Edmund Blackadder

Edmund Blackadder is the single name given to a collection of fictional characters who appear in the BBC mock-historical comedy series Blackadder, each played by Rowan Atkinson. Although each series is set within a different period of British history, each character is part of the same familial dynasty and is usually called Edmund Blackadder. Each character also shares notable personality traits and characteristics throughout each incarnation.

Each Blackadder is positioned in a different place in British society over each series, with the character falling in social rank through history. He moves from a Prince of the Realm (The Blackadder) to a Lord (Blackaddre II), a Knight (The Cavalier Years), a Royal attendant (Blackadder III), a merchant (Blackadder's Christmas Carol), and a common soldier (Blackadder Goes Forth). This downward progression ended with Blackadder Back and Forth, in which the character is presented as a contemporary Lord Blackadder. There are certain common characteristics that each Blackadder shares. Throughout each series, Blackadder is a self-serving, cynical opportunist concerned solely with increasing his own influence, status and wealth rather than serving any altruistic goals. Most Blackadders portrayed by Atkinson aspire to be King of England, a goal that two of them actually achieve. His character is symbolized by the adder, the United Kingdom's only native venomous snake, which sometimes appears in the series as a visual motif.

With the exception of the first Blackadder incarnation, Prince Edmund, each Blackadder is generally cynical, charismatic and intelligent. While he is haunted by bad luck, he is usually very capable of manipulating his way out of a crisis and in securing for himself some degree of prestige and fortune, particularly his third incarnation. His first incarnation, whilst initially a cowardly, dimwitted weakling, gradually becomes more of a capable manipulator over the course of his series and by the end of it has taken on the personality that his successors will share. Blackadder is also usually one of the few intelligent people present at any given time and usually is surrounded by incompetent, slow-witted and at times mad servants, equals and superiors. As a result, he possesses an acerbic wit and is usually prepared with numerous quick put-downs, which are often wasted on those at whom they are directed. He always has an amusingly exaggerated simile to describe whatever situation he finds himself in.

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