# Bhanavar the Beautiful — The Shaving of Shagpat character guide

> Bhanavar the Beautiful in The Shaving of Shagpat by George Meredith.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Bhanavar, Queen Bhanavar

**First appearance:** 0001-and-this-is-the-story-of-bhanavar-the-beautiful

## Snapshot

A Caucasus damsel whose moonlit beauty and betrothal to an Emir's son open a tale of serpents, love, and ruin.

## Who they are

Bhanavar the Beautiful binds her hair beside a deep blue lake near a nest of wise, ancient serpents, laughing at her own reflection while her prince rides to meet her. Their betrothal is a consuming passion, sanctioned by both tribes, and their stolen hours by the water are innocent and tender. Yet her story is set apart from Shibli's as a tale within the tale, and the serpents near that lake promise that her loveliness will not remain a simple pastoral romance.

## Relationships

### [Mashalleed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/mashalleed)

_psychological_

Bhanavar is a tragic figure obsessed with Mashalleed, who manipulates her for his own ends.

### [Abarak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/abarak)

_psychological_

Abarak is entangled in Bhanavar's tragic story, serving as a witness to her doomed love and manipulation.

### [Ruark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/ruark)

_romantic_

Bhanavar's love for Ruark is a central tragic romance, driving her to desperate magical acts.

### [Feshnavat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/feshnavat)

_professional_

Bhanavar seeks Feshnavat's barbering skills and magical knowledge, creating a transactional relationship.

### [Mashalleed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/mashalleed)

_psychological_

Bhanavar is a tragic figure obsessed with Mashalleed, who manipulates her for his own ends.

### [Mashalleed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/mashalleed)

_psychological_

Bhanavar is a tragic figure obsessed with Mashalleed, who manipulates her for his own ends.

### [Ruark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/ruark)

_romantic_

Bhanavar's love for Ruark is a central tragic romance, driving her to desperate magical acts.

### [Feshnavat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/feshnavat)

_professional_

Bhanavar seeks Feshnavat's barbering skills and magical knowledge, creating a transactional relationship.

### [Ruark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/ruark)

_romantic_

Bhanavar's love for Ruark is a central tragic romance, driving her to desperate magical acts.

### [Abarak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/abarak)

_psychological_

Abarak is entangled in Bhanavar's tragic story, serving as a witness to her doomed love and manipulation.

### [Abarak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/abarak)

_psychological_

Abarak is entangled in Bhanavar's tragic story, serving as a witness to her doomed love and manipulation.

## In the story

### [The Thwackings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-thwackings)

Legendary figure to whom Noorna is compared; Shibli begins to narrate her story.

### [And This Is the Story of Bhanavar the Beautiful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/and-this-is-the-story-of-bhanavar-the-beautiful)

The beautiful damsel who becomes obsessed with the Serpent's Jewel, leading her to urge her betrothed to retrieve it despite his warnings.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/bhanavar_the_beautiful
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters