The Cast - The Crown of Life

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This post has been long while in coming but late is better than never, right? Okay, if you haven't guessed this already, this post will be a 'literary' one. Lately I've seen quite a few character profile posts on my dashboard, and it has gotten me really excited to do one of my own. You see, a character profile post is basically a post introducing the author's characters, giving a brief description for who they are, and also a profile image that go along with the character. It sounded like a lot of fun and also probably helpful to my writing. So, I decided to go along and try it out. Little did I know, just how helpful it would be! I've had a lot of 'discoveries' about my characters (especially my main character, Marcellus Valerius--yes, I've finally settled on that name for my chief protagonist by the way) and "re-fittings" of many of their personalities. New tensions and pasts were discovered and I'm very glad that at last I can present to you a few of the main characters of my story, The Crown of Life.Please forgive the extreme lack of Ancient Roman period- clothing for most the characters. It was very difficult to find actors wearing 1st century clothing on their IMDb pages =D, but, with the help of my sisters, I did come up with a few. Also, there is a strong tendency that most of the actors don't look very Italian/Roman. Still, they were the best I found. I hope you enjoy!
Important Disclaimer: I do not own these photos, this is purely for fun and not for profit. Many of those profiles are actors from films I haven't seen. By placing their profiles here, it does not mean that I am recommending the films, or promoting the actors, I'm just using the pictures as character profiles to put life into the characters I have in my head. The other thing is the personality and traits of the profile actors are in no way the same as the characters in my story. Okay with all that said and done, lastly, I own all of these characters and all things attached to said characters; their existence makes them copyrighted to me. I'd appreciate it if this is respected please. Thanks =).

(p.s. minor spoilers, but nothing drastic!)


 Valerius Gallus
this is one of the best pictures I found with someone who looked like Valerius,
but he isn't at all THE Valerius of my imagination :-)
Valerius, the only surviving son of an aristocratic Senator, is a quiet young man, steady and determined, with great skill as a soldier in the Roman Army. He lives with his parents and sister, Anthea, in the city of Rome, and was selected as one of the top six tribunes in Legate Albinus' Legion. Having taken on the role of the eldest son, after his older brother was killed in battle, Valerius knows that his parents have high hopes in him. Yet in spite of the promising future ahead of him, Valerius feels discontented with his life, knowing that somehow man was made for a higher purpose. When Valerius' close boyhood friend, Tribune Flavius, returns to Rome after many years abroad the Empire, his arrival brings much joy to Valerius. But when he becomes betrothed to Claudia, Legate Albinus' beautiful young daughter, and gets a summons from the Imperial Palace, ambition and jealousy threaten to tear their friendship apart and set Valerius on the quest for the truth.
        Valerius' character is quiet, compassionate and thoughtful. He feels strongly and has a hot temper if the situation warrants it, yet he can be prone to bouts of depression despite his high-spirited character. Valerius has a soft side to him that he rarely lets others see.  His loyalty and patriotism to Rome is matched with his sorrow over the complacency of the Empire. His greatest desire is to find truth in his life, and to fill the empty void in his heart. 

Claudia Albinus
Claudia is the eldest daughter of Legate Albinus who is the General of Army in Rome and a confident of Nero. After her mother's death at an early age, Claudia and her little brother, Antony, were brought up by her old nurse and guardian, who was a patrician woman of reduced means named Rosa, and privately tutored by a Greek freedman. Claudia grows up to be a well-educated young woman, with a love for learning, music and beauty. She misses her mother deeply, but she is contented in life. Her father, though rather reserved and reticent about his past, holds a special place in his heart for his two motherless children, especially Claudia. Though she doesn't have many friends, having always shied away from social gatherings, she loves people and little children in particular, and dreams of the day when she is married and has children of her own. When her father betroths her to Senator Gallus' son, Tribune Valerius, Claudia feels there couldn't be a happier woman in Rome or the Empire for that matter, until a tragedy takes him away from her, and leaves her alone, searching for reality in her life.
            Claudia's character is dedicated, steadfast and loyal. She is finely cultured as a young lady becoming of her status, and owns a great deal of womanly grace. To combat that, she can be extremely stubborn, willful and owns a fierce streak of pride, though it isn't a self-conceited pride, but a ladylike dignity and self-control. Her hallmark is goodness, gentleness and an inner beauty and happiness that radiates to those around her. Much to her chagrin, her family and close friends consider her a powerhouse, but a fact little known to anyone except those closest to her is that in fact she has deep inner struggles, is oft' lonely, and is earnestly seeking from the depths of her heart for joy and peace, and Something or Someone in which to truly believe and trust in.

