Comprehensive Characterization of Aslaksen

Character Trait:  MANIPULATIVE.
Aslaksen, the man who prints The People’s Messenger also gives them other financial favors. He therefore, by his privileged financial position takes controls, of the paper. In fact some people in the town consider that the people’s messenger is owned by Aslaksen,
When Hovstad and Billing consider getting rid of Aslaksen, who apparently would impede the printing of Dr. Stockmann’s paper, they find out that there isn’t anybody in the town who would offer them the privileges. Aslaksen points out to Hovstad: ‘Mr. Stensgaard was your predecessor at that editorial desk. He used to be sheriff.’ This, even said with a smile is threat enough to warn Hovstad of the consequences of rebelling against him.
Aslaksen, therefore manipulates Hovstad’s reaction to Dr, Stockmann and Peter Stockmann’s views. His manipulative ability is enhanced by his financial position while it is being motivated by some personal interest he is protecting of which he says: “When a man has solid interests of his own to protect, he cannot think of everything.”
Aslaksen does not manipulate the people’s messenger only, we find him skillfully manipulating the crowd that attends Dr. Stockmann’s meeting. Before the lecture started, we find him saying: I suggest we elect a chairman first. This is in the pretence that the lecture may read to divergent opinions.

In the ensuing discussion at the lecture, Aslaksen turns the public against Dr. Stockmann making it almost impossible for him to give the lecture peacefully.
In another dimension, Aslaksen is trusted by the householders association. He therefore uses this trust to pit them against Dr. Stockmann. He is able to make all of them refuse to house Dr. Stockmann or even give any kind of work.

Character Trait: INCONSISTENT
As is the case with Hovstad and Billings, Aslaksen is a very inconsistent character. He is quoted in (pg 28 to have said “Oh, it may be very desirable, all the same. I know our local authorities so well, they are never over anxious to adopt suggestions that come from, other people.  That is why I think it would not be at all a miss if we organize a little demonstration” This he says to Dr. Stockmann. About the same local authorities, he says in (Pg 50) “My heart is still with the people, but I don’t deny that I have a certain bias towards the authorities the local ones, I mean.” Asked if he would support Dr. Stockmann in (pg 64) Aslaksen says “Not me, Doctor”
Up, to that point, we are not surprised that Aslaksen has changed his opinion about the baths. Probably he had not understood it all. But the audience is quite taken aback when he declares in (pg 103). Well, the fact is that, now we know things as they really are, we think we might venture to put the people’s messenger at your disposal. This clearly changes the opinion about Aslaksen. He is just like any animal that must fight for survival and get its food whenever it can.

Aslaksen’s support for either party in the struggle between Dr. Stockmann and Peter Stockmann is not on principle basis.  He does it on purpose, either preserving his interest or finding new grounds for exploitation.  His inconsistency is cleverly covered up in h is cry for moderation. He even wants Dr. Stockmann to be moderate while forcing him out of his compound!.

Character Trait:TIMID / FEARFUL
The dictionary meaning of timid is: easily frightened. Fear in the same vein is defined as distress or alarm caused by impending danger or pain. An Enemy of the People is in one level a conflict between this brothers Peter and Thomas Stockmann, and in another level, a conflict between their different ideologies. Conflicts commonly defined as disagreements, struggles or fights have instilled such distress in the affected people like Aslaksen.
A brief exchange of words between Hovstad and Dr. Stockmann throws some fight in Aslaksen’s character IN (pg 30) we find them saying:
Hovstad: Well, what do you think of that, Doctor? Don’t you think it is high time we stirred a little life into all this slackness and vacillation and cowardice?
Dr. Stockmann : Are you referring to Aslaksen ?
Hovstad: Yes, I am. He is one of those who are floundering in a swamp decent enough fellows he may   be otherwise. And most of the people here are just like that. See sawing and edging first to one side and then to another so overcome with caution and scruple that they never take any proper step forward
 Hovstad’s statement, which is a perfect foreshadow of what happens to himself and Billing also describes Aslaksen as coward. 

Considering that Hovstad may have interacted with Aslaksen in the past, his statements may be considered to carry weight and his analysis of Aslaksen’s behavior as authoritative.
A more direct analysis of Aslaksen timidity is signaled by Billing who say to Aslaksen in (Pg 49) You are you are so infernally timid, Aslaksen!
It   is however not until when we meet Aslaken in act 5 that we see his cowardice. Threatened by Dr. Stockman with an umbrella, Aslaksen calls out for help frightened and sneaks out.
Aslaksen’s timidity is somehow covered by his insistence on moderation. He therefore portrays himself as a highly principled person and this gives him headway to become a leader in the temperance society and the householders’ association.