My Name is Red

The most frequent narrator of My Name is Red, Black is the central protagonist and the main romantic interest of the novel’s most important female character.

Absent from Istanbul for 12 years, Black’s return to the city of his birth coincides with the murder of Elegant Effendi. While away, Black served as a secretary and collected taxes, although he was schooled in the miniaturist’s art as a boy and is familiar with the Muslim book tradition due to the influence of his uncle, Enishte. Since he was a young man, Black has harbored romantic feelings for his cousin, Shekure, although his early attempts to win her hand met with resistance from both Shekure and her father. As a result, Black was banished from his uncle’s home.

Black’s thoughts often turn to Shekure, and he considers her beauty and allure even while talking with other characters about the philosophical aspects of Muslim art or the need to discover the murderer of Elegant. While Enishte recognizes that Black has matured during his time away from Istanbul, the young man still exhibits naïve and romantic traits. For instance, he often imagines his life as miniature paintings and, when in Shekure’s presence, he has trouble controlling his sexual urges.