Who is the protagonist of Gulliver's Travels?

The protagonist of "Gulliver's Travels" is Lemuel Gulliver. He is the central character whose adventures drive the narrative of the story. As a surgeon and sea captain, Gulliver travels to various fantastical lands, providing the readers with perspectives on society, human nature, and culture through his experiences with different civilizations, such as the Lilliputians and the Brobdingnagians. His journey not only serves as a vehicle for satire but also reflects on the complexities of life and governance.

The other characters mentioned do play roles in the narrative but do not embody the journey or the thematic explorations that Gulliver represents. Emperor Morfacius is a ruler in one of the lands Gulliver visits but does not serve as the main character. Captain Smith is not a significant figure in the story, while Lord Flimnap is a minor character associated with the political intrigue in Lilliput. Therefore, Lemuel Gulliver is unequivocally the protagonist, as his character drives the plot and engages with the novel's critical commentary.