Puddleglum

Puddleglum is presented by C. S. Lewis as a member of an invented Narnian species called Marsh-wiggles and first appears in chapter 5 of The Silver Chair. Lewis drew the name from an English rendering in John Studley's translation of Seneca's Phaedra, which at one point uses the phrase 'from Stygian puddle glum.' Lewis modelled aspects of the character on his gardener, Fred Paxford. Puddleglum is the only named Marsh-wiggle given lines in Lewis's works and is central to the Underland episode in The Silver Chair; he is also briefly mentioned at the end of The Last Battle.

Described as a Marsh-wiggle adapted to wetlands, Puddleglum is notably said to have webbed feet. Lewis and secondary descriptions emphasize his habitually gloomy, pessimistic demeanour — characters call him a 'wet blanket' — though moments in the narrative (for example after Jill's affectionate gesture) include his self-aware remark 'I am a good-looking chap,' indicating Lewis gives him a degree of comic, self-conscious physical characterization in addition to the specific detail of webbed feet.

In the narrative Puddleglum exhibits moral and intellectual resilience: he 'wins the debate with the Lady of the Green Kirtle,' breaking her enchantment. He stamps out the witch's magical fire to release Prince Rilian, injuring his foot in the process but suffering less damage than a human would because of his webbed feet. Functionally he serves as a strong, steadfast guide and companion whose steadfastness and argumentation are used by Lewis to stage philosophical and theological points (notably an ontological-style speech rendered for children). He is not presented as a supernatural deity but as a terrestrial, narrative-level humanoid with practical physical toughness and moral resolve.