CC - I : Comment on the Villain figure in Mrichhakatikam

Sansthanaka mockingly referred to as Shankar because of his lisp and error in pronunciation is the villain in Mrichhakatikam. He is a nephew to Palaka, the king of Ujjain and exploits his status as a royal kinsman to sway his influence and establish his domination over the citizens of the city, who are often scared to stand up to his villainy for fear of royal retribution. Sansthanaka is shown to be have multiple traits of villainy. He is useful and keen on possessing a woman by force if she does not concede to his desires which goes against both law and good judgment. Secondly, he is cruel and a murderer, who does not shy away even from murdering  a women when she is unarmed and helpless. He is both a villain and a buffoon- his pedantry and folly provides for much of the comic element of the play. He constant misquoting from the scriptures make him an object of ridicule to all, although his self love blinds him completely to this aspect in him. Lastly we find out he is also a intriguing liar and a coward. At the time of Charudatta's execution, he tries to bride Sarvalika his one time slave, but on being caught tries to expose him as a thief. It is only by stroke of luck and fortune turn of events that his villainy is exposed. Finally, he tries to fly away when he finds the shackles around him growing too strong to avoid. Thus, Sansthanaka comes across as an ultimate villain in Mrichhakatikam.

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