# John Johnson — Don Juan character guide

> John Johnson in Don Juan by Lord Byron.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Johnson, LXXV John Johnson, Up Johnson

**First appearance:** 0012-canto-vii

## Snapshot

A hard-drinking, hard-fighting British soldier whose bluff camaraderie gives Juan a taste of war, friendship, and the absurdity of dying well.

## Who they are

Johnson is a seasoned campaigner who attaches himself to Juan during the siege of Ismail, trading quips and brandy between volleys. His easy courage and unpretentious humor stand in sharp contrast to the poem's aristocrats and sultans, and his fate at the walls gives Byron one of his bluntest meditations on glory. Through him, Juan learns what soldiering actually costs, not what the dispatches claim.

## Relationships

### [Don Juan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/don_juan_se/characters/don_juan)

_friendship_

John Johnson is a fellow English traveler and soldier who befriends Don Juan during his adventures in Russia.

### [Suwarrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/don_juan_se/characters/suwarrow)

_professional_

John Johnson serves as a fellow officer under General Suwarrow during the Russian military campaign.

### [Suwarrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/don_juan_se/characters/suwarrow)

_professional_

John Johnson serves as a fellow officer under General Suwarrow during the Russian military campaign.

### [Suwarrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/don_juan_se/characters/suwarrow)

_professional_

John Johnson serves as a fellow officer under General Suwarrow during the Russian military campaign.

### [Don Juan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/don_juan_se/characters/don_juan)

_friendship_

John Johnson is a fellow English traveler and soldier who befriends Don Juan during his adventures in Russia.

## In the story

### [Canto V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/don_juan_se/chapters/canto-v)

An Englishman captured while serving with the Russian army; he befriends Juan in the slave market.

### [Canto VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/don_juan_se/chapters/canto-viii)

A clever and experienced soldier who retreats strategically and later fights alongside Juan.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/don_juan_se/characters/john_johnson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/don_juan_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/don_juan_se/characters