Write a Note on the Character of Major Petkoff in ''Arms and the Man''.

Major Petkoff is the father of Raina. The war with the Serbs has made him an important figure in his place. He is a hero satirized by Shaw as an aristocrat who has won a high military glory without having any extraordinary qualities as a fighter.

Character of Major Petkoff in ''Arms and the Man'':

Petkoff is against modern fashions and customs. He does not like polish and culture. He is conservative in his ideas. He does not like the manner in which his wife imitates the modern customs in regard to daily bath, a calling bell for servants, etc. His old-fashioned ideas are not liked by his wife, and his wife calls him "a barbarian at heart still”. He is completely dominated by his wife. But he loves her sincerely. He is deceived easily by his wife and his daughter. Raina plays strikes with him by removing her photograph from the pocket of his old coat while she helps him to put it on.

Major Petkoff is simple, frank and peace-loving. He is a man of cheerful disposition. He is fond of comforts.

He admires the superior military skill of Bluntschli. He is anti romantic. He appreciates the worth of Bluntschli. Petkoff is polite and hospitable. He not only gives a cordial welcome to Bluntschli but he also requests him earnestly to stay in his house. He has no sentiment in regard to love and marriage. When he finds that Bluntschli is even richer than Sergius, he readily agrees to Bluntschli's proposal for Raina's hand.

Petkoff, like Catherine, has his vanity. He has spoken to the army officers of his library. But at heart he is a conservative. He regards frequent washing of the body as a foolish imitation of English manners. He is a hearty old man. His weakness excited our laughter and enriches the comic spirit of the play.