# Calyste du Guénic — Béatrix character guide

> Calyste du Guénic in Béatrix by Honoré de Balzac.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Gaudebert, Charles, Monsieur Calyste, Calyste of Camille

**First appearance:** 0001-b-atrix

## Who they are

Young Breton nobleman, central character torn between love and duty.

## Relationships

### [Béatrix de Rochefide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters/beatrix_de_rochefide)

_romantic_

Calyste is hopelessly infatuated with Béatrix, who manipulates his affections while remaining emotionally unavailable.

### [Sabine du Guénic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters/sabine_du_guenic)

_family_

Calyste and Sabine are married, though their relationship is strained by Calyste's obsession with Béatrix.

### [Claude Vignon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters/claude_vignon)

_friendship_

Claude Vignon acts as a cynical confidant and intellectual companion to the naive Calyste.

### [Madame Schontz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters/madame_schontz)

_friendship_

Madame Schontz is a kind and pragmatic friend to Calyste, often advising him against his destructive obsession.

### [Charlotte de Kergarouët](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters/charlotte_de_kergarouet)

_family_

Charlotte is Calyste's cousin, and their relationship is one of familial affection and mild romantic possibility.

### [Gennaro Conti](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters/gennaro_conti)

_rivalry_

Calyste and Gennaro Conti are romantic rivals, both vying for Béatrix's love.

### [Baronne du Guénic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters/baronne_du_guenic)

_family_

The Baronne is Calyste's devoted mother, deeply concerned about his well-being and his disastrous infatuation.

### [Thisbe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters/thisbe)

_friendship_

Thisbe is Calyste's loyal dog, a constant and affectionate companion to him.

### [Gasselin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters/gasselin)

_professional_

Gasselin is Calyste's loyal servant and valet, attending to his daily needs.

### [Béatrix de Rochefide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters/beatrix_de_rochefide)

_romantic_

Calyste is hopelessly infatuated with Béatrix, who manipulates his affections while remaining emotionally unavailable.

### [Béatrix de Rochefide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters/beatrix_de_rochefide)

_romantic_

Calyste is hopelessly infatuated with Béatrix, who manipulates his affections while remaining emotionally unavailable.

### [Claude Vignon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters/claude_vignon)

_friendship_

Claude Vignon acts as a cynical confidant and intellectual companion to the naive Calyste.

## In the story

### [Béatrix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/chapters/b-atrix)

Shows signs of being deeply affected by Béatrix's presence, foreshadowing his future obsession.

### [Part I: Dramatis Personae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/chapters/part-i-dramatis-personae)

The innocent and passionate young Breton nobleman, deeply in love with Béatrix and tormented by his feelings.

### [Part II: The Drama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/chapters/part-ii-the-drama)

Deeply in love with Béatrix, he experiences both ecstasy and despair as his devotion is tested.

### [Part III: Retrospective Adultery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/chapters/part-iii-retrospective-adultery)

Married to Sabine but still passionately obsessed with Béatrix; visits her in Paris and is drawn back to her at the opera.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters/calyste_du_guenic
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/characters