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Cacofonix
Assurancetourix

Cacofonix

Nationality
First appearance

Cacofonix (French: Assurancetourix, in some translations Malacoustix or Stopthemusix) is a fictional bard, who lived in 50 BC. He was created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. His English name is a pun on the word, "cacophony". His French name, "Assurancetourix", is a pun for "comprehensive insurance".

Debut in the Series[]

Cacofonix first appears in the first book, "Asterix the Gaul", where Vitalstatistix is making a speech, and Obelix complains that he is too weak to deliver menhirs, when Asterix warns them both that Cacofonix is coming. Cacofonix claims that he will now give them a song to inspire the warriors with courage. Asterix, Obelix and Vitalstatistix quickly come up with excuses to leave, and Cacofonix calls them barbarians for not appreciating his art. Everyone avoids Cacofonix, because he loves to make music, but he is appallingly bad at singing and playing the lyre. He even causes storms, when he performs. However, everyone tolerates Cacofonix, when he is quiet. Fulliautomatix is always ready to whack him on the head with whatever he has to make him stop singing.

Changes in Appearance[]

Cacofonix' appearance changes throughout the books. In the first book ("Asterix the Gaul") Cacofonix has a blue cape, completely blue shirt, blue trousers, and even blue hair! Later on during the book his hair becomes blonde. In the second book ("Asterix and the Golden Sickle") Cacofonix changes very little, the only difference is that he now has white hair, white cape, and white trousers. However at the very end of the book his hair swaps to blonde, and this is the way it will stay for the rest of the books. In ("Asterix and the Goths") the third book we see the self-confident bard with a green shirt instead of his usual blue (until Asterix and the Normans he will be with a green-white shirt). The fourth book ("Asterix the Gladiator") is a very special book to him not only that this is the first book to concentrate on him, but his cape has now changed to red and his hairstyle now bares similarity to Elvis Presley! In the fifth book ("Asterix and the Banquet") his cape is white again. In "Asterix and Cleopatra" (the sixth book) nothing special happens, his appearance is the same: a red cape, a green-white shirt, white trousers and blonde hairstyle. The same story in "Asterix and the Big Fight" (the seventh book), no changes. However in "Asterix in Britain" (the eight book) he suffers a step back, his blonde hair is now red (for the first time it is probably a mistake)! "Asterix and the Normans" (the ninth book) brings out the a fully changed Cacofonix, he now looks (and shall remain the same to this day) completely like Elvis: blue-white shirt (replaces the old green-white one), trousers and blonde hair.

Trivia[]

  • In the 3D movies, the color of the electricity that crackles around Cacofonix when he drinks the magic potion is purple.
  • In Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods, Cacofonix is a fishmonger.
  • There are very few people who like Cacofonix's singing. Getafix did, when he lost his memory, however that is not considered as counting due to Getafix being crazy at the time.
  • Cacofonix does appear to get on better with younger people who enjoy his music, a possible reference to younger people enjoying loud rock 'nd roll. These included: Justforkix (in Asterix and the Normans) who actually encouraged Cacofonix to think seriously about moving to Lutetia where he claimed the bard's way with music would be enjoyed; Pepe (in Asterix in Spain) liked it because it reminded him of home (the goats bleating in his village); and Princess Orinjade (in Asterix and the Magic Carpet) expressed similar enthusiasm, though it was perhaps in gratitude for his music having saved her from being sacrificed. Similarly, the village youths express a liking for his unconventional music in Asterix and the Chieftain's Daughter. Cacofonix can even be seen flirting with young Influenza (in Asterix and Caesar's Gift) during the final banquet.
  • Cacofonix rarely fights. He's just as fond of bashing Romans in Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods as the others, and he fights Fulliautomatix in a village fight in Asterix and the Roman Agent.
  • Cacofonix, Getafix, and Asterix are the only Gauls to never be fooled by Convulvus in Asterix and the Roman Agent. However, Cacofonix does retaliate against Fulliautomatix.
  • In Asterix the Gaul and Asterix and the Normans, Cacofonix is permitted to sing. In Asterix the Gaul, his music is actually appreciated on one occasion.
  • In Asterix in Britain, his hair is erroneously red.
  • Despite being listed as one of the major characters, Cacofonix becomes more and more minor comic relief as the series goes on.
  • The person (or dog) who likes his singing least is Dogmatix.
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