# King Magnus — The Apple Cart character guide

> King Magnus in The Apple Cart by George Bernard Shaw.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Magnus, Magnus True, Magnus Smiling, Magnus Gravely, Magnus Perfectly, Magnus Lucky man, Magnus Cutting, Magnus Sweetly, Magnus The rascal, Magnus Blandly, Magnus Sublime, Magnus Henpecked, Magnus Goodness gracious, Magnus Frank, Magnus Quite, Magnus Laughing, Magnus More, Magnus Furious, Magnus No, Magnus Rising

**First appearance:** 0001-the-apple-cart

## Snapshot

A shrewd, theatrically self-aware monarch who governs by wit and timing, and who knows his cabinet's speeches better than they do.

## Who they are

Magnus is the constitutional king whose real power is persuasion, and he treats his ministers like promising amateurs he has personally trained. He stages his Cabinet reception on the terrace, reasoning that open air and evening light will rob Boanerges of his Hyde Park eloquence. His marriage to Jemima is steady and unglamorous; his flirtation with Orinthia is a contest of self-dramatizing equals. His cool handling of each challenge sets the play's central question: can intelligence survive democracy's machinery?

## Relationships

### [Mr. Bill Boanerges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se/characters/mr_bill_boanerges)

_professional_

King Magnus and Boanerges have a frequent, often adversarial professional relationship as monarch and political leader.

### [Amanda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se/characters/amanda)

_professional_

Amanda is a secretary or close aide to King Magnus, with a dynamic of loyalty and witty banter.

### [Crassus Balbus Pliny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se/characters/crassus_balbus_pliny)

_professional_

Crassus Balbus Pliny is a minister or advisor to King Magnus, engaging in political discourse.

### [Sempronius Pamphilius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se/characters/sempronius_pamphilius)

_professional_

Sempronius Pamphilius is a courtier or minister who frequently interacts with King Magnus on state matters.

### [Sir Christopher Wren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se/characters/sir_christopher_wren)

_professional_

Sir Christopher Wren serves as an architect or official in the king's circle, with a respectful professional rapport.

### [Orinthia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se/characters/orinthia)

_romantic_

Orinthia is the king's mistress, sharing a passionate and intellectually charged romantic relationship.

### [Queen Elizabeth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se/characters/queen_elizabeth)

_family_

Queen Elizabeth is King Magnus's wife, their relationship marked by duty, tension, and underlying affection.

### [Mr. Joseph Proteus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se/characters/mr_joseph_proteus)

_rivalry_

Joseph Proteus is a political rival to King Magnus, often opposing the monarchy's power.

### [Lysistrata](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se/characters/lysistrata)

_friendship_

Lysistrata is a friend or intellectual companion to King Magnus, sharing philosophical discussions.

### [Jemima](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se/characters/jemima)

_professional_

Jemima is likely a servant or staff member who attends to King Magnus.

### [Crassus Balbus Pliny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se/characters/crassus_balbus_pliny)

_professional_

Crassus Balbus Pliny is a minister or advisor to King Magnus, engaging in political discourse.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se/characters/king_magnus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_apple_cart_se/characters