# Captain Bluntschli — Arms and the Man character guide

> Captain Bluntschli in Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Bluntschli, Bluntschli True, Bluntschli Astonished, Bluntschli Who, Bluntschli Rising

**First appearance:** 0001-arms-and-the-man

## Snapshot

A Swiss mercenary who has learned that soldiers mostly hear lies and get saved by strangers, and who would rather discuss chocolate than glory.

## Who they are

Bluntschli enters Raina's room as a starving, mud-spattered fugitive with a revolver and no illusions about war. Practical, unromantic, and quietly amused, he punctures her heroic vocabulary while depending on her secrecy to survive. His return as a competent soldier of business forces Raina, Sergius, and the whole Petkoff household to reckon with what competence and honesty actually look like.

## Relationships

### [Raina Petkoff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/raina_petkoff)

_romantic_

A pragmatic Swiss soldier and a romantic Bulgarian woman who initially clash but develop a deep, honest affection that overcomes her illusions.

### [Sergius Saranoff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/sergius_saranoff)

_rivalry_

Professional soldiers with opposing views on war and honor, they become romantic rivals for Raina's affection, though they maintain a grudging respect.

### [Louka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/louka)

_friendship_

A pragmatic and candid rapport; Bluntschli treats Louka with respect and sees through her schemes, often acting as a confidant.

### [Nicola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/nicola)

_professional_

A businesslike mutual respect between two practical men; Nicola assists Bluntschli with logistics and they share a no-nonsense understanding.

### [Catherine Petkoff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/catherine_petkoff)

_social_

Initially a stranger and intruder, Bluntschli earns Catherine's grudging respect through his practicality and honesty, though she remains wary.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/captain_bluntschli
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters