# Castor — The Courts of the Morning character guide > Castor in The Courts of the Morning by John Buchan. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Castor, Señor Castor, the great Señor Castor **First appearance:** 0007-i ## Snapshot The passionless engineer-chemist who rules the Gran Seco and pulls Olifa's strings, a man with no humour, no friendships, and a crusading hatred of America. ## Who they are Castor is not cruel for cruelty's sake; he is inhuman, using men as a furnace uses coke and loyal to what he believes is right with the scruple of a saint. He has money from the Gran Seco, a camouflaged base in Olifa, and a governing class organised to do his bidding without ever sharing his secrets. Sandy's long speech about him is the book's clearest portrait of the enemy the Roylances and their friends have stumbled into. ## Relationships ### [Sandy Arbuthnot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/sandy_arbuthnot) _rivalry_ Antagonistic adversaries, with Castor as a cunning villain opposing Sandy's heroic efforts. ### [Janet Roylance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/janet_roylance) _rivalry_ Enemies, with Castor viewing Janet as a threat and target in his schemes. ### [Archie Roylance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/archie_roylance) _rivalry_ Direct antagonists, with Archie opposing Castor's villainous plans. ### [Barbara Dasent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/barbara_dasent) _psychological_ Manipulator and victim, with Castor exerting control over Barbara through coercion and obsession. ### [Sandy Arbuthnot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/sandy_arbuthnot) _rivalry_ Antagonistic adversaries, with Castor as a cunning villain opposing Sandy's heroic efforts. ### [Archie Roylance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/archie_roylance) _rivalry_ Direct antagonists, with Archie opposing Castor's villainous plans. ### [Sandy Arbuthnot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/sandy_arbuthnot) _rivalry_ Antagonistic adversaries, with Castor as a cunning villain opposing Sandy's heroic efforts. ### [Janet Roylance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/janet_roylance) _rivalry_ Enemies, with Castor viewing Janet as a threat and target in his schemes. ### [Janet Roylance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/janet_roylance) _rivalry_ Enemies, with Castor viewing Janet as a threat and target in his schemes. ### [Archie Roylance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/archie_roylance) _rivalry_ Direct antagonists, with Archie opposing Castor's villainous plans. ### [Barbara Dasent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/barbara_dasent) _psychological_ Manipulator and victim, with Castor exerting control over Barbara through coercion and obsession. ### [Barbara Dasent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/barbara_dasent) _psychological_ Manipulator and victim, with Castor exerting control over Barbara through coercion and obsession. ## In the story ### [The Courts of the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/the-courts-of-the-morning) The oppressive ruler of the Gran Seco, target of the rebellion. ### [Book I: The Gran Seco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/book-i-the-gran-seco) Mysterious and powerful figure in Olifa; his actions influence the unfolding events. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ii) Glimpsed by Archie leaving the Gran Seco offices; described as a tall, bearded man with intensely alive eyes. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iii) The Gobernador of the Gran Seco and President of the mining company; described as a mysterious, powerful figure who emerged five years ago and now rules Olifa through wealth. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/v) Arrives late to the luncheon, sits by Janet, displays broad knowledge and charm, reverses the permit refusal, impresses Archie but unsettles Janet. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/vi) The Gobernador of the Gran Seco, hosts a lunch for Archie and Janet, dominates the conversation, and shows them his office. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ix) Described as the mastermind behind the Gran Seco, using astura to enslave his followers and plotting global destabilization. ### [The Gathering Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/x) Referred to as the Gobernador; he manages the province with Napoleonic attention to detail and orchestrates international maneuvers. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/xi) Referred to as the Gobernador; he is the guest of honor at the dinner. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/xii) The Gobernador whose order closes the Universum Mine and who is the figurehead of the rebellion. ### [Book II: The Courts of the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/book-ii-the-courts-of-the-morning) Archie catches a glimpse of him; later joins the rebel cause. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/i) The Gobernador of the Gran Seco, captured by the rebels; engages in a philosophical argument with Sandy and is shown the rebel defenses. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ii) Remains calm under surveillance, studies the map, and questions the rebel strategy. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as the assumed commander-in-chief of the rebels and generalissimo of the field force. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iv) Chooses to remain at the base, oscillates between abstraction and feverish interest, questions the rebels' security, and reveals D'Ingraville is on his staff. ### [The Shattered Sanctuary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/vi) Becomes silent and preoccupied after D'Ingraville's flight; roams the settlement and stares seaward, hinting at a deeper anxiety and a sense of lost purpose. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/viii) Castor is visibly anguished by Janet's disappearance and provides crucial information about D'Ingraville and the País de Venenos. ### [The Threat to the Courts of the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/xi) The Gobernador shows irritation at Lossberg's advance, deep anxiety for Janet, and later takes command, planning to make peace. ### [The Pass Through the Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/xii) Proposes flying to Olifa to negotiate; later agrees to take command of the rebel forces and expresses a change in his ambitions. ### [Book III: Olifa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/book-iii-olifa) The powerful and mysterious figure controlling Olifa, glimpsed by Archie. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ii) Reveals his new philosophy and contentment with a smaller role; discusses the strategic situation with Janet. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/v) The rebel leader, insists on going to negotiate with the Olifa government despite Sandy's objections. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ix) Displays a rejuvenated, optimistic demeanor, speaking of beginning life anew and atoning for past errors. He is shot in the neck by Romanes during the attack. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/epilogue) Castor is remembered as the fallen leader; his grave is marked by a wooden cross on the plateau, and Sandy reflects on his death. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/castor - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters