# The Tsar — Russian Folktales character guide > The Tsar in Russian Folktales by A. N. Afanasyev. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Tsar, O Tsar **First appearance:** 0004-the-dun-cow ## Snapshot The emperor who sits in judgment over returning daughters and wonders, ready to pardon, marry, or punish according to the tears in front of him. ## Who they are This Tsar is the folktale's final arbiter, the throne where a family's cruelty and a maiden's goodness are laid bare. When the old man brings his three daughters before him, the Tsar is amazed by the crystal apple's visions and wroth with the wicked sisters. He is swayed by the youngest's plea for mercy, and his offer of marriage turns her virtue into a crown, closing the arc with justice softened by wonder. ## Relationships ### [Iván Tsarévich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/ivan_tsarevich) _family_ Iván is the Tsar's son, often sent on quests to prove himself or win the Tsar's favor. ### [The Soldier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_soldier) _professional_ The Soldier serves the Tsar, often carrying out orders or being sent on dangerous missions. ### [Iván Tsarévich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/ivan_tsarevich) _family_ Iván is the Tsar's son, often sent on quests to prove himself or win the Tsar's favor. ### [Iván Tsarévich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/ivan_tsarevich) _family_ Iván is the Tsar's son, often sent on quests to prove himself or win the Tsar's favor. ### [The Soldier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_soldier) _professional_ The Soldier serves the Tsar, often carrying out orders or being sent on dangerous missions. ### [The Soldier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_soldier) _professional_ The Soldier serves the Tsar, often carrying out orders or being sent on dangerous missions. ## In the story ### [The Tale of the Silver Saucer and the Crystal Apple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tale-of-the-silver-saucer-and-the-crystal-apple) The ruler who witnesses the magic of the saucer, pardons the sisters, and marries the revived maiden. ### [The Foundling Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-foundling-prince) The father who loses his son and later tests the foundling with a riddle. ### [The Tsarítsa Harpist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tsar-tsa-harpist) Imprisoned by the Accursed King, forced to plough; writes to his wife for rescue; later condemns her before learning the truth. ### [The Tale of Iván Tsarévich, the Bird of Light, and the Grey Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tale-of-iv-n-tsar-vich-the-bird-of-light-and-the-grey-wolf) Tsar Výslav Andrónovich, father of Iván and his brothers, who sends his sons to capture the Bird of Light. ### [The Tale of Iván Tsarévich, the Bird of Light, and the Grey Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tale-of-iv-n-tsar-vich-the-bird-of-light-and-the-grey-wolf) Tsar Dolmát, who captures Iván and demands the golden-maned horse as ransom for the Bird of Light. ### [The Tale of Iván Tsarévich, the Bird of Light, and the Grey Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tale-of-iv-n-tsar-vich-the-bird-of-light-and-the-grey-wolf) Tsar Afrón, who demands Princess Eléna in exchange for the golden-maned horse. ### [The Priest with the Envious Eyes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-priest-with-the-envious-eyes) Ruler of the kingdom where the princess is ill; offers reward for her cure and threatens execution for failure. ### [The Soldier and Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-soldier-and-death) The ruler who tests the soldier by sending him to the haunted palace and later becomes ill. ### [The Midnight Dance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-midnight-dance) The Accursed Tsar who hosts the princesses in his subterranean realm for nightly dances. ### [Vasilísa the Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/vasil-sa-the-fair) The ruler who marries Vasilísa after admiring her fine linen and her beauty. ### [The Princess Who Would Not Smile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-princess-who-would-not-smile) The father of the princess who promises her hand to whoever makes her smile. ### [The Tsarévich and Dyád’ka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tsar-vich-and-dy-d-ka) The Tsarévich's greedy father who imprisons the Woodsprite, exiles his son, and later offers his daughter's hand to the monster's slayer. ### [Prince Evstáfi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/prince-evst-fi) Angry father who condemns his son to hanging for his charitable ways, but is humbled by the prince's lesson. ### [Vasilísa Popóvna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/vasil-sa-pop-vna) Tsar Bárkhat, the king who tests Vasilísa to determine her gender, is repeatedly outwitted. ### [The Soldier and the Tsar in the Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-soldier-and-the-tsar-in-the-forest) The Tsar who gets lost while hunting and is helped by the soldier. He later rewards the soldier with a generalship. ### [The Quarrelsome Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-quarrelsome-wife) The new Tsar who issues a decree that wives should command their husbands. ### [The Sea Tsar and Vasilísa the Wise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-sea-tsar-and-vasil-sa-the-wise) Iván's father, who unknowingly promises his son to the Sea Tsar. ### [The Story of the Brave and Doughty Knight Ilyá Múromets and the Nightingale Robber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-story-of-the-brave-and-doughty-knight-ily-m-romets-and-the-nightingale-robber) The Tsar of Sébezh, whose city is saved by Ilyá from three Tsarévichi. ### [Nikíta the Tanner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/nik-ta-the-tanner) Father of the Tsarévna; seeks out Nikíta and begs him to fight the dragon. ### [At the Behest of the Pike](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/at-the-behest-of-the-pike) The angry Tsar who marries his daughter to the peasant and sets them adrift; later tricked into being caught with a duck. ### [Never-Wash](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/never-wash) The ruler who, in financial need, agrees to give his daughter in marriage to the soldier in exchange for money. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_tsar - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters