Pwyll

Pwyll (Pooy-ll ), whose name means "wisdom" or "caution", was the first hero to be introduced to The Mabinogion during the First Branch. He was prince of Dyfed, a kingdom of Wales, and was also known as "Pwyll Pen Annwfn" because of his time spent ruling the Celtic Otherworld, Annwfn, in place of his friend, Arawn. He would come to marry Rhiannon, who sought him out and asked him to marry her, after almost losing her to Gwawl, only succeeding thanks to the cunning wits of his would-be wife and her plan to trap Gwawl in her magical, bottomless bag. After marriage, they have a son who disappears in the night and those on watch blame Rhiannon as a murderer and Rhiannon is punished with carrying any man or woman on her back that enters Arberth. The boy is eventually found by Teyrnon Twrf Liant and eventually returned to the unhappy couple, freeing Rhiannon from unearned punishment and the boy was named Pryderi, who would go on to become a great hero of Britain. Pwyll appears to be a very courteous and generous man, but also easily led by those around him. Particularly, Rhiannon is intelligent and forceful and leads her husband, until she is belittled by the noblemen and framed by the women who watched over their son.

Character
Pwyll largely appears to be a follower, rather than a leader. Simple-minded, but good-natured, honest, generous and kind. He consistently follows the plans of others, first of Arawn, then of Rhiannon more than once. His early rule over Dyfed was considered inferior to the rule that Arawn had performed in Pwyll's stead, bringing Pwyll to agree to follow the example that Arawn had set rather than rule by his own virtues. In complete contrast to him, Rhiannon demonstrates great intelligence and cunning in her manners and her ability to plan and advice her husband. It was she that asked him to marry her and defied her father's intent. He also constantly listens to the advice of his noblemen, who demonstrate great loyalty and love for him, even against his better judgement. Pwyll demonstrates his masculine prowess through his physical activities, hunting and hiking, and, especially, his mortal blow in combat against Hafgan.

Pwyll and Arawn
 Main article: First Branch of the Mabinogi