Give Your Impression of the Character of Sergius in “Arms and the Man”.

Sergius is romantic and sentimental in his attitude to life. By his pose and romantic attitude he produces an impression wherever he goes. Like the romantic poet Byron, the Byronic hero Sergius is selfconscious, full of absurdly romantic ideas, self-critical and moody.

Character of Sergius in “Arms and the Man”:

Sergius is a young Bulgarian military officer. He is proud of his victory by cavalry charge at the battle of Slivnitza. Catherine and Raina appreciate his heroism. But Bluntschli calls him "the very maddest of all the fools let loose on a field of battle". His cavalry charge goes unrecognized. Sergius is completely disillusioned as a soldier. He tells Catherine, "Soldiering, my dear madam, is the coward's art of attacking mercilessly when you are strong and keeping out of harm's way when you are weak. That is the whole secret of successful fighting." At last Sergius has discovered that his great victory with his cavalry charge "was the cradle and the grave" of his military reputation.

Shaw illustrates through Sergius the conflict of romance and reality in the field of love and ultimate triumph of reality over romance. At tha beginning of the drama Sergius plays his part of a romantic lover ac efficiently as Raina. After the battle Sergius comes to Raina's house Raina then addresses him as "My hero!" My king!" Sergius addresses her as his queen and his saint. Sergius tells Raina that it is her love that has inspired him to go through the war like a knight in a tournament with his lady looking down on him. He has 'higher love' for Raina. But this utterance of Sergius is only lip deep and vanishes at the touch of reality. The handsome maid Louka inspires Sergius at the first sight of her, with real earthly love. Sergius does not hesitate to flirt with Louka. He forgets his higher love and surrenders himself to her. His illusion about higher love is gone. Louka finally captures him. Sergius marries Louka and that cures him of his heroic ideal.

Sergius admires the practical wisdom and strong commonsense of Bluntschli. He holds a very high opinion about Bluntschli and remarks in this way: "What a man. Is he a man!" We must give credit to Sergius for speaking so highly of Bluntschli.