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Spoiler warning!
This article or section contains plot spoilers for the Mortal Engines quartet. Proceed at your own risk. |
Herbert Melliphant was a male human who was introduced in Mortal Engines. He was a First Class Apprentice in the Guild of Historians.
He was likely killed in the MEDUSA overload that destroyed London.[1]
In the 2018 film, he was portrayed by Australian actor Andrew Lees.
Appearance[]
Melliphant was described as fat[2][3] and burly, with a square face that reddens easily.[2] He had a braying voice. Like all members of the Historians' Guild, he wore black robes.[2] His ears, when flat, resemble a pale slug.[3]
Hebert is thin, with pale skin and brown hair. He wears the black-and-blue clothing of the Historians, and has a haughty, accented voice.[4]
Personality[]
Melliphant was selfish, willing to use anyone for his own gain; the only reason he talked to Tom during the capture of Salthook was to impress Clytie Potts.[2] Later, after his demotion, he tries to use Katherine, Bevis, and Magnus Crome as a way of being promoted back to First Class.[3]
Melliphant was brutish as well, using his size and strength to bully others. He especially enjoyed picking on those who could not fight back. However, Melliphant is also shown to be cunning and intelligent. These traits combined make him "the worst sort of bully; the sort who didn't just hit your and stick your head down the lavatory, but made it his business to find out all your secrets and the things that upset you most and taunt you with them".[2]
Melliphant was elitist. He thought very highly of himself and his status as a First Class Apprentice. When Clytie Potts suggested inviting Tom to a party, Melliphant turned red and objected. He remarked that Tom was "just a Third. A skivvy". Melliphant believed that one had to buy a First Class Apprenticeship in order to be considered a true Apprentice, taunting Tom with the comment "it's a pity your dad didn't leave you enough money for a proper apprenticeship". He was also dismissive of anyone living on London's lower tiers, referring to those areas derisively as "slums".[2]
History[]
Pre-Series[]
Prior to 1007 TE, Melliphant's parents paid for his First Class Apprenticeship.[2]
Mortal Engines quartet[]
Mortal Engines[]
Melliphant was first seen during London's capture of Salthook, attempting and failing to impress Historian Clytie Potts. He insulted fellow Apprentice Tom Natsworthy's deceased parents, leading to a brawl.
Later, while celebrating London's success on the Great Hunting Ground, Melliphant set off a firecracker in the London Museum and was demoted to the rank of Third Class Apprentice as punishment. He was thoroughly dissatisfied with his new job of mopping floors. Looking for a way to "claw his way back up to First Class", Melliphant spied on Katherine Valentine and Bevis Pod after overhearing their plan to destroy MEDUSA, reporting their actions to London's mayor Magnus Crome.
He is presumed to have died when London was obliterated by MEDUSA.
Predator's Gold[]
Tom mentions that Skewer reminded him of Herbert.
Film[]
Herbert first appears spying on Tom telling Katherine about the Sixty Minute War in a secret room. He later confronts and taunts him before sending him down to the Gut to search for relics.
Later, he appeared when Thaddeus exited the 13th Floor Elevator after his trip to Sharkmoor Prison, telling him about Tom's secret stash of Old Tech in the museum, hoping to get a promotion.
At the end of the film, he becomes a refugee of Shan Guo alongside the other Londoners with Katherine leading them.
Trivia[]
- "Herbert" is English name derived from the Old German elements "heri" ("army") and "beraht" ("bright"). It was borne by two Merovingian Frankish kings and several medieval saints.[5]
Gallery[]
).png "Herbert melliphant (film version, mortal engines (2018)).png (501 KB)")
References[]
- ↑ Mortal Engines, Chapter 36: "The Shadow of Bones"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Mortal Engines, Chapter 1: "The Hunting Ground"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Mortal Engines, Chapter 31: "The Eavesdropper"
- ↑ Mortal Engines (2018)
- ↑ Herbert - Behind the Name