A Dog's Will - Characters & Cast

His primary motivation is survival in a land of extreme poverty and social injustice. He cheats the rich and corrupt not just for personal gain, but also as a way of leveling the playing field. Deep down, he also possesses a sense of fairness and a desire for redemption.

João Grilo starts as a resourceful, albeit starving, con man focused solely on survival. His journey is a constant battle of wits against the powerful. His arc culminates in the ultimate trial, where he must use his cleverness not for earthly gain but for the salvation of his soul. After being given a second chance at life, he shows a begrudging but real change, donating his ill-gotten money and accepting a simpler, more honest existence.

Chicó is motivated by a desire for a peaceful life, love (specifically for Rosinha), and loyalty to João Grilo. He fears conflict and danger above all else, but his friendship and romantic aspirations push him to overcome his cowardice at crucial moments.

Chicó is initially defined by his cowardice and his penchant for telling fantastic lies. He is often dragged into João Grilo's schemes against his better judgment. Throughout their adventures, and especially after facing death, Chicó finds moments of courage, driven by his friendship with João and his love for Rosinha. His arc is about finding bravery and learning to stand on his own, though he never fully loses his whimsical and fearful nature.

Her motivation is pure compassion. As the "Compadecida," she feels the suffering of humanity and is driven to intercede on their behalf, offering salvation to those who, despite their faults, maintained a flicker of faith and goodness.

As a divine figure, her character does not have a traditional arc, but she is the agent of change for others. She represents ultimate compassion and mercy. Her role is to challenge the strict application of divine law, arguing for the importance of understanding human weakness and the context of people's lives. She is the moral center of the final act, tipping the scales from damnation to redemption.

Initially, his motivation appears to be plunder and violence. However, his true motivation is a twisted sense of justice and revenge against a society and a system that destroyed his family. He sees himself as an avenging angel for the oppressed.

Severino is introduced as a fearsome cangaceiro, a ruthless bandit who brings terror to the town. His arc is revealed posthumously during the judgment scene. We learn his violence was born from a tragic past, where his parents were killed by the police. In death, he is revealed not as a monster, but as a misguided man twisted by a desire for vengeance. Jesus absolves him, recognizing his actions as a product of his deep-seated trauma and mental illness.