Westmark Cabbarus by Lloyd Alexander - 644 Words

In Lloyd Alexander’s Westmark, Cabbarus has a very high role in the palace at first; however, his sense of greed and careless decisions ultimately lead him to his downfall. The chief minister’s desire for the title of king is made evident from the very beginning, and he is shown to go as far as killing innocent people to make sure nothing stands in his way. As a result of his conscience, it is revealed that Cabbarus was responsible for the Princess’s disappearance to get the King on his side, and he his ultimately sent into exile. Ever since the very beginning of the novel, Cabbarus’s greed is shown to want even more power than he already has. â€Å"Cabbarus, [†¦] had his fingers in everything from the purchase of lobsters to the signature of death warrants† (29). This statement about the chief minister shows that he already was in possession of so much power; however he is still hungry for more. For instance, he asks the King to adopt himself as â€Å" ‘A son who dreams, who hopes, who will strive to approach the wisdom, strength, and visions of his glorious, though adoptive, forbears. A son who will honour Your Majesty now and in years to come–’ † (33). This conversation between the King and his chief minister shows that Cabbarus would like the title of heir so that he can continue his reign over the country, but as King. Throughout the novel, Cabbarus has killed many people unjustly, due to them being a threat to his desired destiny as King. One of them is Dr. Torrens, and Cabbarus