# Hans Meyrick — Daniel Deronda character guide

> Hans Meyrick in Daniel Deronda by George Eliot.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hans, Meyrick, Hans Meyrick, poor Hans

**First appearance:** 0021-xvi

## Snapshot

A witty, gifted painter and Deronda's devoted friend, whose charm and artistic ambition keep the Meyrick household laughing even as his future hangs on a fellowship.

## Who they are

Hans Meyrick is the light-haired, Gavarni-sketching son of the Meyrick family, torn between the security of his Cambridge fellowship and his yearning for art. His affectionate teasing and self-deprecating humor mask real stakes: he must eventually choose between income and vocation. As Deronda's closest friend, he offers warmth and irreverent perspective on Deronda's grave preoccupations, and his family's modest, generous world becomes one of the novel's moral touchstones.

## Relationships

### [Daniel Deronda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/daniel_deronda)

_friendship_

Hans is Daniel's close college friend, though his unrequited love for Mirah creates occasional tension.

### [Mirah Lapidoth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/mirah_lapidoth)

_romantic_

Hans is hopelessly in love with Mirah, but she does not return his feelings, leading to unrequited affection.

### [Daniel Deronda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/daniel_deronda)

_friendship_

Hans is Daniel's close college friend, though his unrequited love for Mirah creates occasional tension.

### [Mirah Lapidoth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/mirah_lapidoth)

_romantic_

Hans is hopelessly in love with Mirah, but she does not return his feelings, leading to unrequited affection.

### [Mirah Lapidoth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/mirah_lapidoth)

_romantic_

Hans is hopelessly in love with Mirah, but she does not return his feelings, leading to unrequited affection.

### [Daniel Deronda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/daniel_deronda)

_friendship_

Hans is Daniel's close college friend, though his unrequited love for Mirah creates occasional tension.

## In the story

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xvi)

Deronda's friend at Cambridge, who wins a prize thanks to Deronda's help. He writes to Sir Hugo to explain Deronda's sacrifice.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxii)

Deronda worries that Hans might upset Mirah's situation; Hans is planning to get a studio in London.

### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Returns home, entertains the family with character pieces, and works on a Berenice painting series using Mirah as model.

### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxix)

Expresses romantic interest in Mirah; argues against her wearing a theatrical costume, insisting she dress as a lady for her public appearance.

### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xlv)

Hans teases Deronda about his conversation with Gwendolen and admires her beauty.

### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xlvii)

Expresses jealousy and resentment about Mordecai's arrival, fearing it will spoil their home and Mirah's art.

### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/l)

Hans is mentioned as a recipient of Deronda's letters during his wait in Genoa.

### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxi)

Hans observes Mirah's distress and interprets her anger as a sign of her feelings for Deronda, while he himself harbors hopes of winning her affection.

### [LXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxvii)

Appears worn and wizened; admits to smoking opium; reveals to Deronda that Mirah loves him, leading to a tense but honest exchange.

### [LXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxviii)

Mentioned as having assured Deronda that Mirah needs relief from jealousy.

### [Chapter LXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxix)

Installed at Diplow with his easel; feigns vivacity but feels irritation and sore reflection upon learning of Deronda's secret rivalry and reserve.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/hans_meyrick
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters