# Sergius Saranoff — Arms and the Man character guide

> Sergius Saranoff in Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Major Saranoff, Major Sergius Saranoff, Major, Sergius, Saranoff, Sergius Grimly, Sergius Flushing, Sergius Striding, Sergius Ironically, Sergius False, Sergius Grinning, Sergius Recoiling, Sergius Gravely, Sergius Withdraw, Sergius Starting, Sergius No

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

## Snapshot

A dashing Bulgarian major who led a cavalry charge into enemy guns and now must live up to the legend he never quite earned.

## Who they are

Sergius is betrothed to Raina and adored by the whole household as the embodiment of Byronic heroism, but he suspects his own glory is theatrical. He chafes against Bluntschli's unglamorous efficiency and drifts toward Louka, whose frank contempt for his posing unsettles him. His crisis of honor and desire exposes the gap between the romance everyone performs and the people they actually are.

## Relationships

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

_romantic_

Engaged couple whose relationship is based on romantic ideals and social expectations, but ultimately fades as Raina's true feelings shift to Bluntschli.

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

_romantic_

A flirtatious and ambitious affair where Louka uses her wit and boldness to attract Sergius away from Raina, leading to a secret engagement.

### [Captain Bluntschli](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/captain_bluntschli)

_rivalry_

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

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

_social_

Catherine approves of Sergius as a suitable match for her daughter due to his noble status and military heroism, but later becomes disillusioned.

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

_professional_

Servant and master; Nicola serves Sergius with careful deference while secretly aware of Sergius's affair with Louka.

### [Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/paul)

_social_

Father-in-law and son-in-law-to-be; Major Petkoff admires Sergius's military reputation but is oblivious to his romantic entanglements.

## Links

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