Who then art thou? Part of that power which still Produceth good, whilst ever scheming ill.  --Goethe's Faust

On one hot day Satan visits Moscow with some friends. He meets a few people, throws a May Night ball, and delivers a message... On one hot day an official of Roman Empire interrogates a vagabond accused of treason. He considers hiring him as a librarian, but sentences him to death instead... A man with dreams of world travel writes a book and commits himself to a psychiatric ward... And a woman gives up everything for the mere possinility of getting her lover back... Meet the characters:

The Cat.. The huge black cat walks and talks like a human, cracks jokes and drinks vodka. Although a member of Satan's court, Cat seems fun and cheery. But as we follow it though the novel, the cat's actions are often sinister and pitiless while sometimes managing to be almost juvenile. The cat carries a dark secret that only comes out in the end. [top] [bottom]

"The Interpreter" He is the man of many names and skills, and sometimes kindness and impeccable manners. But he is also a scoundrel and a prankster of the worst kind. He twists himself and the reality to fit his master's wishes, and sometimes it seems there is no limit to his powers. But just like his colleague the cat, he also carries his personal dark secret of who he really is. [top] [bottom]

Azazello The dark assassin with foul temper and perfect aim.. small man with red hair and an ugly fang.. he is the representative of all the rest of the Dark Men that serve Voland/Satan, and the only one of them given real face and character. In Voland's court, he is the one trusted with the serious business, and the one who gets things done methodically, inevitably, and right. [top] [bottom]

Gella Gella might have been named for goddess Hel/Hella, patroness of the underworld and witchcraft. She is the most mysterious character. We never find out why she serves Satan or who she really is. Unlike some members of Voland's court, who weren't originally "dark", I think she might be. [top] [bottom]

Master Obviously, this is Bulgakov himself. Blacklisted, his plays banned from the theaters, his manuscripts hidden in the dresser drawer, he worked directing others' plays, just like Master worked in a museum, looking after other people's creations. Then in a stroke of genius, he wrote a book and guessed everything, describing everything in perfect detail. Through this book, Bulgakov, the Master, says his final good-bye to Moscow, and to us, and then, in the last generous stroke of the pen, he forgives. [top] [bottom]

Margarita She is proud, intense, emotional and spontaneous, yet courageous and loyal to the end. Bulgakov created her life as every woman's dream - Margo is beautiful and married to a rich man who is in love with her. But she doesn't love him. She doesn't care about all the material comforts he can offer. And in her search for love, she gives up everything, becoming a witch. [top] [bottom]

Voland One eye green, the other black.. a scarab on the chain around his neck and the black poodle's head topping his elegant walking stick.. to Master, it's obvious - Voland is the devil! He shows up at a ball dressed in rags, and he sits around doing nothing, but yet some of the most important things in the book are said by him.  ...Shadows are the pre-requisite of the light. Everyone gets what they believe in. And those with all the power will give without being asked...  Voland is one of the characters Bulgakov associates with. Voland is Bulgakov who has power. [top] [bottom]