Nicola is a young and passionate Bulgarian soldier who is captured by the Serbians. He is initially portrayed as brave and defiant, but his true nature is revealed to be cowardly and selfish. He is deeply concerned with his own comfort and survival, and he is willing to betray his comrades to save himself. He also demonstrates a strong desire for luxury and a disdain for the harsh realities of war.
Louka is a servant girl who works for Raina's family. She is a strong-willed and independent woman who defies societal expectations. Despite her low social status, she is intelligent, resourceful, and capable of standing up for herself. She is attracted to Nicola's charm and charisma, but she also sees through his façade and recognizes his true character. Louka ultimately chooses to be with Nicola, even though he is a "fallen" soldier, demonstrating her defiance of societal norms and her willingness to forge her own path.
Here's a breakdown of their characters:
Nicola:
* Strengths: Charming, persuasive, enjoys luxuries
* Weaknesses: Cowardly, selfish, unreliable, self-serving
* Motivation: Personal survival and comfort
* Key Traits: Contradiction between outward image and inner self, flawed hero
Louka:
* Strengths: Independent, strong-willed, intelligent, resourceful
* Weaknesses: Can be manipulative, ambitious, passionate
* Motivation: Personal fulfillment and freedom from societal constraints
* Key Traits: Rebellious spirit, challenging societal norms, complex and intriguing
Relationship:
Nicola and Louka's relationship is one of attraction, manipulation, and ultimately, a clash of values. Louka sees through Nicola's bravado and ultimately chooses to be with him despite his flaws. This highlights Shaw's themes of social commentary and the complexities of human relationships.