In Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, the main character and protagonist of the novel, Gulliver, experiences a remarkable change. Throughout the beginning of the novel, Gulliver demonstrates himself as possessing character traits which would be similar to a Horatian Satire, however his laid back and humorous side is transformed throughout the novel into a serious moralist described by Juvenalian Satire. Gulliver's character is completely altered throughout his visits to Lulliput, Brobdingnag, Laputa, and Houyhnhnm.
In book one, Gulliver's voyage to Lulliput, as horrific as the circumstance was, the laid back manner Gulliver speaks of his stories is remarkable. As absurd and crude some of the lilliputians are, Gulliver speaks of them as being peculiar. He understands that the lilliputians only act according to human nature which is unchangeable. When the ropes and binds are finally cut from Gulliver so he is able to stand up, his first reaction is "I never beheld a more entertaining prospect" (p. 36). This thought demonstrates Gulliver's entire attitude towards his situation in Lulliput. He is neither freaked out or upset about the circumstance, but rather more amused than anything. Gulliver was able to adapt so well to Lilliput that he wanted to display his respect for the land by offering to defend it: "I desired the Secretary to present my humble Duty to the Emperor, and to let him know, that I thought it would not become Me, who was a Foreigner, to interfere with Parties; but I was ready, with the hazard of my Life, to defend his Person and State against all Invaders" (ch. 4). This chapter perfectly reflects Gulliver as being a tolerant and witty man of the world defined by Horatian Satire.
In book two, Gulliver's travels take him to Brobdingnag, where the situation is reversed and Gulliver becomes to the Brobdingnags what the lilliputians were to him. This new journey however, furthers Gulliver's acceptance and understanding of human nature.