Flavius Apicius
Flavius, the only son of the late Governor Gaius Apicius of Umbria, returns to Rome after two grueling years of service campaigning in the Empire, embittered by what life and his uncle have done to him, and is obsessed with only one goal, one ambition, to revenge the wrong done to him after his father's death, and to rise in rank to a seat of power in Rome. Before he had left on the military campaign years before, he had become betrothed to twelve year old Anthea, his friend's sister. Now an older, attractive Anthea, and the warm friendship of Valerius tug on Flavius' spirits; yet his aching past calls to him still and the glittering reward, the crown ahead of him harden his heart, against the obstacles in his way. He has to make a choice between friendship, love and faith, or the ambition to rise, and to revenge. 
        Flavius is a charismatic person, witty and full of charm and sly in his manner. He's proud, and determined by his purpose, his painful past. He easily hides that past by a mask of loud strength, bluff, and intimidation. His actions are mostly driven by deep-ridden ambition, bitterness and jealousy, but when the the very things he fought for all his life go against him, his life disintegrates and he finds himself trapped. He has a strong abhorrence of the Christian faith, seeing how its call, and the lives of those who embrace it, wavers his purpose, and condemns his own tainted life. 

Anthea Gallus
Anthea, being the youngest daughter of Senator Gallus and Lady Cassia, adores her brother Valerius like nothing else and dreams that he'd one day become a hero such as a conquering General, riding out with his troops in victory, so she is very happy when Valerius becomes betrothed to her closest and dearest friend, Claudia. Yet she has an even more nagging fear and awe of his friend, Flavius, who she got betrothed to at the young age of twelve. She considers Flavius charming and handsome, but at the same time dominating and sly beyond her understanding, and is both dreading and yet anticipating her arranged marriage to him. 

Anthea is somewhat immature and naive, and often assigns her motives based on her feelings. She has a wild imagination and to her brother's mind, is a talkative chatter-box! She loves social gatherings, and parties and being with her friends. She enjoys  poetry and classics, and plays the tambourine beautifully. She is impulsive and romantic, and her moods are somewhat temperamental, depending on the circumstances.  She is often deluded in her flights of fancy, but underneath all of that, Anthea has a heart of gold. She is kind and compassionate and longs to have the courage to stand for what is right. She struggles with loyalties between her betrothed husband and her brother, and in spite of outwardly scorning the Christian faith, she longs for the peace that the Followers of the Christos own. But the cost of that choice is one that she isn't sure she can endure.

Julius Gallus
Julius was the eldest son of the Senator Gallus, and older brother to Valerius and Anthea, who died in battle when he was only seventeen. He and Valerius, despite the age gap, were very close, but when Valerius was 14, Julius was sent on a military campaign to fight in Gaul with Consul Apicius (Flavius' uncle) as Commander. His family mourned his death, but believed him to have died in honour, for the glory of Rome. Only Valerius and his friend Flavius (who was with Julius during the battle) know the real truth of Julius' death.

Antony Albinus
Thirteen year old Antony is Claudia's younger brother and only sibling. Antony is deeply introvert, and his favourite arena is the field of intellectual study. However, he is also impulsive and hot-headed, using his fists  on more then one occasion, yet only in defense of those who cannot fight. He thinks very highly of Valerius, and is deeply devoted to his sister especially when their father goes on his frequent military campaigns as General of the Roman Army. He shows an outward concern for Claudia's growing interest in the Christian faith, but Antony himself becomes intrigued by the tell-tale rumours and stories he hears about the practices of the Christians, and secretly starts attending their meetings, just to see if all that he has heard is true. 

 Talitha
Talitha is a little Jewish girl of eight, who plays a major role in the life of Valerius and that of Claudia. Her parents' death is a severe shock to her, but it doesn't break her feisty spirit, or her kind heart. She pours all the love of her sad little heart into those around her, and she grows to consider Valerius like a big brother to her.

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If you have any, I'd so love to hear your thoughts on my characters (encouragement and/or helpful criticism), because I know they'll be really helpful! God bless, and thanks for reading =D.

 "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." Psalm 5:11, 12 KJV

Comments

  1. That's lovely, Joy. I think it is a great idea to help you envision your characters and make them come a live a bit more. We've worked hard together to find the best options, didn't we. May the Lord guide your writing always dear sister for His glory.
    in Him,
    Sarah

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  2. Wow, I must say, wow! Your character descriptions are amazing!! I really, really look forward to reading your book! Keep up the good work!

