The themes of good versus evil and rewarded bravery are the two most important ones in this story, which reads like a fairy tale with a typical happy ending. Also typical to a folk tale is a task or mission that most mortals are unwilling or unable to undertake. The king's man volunteers to undertake the quest to obtain the ogre feather when no one else steps forward.

This assertiveness immediately positions the king's man as the protagonist, or hero, of the story because of his bravery. The king's man is also thoughtful and sincere, adding more admirable qualities to his personality and making him more heroic for his internal bravery. The man's willingness to help common people as well as the king positions him as being of noble character and worthy of the king's generosity as well as married bliss at the end of...