Minotaur

The Minotaurs were a huge and aggresive race of intelligent Narnian creatures, with the head, tail, and rear hooves of a bull, but stood erect like a human. Minotaurs are meant to be very strong and ill-tempered when they fight against their enemies. Their hands only had three stump-like fingers on them, which were two massive ones, and one small one.

During the Long Winter, the Minotaurs served the White Witch in the White Witch's Army. The Minotaurs were present at the sacrifice of Aslan at the Stone Table and fought during the First Battle of Beruna. The Minotaurs were some of the strongest, bravest and most resourceful soldiers in her army.

During the search for Prince Rilian, a giant-made Bridge is crossed by Puddleglum, Eustace and Jill that has some images of Minotaurs carved on it, which is a possible clue as to where the minotaurs originated or it is giants who went to where minotaurs come from and carved it on the bridge to tell the tale.

Film
In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe minotaurs were seen fighting in the First Battle of Beruna using Scimitars and Axes to cut down their enemy. They were led by a Minotaur General called Otmin who was killed by Oreius the Centaur.



It appears that soon after the Telmarines invaded Narnia the Minotaurs joined forces with the other Narnians to rebel against Miraz.

"A common enemy unites even the oldest of foes."

- Trufflehunter

The Minotaurs, like all the other Narnian creatures, were forced into hiding during the Telmarine rule of Narnia. Several Minotaurs, led by Asterius, were around during the Narnian Revolution and aided Caspian X and the Pevensies in their attempt to overthrow King Miraz. Minotaurs were present at the meeting at the Dancing Lawn, and fought in both the Telmarine Castle Night Raid and the Second Battle of Beruna.

Animated Adaption
Even though Minotaurs fought on the White Witch's side in the book, movie, and bbc adaption, they fight on the side of Aslan in the animated adaption of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Notable Minotaurs

 * Otmin (LWW film and game only)
 * Asterius (PC game and film only)
 * Diomedus (PC game and film only)
 * Tavros (VDT film)
 * Jemain (VDT film)

Behind the Scenes

 * Minotaurs are mentioned in the books though none are named, all named Minotaurs were created for the films.
 * All three named Minotaurs (Otmin, Asterius and Tavros) are played by Shane Rangi.
 * In Greek Mythology, the first Minotaur, Asterius, was captive in Daedelus's Labyrinth.
 * Tavros has short hair, the Minotaur equivalent of being clean shaven.

The Good Minotaur Debate
Minotaurs while not in the Prince Caspian book, appear in the Disney and Walden media film of Prince Caspian. In the film, they are now depicted as good and being led by Asterius. The reason for this change according to Douglas Gresham is:


 * “There are several reasons for that. Firstly, we felt that we needed to show that in Narnia as here, old foes can be forgiven and can reconcile and work together, given the will to do so. Secondly, that in Narnia as also it is here, a common adversary will bring even the worst of enemies together and unite them. Also, that the shapes and colors of a species’ body do not necessarily denote their character, that just because someone is a Minotaur does not have to mean that they are all bad. Finally, we kind of like Minotaurs.”

Reasons in favor

 * Those in favor of the idea believe that Minotaurs are just as capable of turning good as the Dwarfs,and Wolves (wolves Jadis had turned to stone that Aslan restored) who had fought on both sides during the Hundred-Year Winter.
 * Obviously, the Minotaurs cannot fight for Miraz.
 * C.S. Lewis said in an interview once “there are no creatures in Narnia that are specifically evil or specifically good, there are just creatures who make choices and take sides”.

Reasons against

 * Those opposed however note Tufflehunter’s objection to allowing Hags or werewolves into the Old Narnians, saying, “We should not have Aslan for a friend if we brought in that rabble.”
 * The Minotaur of Mythology was not a very pleasant creature, however given that there are other Mythological creatures in Narnia (Fauns, Satyrs, Centaurs) that are nothing like their mythological counterparts, this point contributes little.
 * Another point brought up by those against the idea is that the Minotaurs are only ever mentioned in the books being a part of the White Witch’s army. However, it may be this vague representation that leaves the Minotaur open for character expansion/ poetic liscence.

Appearances

 * The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
 * The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Disney movie)
 * The Lion the Witch and Wardrobe (video Game)
 * Prince Caspian (Disney movie)
 * Prince Caspian (video Game)
 * The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (film)