# Kullervo — The Kalevala character guide

> Kullervo in The Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Kullerwoinen, young Kullervo, young Kullerwoinen, the wicked Kullerwoinen, guilty Kullerwoinen, fell Kullervo

**First appearance:** 0034-rune-xxxi-kullerwoinen-son-of-evil

## Snapshot

A slave-born wizard consumed by rage, he sharpens his sword for vengeance and rides toward a fate he cannot outrun.

## Who they are

Kullervo is the tragic outcast of Kalevala, sold into servitude and haunted by the wrongs done to his family by Untamoinen. His flaw is a grief that curdles into destruction: he rejects his mother's pleas for peace and answers every kindness with the promise of battle. His dark runes form the epic's most harrowing arc, a counterweight to Wainamoinen's wisdom that shows what happens when a hero is made only of wounds.

## Relationships

### [Ilmarinen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/ilmarinen)

_family_

Ilmarinen's wife (Kullervo's sister) is mistreated by Ilmarinen, leading Kullervo to seek revenge against his brother-in-law.

### [Untamoinen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/untamoinen)

_family_

Untamoinen is Kullervo's uncle who enslaves him and kills his family, sparking a cycle of vengeance.

### [Youkahainen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/youkahainen)

_rivalry_

Kullervo and Youkahainen are adversaries, with Kullervo seeking revenge for past wrongs.

### [Untamoinen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/untamoinen)

_family_

Untamoinen is Kullervo's uncle who enslaves him and kills his family, sparking a cycle of vengeance.

### [Ilmarinen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/ilmarinen)

_family_

Ilmarinen's wife (Kullervo's sister) is mistreated by Ilmarinen, leading Kullervo to seek revenge against his brother-in-law.

### [Ilmarinen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/ilmarinen)

_family_

Ilmarinen's wife (Kullervo's sister) is mistreated by Ilmarinen, leading Kullervo to seek revenge against his brother-in-law.

### [Youkahainen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/youkahainen)

_rivalry_

Kullervo and Youkahainen are adversaries, with Kullervo seeking revenge for past wrongs.

### [Youkahainen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/youkahainen)

_rivalry_

Kullervo and Youkahainen are adversaries, with Kullervo seeking revenge for past wrongs.

## In the story

### [Rune XXXI: Kullerwoinen Son of Evil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxi-kullerwoinen-son-of-evil)

The son of evil, born of a captive mother; survives multiple attempts on his life and performs destructive tasks.

### [Rune XXXII: Kullervo as a Shepherd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxii-kullervo-as-a-shepherd)

Purchased slave of Ilmarinen, made a shepherd by the hostess.

### [Rune XXXIII: Kullervo and the Cheat-Cake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxiii-kullervo-and-the-cheat-cake)

The shepherd lad who is mistreated by Ilmarinen's wife; his knife is broken by a stone in the oat-loaf, prompting him to take revenge by transforming the herd into wolves and bears.

### [Rune XXXIV: Kullervo Finds His Tribe-Folk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxiv-kullervo-finds-his-tribe-folk)

Leaves Ilmarinen's home after the death of the blacksmith's wife, wanders in despair, and learns from an old woman that his parents are alive. He journeys to Northland and reunites with his family.

### [Rune XXXV: Kullervo's Evil Deeds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxv-kullervo-s-evil-deeds)

The hapless wizard-son who commits incest with his sister and laments his fate.

### [Rune XXXVI: Kullerwoinen’s Victory and Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxvi-kullerwoinen-s-victory-and-death)

The wicked wizard prepares for battle, rejects his family's pleas, avenges his people, and ultimately commits suicide by falling on his sword.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/kullervo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters