# Tarzan — Jungle Tales of Tarzan character guide > Tarzan in Jungle Tales of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Tarzan of the Apes, Lord Greystoke, the young Lord Greystoke, the real Lord Greystoke **First appearance:** 0000-i-tarzan-s-first-love ## Snapshot An English lord raised by apes, Tarzan swings between jungle instinct and a man's restless mind, newly awakened to love and the ache of being different. ## Who they are Tarzan belongs to Kerchak's ape tribe yet stands apart from it, his smooth skin and white teeth a constant reminder that he is something other than his brothers. Watching Teeka, he feels desire for the first time, and with it a shame at his own hairless body that no ape would ever understand. His restless intelligence and his rope—plaything turned weapon—make him the story's engine, driving the early tales of courtship, rivalry, and mischief that reveal how much of a man lives inside the beast-raised boy. ## Relationships ### [Teeka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters/teeka) _friendship_ Tarzan and Teeka share a close bond of mutual respect and playful companionship, with Teeka often acting as a bridge between Tarzan and the ape tribe. ### [Taug](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters/taug) _rivalry_ Tarzan and Taug are frequent rivals, competing for status within the ape tribe and for Teeka's attention, though their conflict is often tempered by grudging respect. ### [Numa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters/numa) _rivalry_ Numa the lion is a constant predator and enemy to Tarzan, representing the deadly dangers of the jungle that Tarzan must overcome. ### [Gomangani](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters/gomangani) _rivalry_ The Gomangani (black men) are often hostile to Tarzan, viewing him as a threat or a strange creature to be feared and attacked. ### [Tibo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters/tibo) _friendship_ Tarzan protects and befriends the young boy Tibo, acting as a guardian and teacher in the hostile jungle environment. ### [Mbonga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters/mbonga) _rivalry_ Mbonga, the village chief, is a persistent enemy of Tarzan, leading attacks against him and fearing his power over the jungle. ### [Sheeta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters/sheeta) _rivalry_ Sheeta the panther is a deadly predator who frequently stalks and fights Tarzan, embodying the constant threat of the wild. ### [Tantor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters/tantor) _friendship_ Tantor the elephant is a loyal ally to Tarzan, often coming to his aid and sharing a bond of mutual understanding and respect. ### [Kerchak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters/kerchak) _rivalry_ Kerchak, the ape king, is a hostile rival to Tarzan, often clashing with him for dominance and leadership of the tribe. ### [Bukawai](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters/bukawai) _rivalry_ Bukawai and Tarzan are enemies, with Bukawai using his dark magic and cunning to try to harm or capture Tarzan. ### [Gazan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters/gazan) _rivalry_ Gazan, a fierce ape, is an antagonist to Tarzan, often challenging him physically and representing the brutish side of the ape tribe. ### [Bolgani](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters/bolgani) _rivalry_ Bolgani the gorilla is a powerful enemy of Tarzan, engaging in violent confrontations that test Tarzan's strength and cunning. ## In the story ### [Tarzan's First Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters/i-tarzan-s-first-love) Experiences first love and jealousy towards Teeka; fights Sheeta to protect her. ### [The Capture of Tarzan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters/ii-the-capture-of-tarzan) Observes the black warriors digging a pit trap, is captured and bound, escapes his bonds during the death dance, fights the villagers, and is rescued by Tantor. Later reflects on his friendship with Tantor and rushes to warn him of the pit. ### [III: The Fight for the Balu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters/iii-the-fight-for-the-balu) Curious and hurt by Teeka's aggression; uses rope to subdue Taug; defends Taug from another ape. ### [IV: The God of Tarzan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters/iv-the-god-of-tarzan) Driven by curiosity, Tarzan searches for God, consulting apes and spying on the black village. He bravely fights Histah the snake to save Teeka and Gazan. ### [Tarzan and the Black Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters/v-tarzan-and-the-black-boy) Fashions a new rope, cares for Gazan, and attempts to raise the captured black boy Tibo as his own balu. ### [The Witch-Doctor Seeks Vengeance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters/vi-the-witch-doctor-seeks-vengeance) Rescues Tibo from Bukawai's cave and returns him to his mother; later visits the village to stop Momaya's wailing but spares her. ### [VII: The End of Bukawai](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters/vii-the-end-of-bukawai) Hunts alone, reflects on solitude, is struck by lightning during a storm, and recalls childhood rope-swinging incident. ### [The Lion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters/viii-the-lion) Leads the plan to harass Numa and retrieve Mamka's body; later steals from Mbonga's village and teaches the tribe about sentries. ### [IX: The Nightmare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters/ix-the-nightmare) Starving and envious, Tarzan watches the blacks feast, kills an old warrior for meat, and later suffers a nightmare after eating spoiled elephant meat. ### [X: The Battle for Teeka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters/x-the-battle-for-teeka) Leads the pursuit of Toog to rescue Teeka, fights Toog and his tribe, and is saved by Teeka's use of the mysterious cylinders. ### [XI: A Jungle Joke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters/xi-a-jungle-joke) Full-grown and playful, he cuts his hair with a sharpened shell, recalls past battles, and plans to free Numa from the blacks' trap. ### [XII: Tarzan Rescues the Moon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters/xii-tarzan-rescues-the-moon) Explores the jungle by night, defends Bulabantu from the apes, and observes the black warriors' struggle against lions. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters/tarzan - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/characters