Candide · Character
The Grand Inquisitor
A Portuguese church official who claims Cunégonde as his mistress and is killed by Candide.
minor
First appearance: IX: What Became of Cunégonde, Candide, the Grand Inquisitor, and the Jew
The Grand Inquisitor shows up with force in V: Tempest, Shipwreck, Earthquake, and What Became of Doctor Pangloss, Candide, and James the Anabaptist. The page is where that presence becomes real.
Appears as a Familiar of the Inquisition who questions Pangloss about original sin and free will.
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In V: Tempest, Shipwreck, Earthquake, and What Became of Doctor Pangloss, Candide, and James the Anabaptist: Appears as a Familiar of the Inquisition who questions Pangloss about original sin and free will. Later, in…
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The fuller portrait of The Grand Inquisitor sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See The Grand Inquisitor in IX: What Became of Cunégonde, Candide, the Grand Inquisitor, and the JewCharacter Web
7 connectionsA slice of how The Grand Inquisitor sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Candide's core companions
- Protagonist
- Encounters and reflections
+2 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this scene, Candide reaches his emotional and psychological peak of disillusionment when he encounters Poco…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingIn the story
The Grand Inquisitor appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- V: Tempest, Shipwreck, Earthquake, and What Became of Doctor Pangloss, Candide, and James the Anabaptist
- VIII: The History of Cunégonde
- IX: What Became of Cunégonde, Candide, the Grand Inquisitor, and the Jew
- XIII: How Candide Was Forced Away from His Fair Cunégonde and the Old Woman
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for The Grand Inquisitor unlock in the free preview.
See The Grand Inquisitor in IX: What Became of Cunégonde, Candide, the Grand Inquisitor, and the Jew