Fear and Trembling Characters

The narrator and author of Fear and Trembling. Kierkegaard’s pseudonym roughly translates into “John of the silence,” which could refer to the silence between Abraham and Isaac as they traveled to Mount Moriah, or… read analysis of Johannes de silentio / Søren Kierkegaard

Isaac’s father and the man Johannes de silentio considers greater than all other men because of his faith. Kierkegaard (through his pseudonym Johannes) calls Abraham the “father of faith” and believes that his actions… read analysis of Abraham

Abraham and Sarah’s son. God promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have Isaac together even though they were both well past their childbearing years. God also promised that Isaac would be the beginning… read analysis of Isaac

Abraham’s wife and Isaac’s mother. God promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son even though Sarah was seemingly too old to have any kids. However, after a lot of waiting… read analysis of Sarah

Agamemnon’s daughter. Like Isaac, Iphigenia was supposed to be sacrificed by her father. However, Agamemnon was supposed to sacrifice Iphigenia to appease an angry goddess and for the greater good whereas Isaac was… read analysis of Iphigenia

A mythical figure that wants to seduce Agnete and lure her into the ocean. Kierkegaard engages in a lengthy examination of the story of the Merman and Agnete, considering various endings to the story—whether the… read analysis of Merman

A beautiful and innocent young woman that the Merman tries to seduce and lure into the ocean. The Merman succeeds in getting Agnete close to the ocean, but when he sees so much trust and… read analysis of Agnete

Abraham and Sarah’s faithful servant. Because Eleazar was so close to Abraham, Kierkegaard questions how ethical it was for Abraham to prepare to sacrifice Isaac without telling Eleazar or Sarah. Kierkegaard arrives at the… read analysis of Eleazar