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  3. Hello! I found your blog through Feminine Farmgirl, and I am so thrilled with what I see! I'll be stopping by in future. :) I love to write, too. Your characters look excellent.

    Blessings,
    Schuyler

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  4. Thanks, Sarah! You've helped me a lot with finding the perfect pictures for my characters (a very hard thing it was too, wasn't it!), and proofreading it too. I love you, Sarah, very much, and thanks for your constant encouragement :).

    In His love,
    ~Joy

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  5. Londongirl, thank you so very much for your encouragement with my characters. I hope in the Lord's perfect time to finish the book so you can read it =D.

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  6. Hello Schuyler,

    Thanks for stopping by and for your encouraging comment. It is always a blessing to meet sisters in Christ. What do you like to write best?

    In His love,
    ~Joy

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  7. Hello, Joy!
    I enjoy writing many different things, including theoretical essays and a slowly growing novel set in WWI. :) I have a great love for history, so that figures greatly in what I like to write. Your book holds great interest for me on that score as well. :)

    Blessings,
    Schuyler

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  8. Hello Schuyler!

    I love stories about WW1 (and WW2) very much! Do you have a title for your novel? History is one of my favourite subjects as well, and probably my favourite genre in writing. By the way, I stopped by your blog and it looks lovely!

    God bless,
    ~Joy

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  9. Hello, Joy!
    I don't have a title yet, which haunts my waking hours, but I'm trusting the Lord to give me one when I need it. Writing is a beautiful and sometimes painful thing, I think, but it gets in the blood once you begin so that you have a hard time stopping. :) It's something I constantly remind myself to keep in surrender to the Lord's will.

    Where did you get your lovely clipart on the sidebar? I need a good clipart source with paintings like that. :)

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

    Blessings,
    Schuyler

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  10. I know how frustrating it is not to have a book title while writing can be! When I first started writing my novel, I kept on fluctuating through different titles i.e "Christ or Caesar" "The Scarlet Thread"... they all didn't work out. But when Dad suggested the name "The Crown of Life" from the Scripture in Revelation I immediately knew that was it!! Having that title too, helped me form the direct theme for the novel. So I was really grateful =D.

    I pray that the Lord guides you in your writing too, Schuyler, along with the book title. Don't worry about it too much though, as I've heard great writers like C.S. Lewis having to change their novel's title a lot of times before settling on the perfect title (Silver Chair and Horse and His boy are good ones for example).

    Oh that's so true... about writing. I haven't been really able to sit down and write for a while, but only a day or so ago, I had my notebook nearby, and the words just flowed and it was so beautiful!! Thanks for that reminder too, yes, how important it is to surrender everything, including things like our writing to the Lord and let HIM take control of it, just like every aspect of our lives! Is your novel a Christian themed story by the way?

    I found those sidebar artwork from different places actually. I found a lot from blogs or from Google Images. You're welcome to copy/paste those clip-art pictures since they don't belong to me and are quite classics by the way =D.

    In His love,
    ~Joy

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  11. My novel is a Christian theme, yes. :) I try to let the story express it a bit in a natural manner, but I guide it along upon occassion. I find that it really 'shows' many more lessons than I ever intend just through relationship interactions. But my biggest challenge, I think, is trying to include prayer in a natural manner. Sometimes I wonder if it would be more effective not to, and to let the characters 'live' for Christ, but I haven't been able to reconcile that as I think it's an important Christian disipline.
    Thanks so much for your encouraging comment. :)

    Schuyler

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  12. It is true that often Christian themes can be best expressed best through the actions and interactions of the characters and not so much "talking". I know the challenge of writing prayer in fiction, to make it natural. I agree with you, though that it is a very important part of the Christian life and discipline, and therefore important to include in writing. You're welcome!

    In His love,
    ~Joy

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  13. I know this is really late, but I was just browsing through your blog and came across this post. To be honest, I hadn't intended on reading the whole thing, but once I read one part, I just had to read the rest! I hadn't fully gotten the details on what 'The Crown of Life' was about until now, and I must say, it's now piqued my interest! :D It sounds fabulous!

    <3, Emily

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  14. Thanks, Emily, for taking the time to read and comment on this post, old as it is now, and for your encouragement! I am glad you enjoyed reading this post on the cast of 'The Crown of Life', and that it has interested you as well. That is wonderful :-)

    Blessings in Jesus,
    ~Joy

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"Gracious words are like a honeycomb; sweetness to the soul and health to the body..." ~Proverbs 16:24