Miraz is a fictional character from
C. S. Lewis's fantasy series
The Chronicles of Narnia. He is the main
antagonist in the book
Prince Caspian, and is the uncle of the book's protagonist. Miraz is the
false king of
Narnia, having killed his brother,
Caspian IX, in order to assume the throne just after the birth of his nephew. The relationship between Miraz and his brother's son,
Prince Caspian, resembles that of
Claudius and
Hamlet in
Shakespeare's play
Hamlet. Miraz, a descendant of the
Telmarines who had invaded Narnia hundreds of years before, is a cruel and unpopular ruler. Most notorious for banning the teaching of Narnia's pre-
Telmarine history, he also levies high taxes and enacts harsh laws. He initially tolerates Caspian as his heir, taking the title of "
Lord Protector" for himself, before ascending the throne while Caspian is a small child. Many years later, his wife,
Prunaprismia, bears a son. Miraz is then ready to kill Caspian too, in order to clarify the succession.