Editing Edmund Blackadder (section)

== Common characteristics ==
Each Blackadder is positioned in a different place in British society over each series, with the character mostly falling in social rank through history. He moves from a prince (''[[The Black Adder]]'') to a lord (''[[Blackadder II]]''), a knight/baronet (''[[Blackadder: The Cavalier Years]]''), a royal attendant (''[[Blackadder the Third]]''), a shopkeeper (''[[Blackadder's Christmas Carol]]'', named Ebeneezer Blackadder), to an army captain (''[[Blackadder Goes Forth]]''). Throughout each series, Blackadder is a self-serving, cynical opportunist concerned solely with increasing his own influence, status and wealth. His character is symbolised by the [[Vipera berus|adder]], the only venomous snake native to Great Britain,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/adder | title = Adder | publisher = Forestry Commission | access-date = 29 June 2015}}</ref> which sometimes appears in the series as a visual motif.

With the exception of the first Blackadder incarnation, Prince Edmund, each is generally [[Cynicism (contemporary)|cynical]], charismatic and intelligent. While he is haunted by bad luck, he is usually very capable of manipulating his way out of a crisis and in securing for himself some degree of prestige and fortune. Blackadder is also usually one of the few intelligent people present at any given time and is usually surrounded by incompetent, slow-witted servants, equals and superiors. As a result, he possesses an acerbic wit and is usually prepared with numerous quick put-downs, which are often wasted on those at whom they are directed.

He is frequently present at some of the defining moments of British history, but usually views his contemporaries with unbridled contempt, regardless of their historical importance or interest. He is also generally dismissive of the contemporary arts and culture in the various eras in which he lives, such as medieval folk pageants, [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]], [[Romanticism|Romanticist]] poetry, and [[Charlie Chaplin]] films.

Each Blackadder is also surrounded by various other figures who reappear over the series. These include his manservant [[Baldrick]] ([[Tony Robinson]]) and the various imbecilic aristocrats with whose company he is lumbered, such as [[Lord Percy Percy]] ([[Tim McInnerny]]) and [[George (Blackadder)|George]] ([[Hugh Laurie]]).