The Soldier Character Analysis in My Name is Red

The soldier is Shekure’s first husband, who is never named and never takes an active role in the narrative. He is the brother of Hasan and the father of Shevket and Orhan. He is described as handsome and brave, but he disappears in battle and is never heard from again. Hasan and his father claim that the soldier is still alive, but, as he never returns to Istanbul, he is widely presumed to be dead, leading Shekure to eventually be granted the legal status of widowhood.

The Soldier Character Timeline in My Name is Red

The timeline below shows where the character The Soldier appears in My Name is Red. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...no longer allowed to visit, and three years after Black left Istanbul Shekure married a soldier and had two sons with him. However, soon after this, the soldier disappeared in battle,... (full context)

...Shekure sneaks downstairs and separates her sons, gently slapping Shevket, who declares that when his father comes back, they will all go to live with “Uncle Hasan” again. This infuriates Shekure,... (full context)

...It is now evening, and Esther is at home in the Jewish Quarter with her husband, Nesim. She recalls that earlier that day, she was given a letter by Hayriye, and... (full context)

...Black left, Shekure covered up the names “Shekure” and “Black” on the picture, so her husband and father would not notice. (full context)

...marry a rich and powerful scholar who loved art, but instead Shekure married a handsome soldier with whom she had fallen in love. Enishte did not approve of the match because... (full context)

Shekure would have gone back to Enishte’s house, but because her husband was still possibly alive his family could have punished her and Enishte if she left.... (full context)

...does not want her to. However, she admits that she now feels certain that her husband is dead. Enishte says that if he dies, he wants Shekure to ensure that the... (full context)

...that he intends to go to the judge to force her to return to his father’s house. Shekure begins writing a response to Black and pauses. Esther reassures her that everything... (full context)

...a letter to Black, but Shevket protests that yesterday Black admitted that he killed Shevket’s father. Shevket cries and Shekure slaps him, before embracing him. (full context)

...calls the two boys together and scold Shevket for telling Orhan that Black killed their father. Shevket cries that he’d prefer Hasan to become their new father, and Shekure slaps him... (full context)

...required to return to Hasan’s house and that this is why she is hiding her father’s death. Immediately, she begins to arrange her and Black’s marriage, setting out conditions which include... (full context)

...house and she tells him she will meet him outside. She explains that Shekure’s first husband is back and that they are at “their” house. She says that Hasan visited Enishte’s... (full context)

...her sons well and not to inquire about why she went to Hasan’s house. Hasan’s father says he will not permit Shekure to leave, and that Shekure’s first husband is on... (full context)

As the sounds of the attack echo through the house, Hasan’s father says that if Shekure wants to leave, she can go. The children cry, and Esther... (full context)