Russian Folktales · Character
Mark the Rich
A merchant of uncountable wealth who drives beggars from his door on the very night God is meant to be his guest, then schemes to destroy the child prophesied to inherit it all.
supporting
Also known as Mark
First appearance: Mark the Rich
As a supporting figure in Russian Folktales, Mark the Rich is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
A wealthy, ungracious merchant who refuses charity to the poor and tries to kill a prophesied peasant boy.
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Mark the Rich covers his courtyard in velvet and brocade for a divine guest, then has a ragged old man thrown out the back way before the Lord can arrive. When a dream foretells that a poor peasant's newborn will…
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Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Mythical, magical, and human archetypes
- Divine and mortal figures
- Heroes and rulers of Kíev
+7 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because the Wise Woman’s imitation of the parents’ call introduces the fir…
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Mark the Rich appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
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See Mark the Rich in Mark the Rich