offer a richer and more nuanced portrayal of this iconic character. Ultimately, both book and film versions contribute to the enduring legacy of High King Peter, a character who continues to inspire readers and viewers with his journey of growth, responsibility, and the complexities of leadership.
