Gwendolyn
A Brief Character Study
By Katrina Slater

Age: 23

Appearance: Gwendolyn is not the best looker in the village with her mousy brown hair and shrewd eyes, but she carries herself like a princess. She is of medium height, sports a gap between her front teeth, a broad nose and forehead but who needs looks when you have money and a title?

Role: Alas, poor Gwendolyn. Desiring many, yet appealing to few men of means. Her sarcastic whit and demanding manner has brought her naught but trouble. With a tongue as loose as her chastity belt, Gwendolyn is quickly becoming a liability to her father, the Mayor, who finds himself hard pressed to marry her off to a good man. When a mysterious man called the Piper arrives at the Mayors door to rid Hamelin of rats, Gwendolyn is quite taken by the mans quiet demeanor and solemn eyes. Though the Piper appears ignorant of the girls unending affection, the Mayors daughter thinks him to be equally smitten and takes the matter to her father who quickly concludes that a wife is a much better reward for the Pipers plague extermination then what was promised. Unfortunately, the Piper disagrees and robs Hamelin of its youth when the Mayor fails to pay up. As the Piper and children stray into the night, Gwendolyn follows. Some shy she left for love, others say it was the tug of her unborn, fatherless child that prompted her to join the Pipers march.

Questions for reflection:
What might really happen to a girl in 1284 if she was found to be pregnant, and not be married? How does the morality of the medieval time period compare to the morality of todays culture? Is this an issue that is controlled by religious faith or by popular opinion?

Can you write some love poems that Gwendolyn may have written for the Piper?

When I read Katrinas description of Gwendolyn, I think of Cinderellas stepsisters spoiled and rich, not pretty, and obnoxious. Do you think Gwendolyn is like this? Can you write a story with Gwendolyn as the main character?


Art Note: Katrina executed the pen/ink drawing of Gwendolyn. The image is owned by Katrina, and may not be copied without permission.