Mortola

Infobox character
colour = lavender
colour text =
name = Mortola(Magpie)
series = "Inkworld"


caption =
first = "Inkheart"
last =
creator = Cornelia Funke
portrayer = Lesley Sharp
age =
children = Capricorn
nickname = The Magpie
spouse = Unnamed blacksmith

Mortola, or The Magpie, is a fictional character in the "Inkworld" trilogy by Cornelia Funke. She will be played by Lesley Sharp in the film adaptation of "Inkheart" to be released in 2008.

Character biography

Mortola is the elderly mother of Capricorn. Described as a grey-haired woman in a black dress with a pointed nose seemingly too large for her small, wrinkly face, she is secretly known as "The Magpie," as her appearance is thought to resemble the bird."Inkheart," Chapter 14] "Inkheart," Chapter 33] She shares her son's penchant for cruelty and is feared for making poisonous concoctions.

At one time, Mortola worked as a serving maid, and was married to a blacksmith. According to Fenoglio, she followed her young son "like a shadow", loving him for his cruelty and the fear it caused. She told Capricorn daily that strength was all that mattered in the world and that one day he would be "strongest of all". However, Capricorn preferred to claim that his mother had been a princess, and his father the King's armourer."Inkheart," Chapter 34]

Mortola continues working as Capricorn's head maid after being read out of the fictional novel "Inkheart" by Darius. After her son is killed, Mortola vows revenge on Mortimer Folchart, eventually leading her to seriously injure Mortimer by shooting him in the chest with a rifle."Inkspell," Chapter 18]

Later in "Inkspell," Mortola visits The Adderhead's castle, where she repeatedly attempts to convince The Adderhead that Meggie is lying before being silenced."Inkspell," Chapter 59] She sends a small army to kill Mortimer and The Strolling Players after they are freed by The Adderhead.

References