# Isagani — El Filibusterismo character guide > Isagani in El Filibusterismo by José Rizal. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Señor Isagani, the poet Isagani, Poor Isagani **First appearance:** 0015-xiii-the-class-in-physics ## Snapshot A poet and student leader who goes to the theater to screen a play for his sweetheart and finds her in his rival's company instead. ## Who they are Isagani loves Paulita Gomez with the whole ardor of an idealist, and the theater night turns that ardor into jealousy, humiliation, and a wish to see the whole building fall. While his friends plan and congratulate themselves, he sits cold, hearing the waltz as a dirge. His private wound and his public hopes pull in different directions, making him the novel's most exposed nerve of youthful feeling. ## Relationships ### [Padre Irene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/padre_irene) _rivalry_ Isagani clashes with Padre Irene over educational reforms and the control of the students' academy. ### [Paulita Gomez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/paulita_gomez) _romantic_ Isagani is deeply in love with Paulita, but she ultimately rejects him for a wealthier suitor. ### [Basilio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/basilio) _friendship_ Basilio and Isagani are close friends and fellow students who share ideals and support each other. ### [Juanito Pelaez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/juanito_pelaez) _rivalry_ Isagani and Juanito Pelaez are rivals for Paulita Gomez's affection and social standing. ### [Simoun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/simoun) _psychological_ Simoun attempts to recruit Isagani for his revolution, but Isagani remains idealistic and resistant to violence. ### [Doña Victorina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/dona_victorina) _social_ Doña Victorina dismisses Isagani as a poor suitor for Paulita, preferring the wealthier Juanito. ### [Padre Irene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/padre_irene) _rivalry_ Isagani clashes with Padre Irene over educational reforms and the control of the students' academy. ### [Padre Irene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/padre_irene) _rivalry_ Isagani clashes with Padre Irene over educational reforms and the control of the students' academy. ### [Basilio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/basilio) _friendship_ Basilio and Isagani are close friends and fellow students who share ideals and support each other. ### [Doña Victorina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/dona_victorina) _social_ Doña Victorina dismisses Isagani as a poor suitor for Paulita, preferring the wealthier Juanito. ### [Paulita Gomez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/paulita_gomez) _romantic_ Isagani is deeply in love with Paulita, but she ultimately rejects him for a wealthier suitor. ### [Basilio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/basilio) _friendship_ Basilio and Isagani are close friends and fellow students who share ideals and support each other. ## In the story ### [El Filibusterismo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/el-filibusterismo) An idealistic poet and student involved in the petition for the Academy of Castilian. ### [On the Lower Deck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/ii-on-the-lower-deck) Defends his provincial pride against Simoun's insults, delivers a metaphor about water and revolution, and is called away by his uncle. ### [Los Baños](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xi-los-ba-os) Named as a student involved in the petition, described as a poorly balanced head and a pupil of Padre Fernandez. ### [XII: Plácido Penitente](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xii-pl-cido-penitente) Explaining refraction of light to a companion, he is visibly affected by Paulita Gomez's arrival. ### [In the House of the Students](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xiv-in-the-house-of-the-students) Optimistic student who volunteers to approach Señor Pasta using decent methods rather than relying on dancing girls. ### [XV: Señor Pasta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xv-se-or-pasta) Visits Señor Pasta to seek support for the students' petition; argues passionately for the cause but is ultimately dismissed. ### [The Quiapo Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xvii-the-quiapo-fair) Paulita's sweetheart, who appears disgusted by the stares his girlfriend receives and annoyed by her smiles to others. ### [Manila Types](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxi-manila-types) Part of Makaraig's group at the theater. ### [The Performance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxii-the-performance) Distraught upon seeing Paulita with Juanito Pelaez; he remains cold and unsmiling, lost in jealous thoughts. ### [Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxiv-dreams) Walks along the Malecon, melancholic about Paulita and reflecting on colonial oppression and the fate of islanders resisting foreign invasion. ### [Smiles and Tears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxv-smiles-and-tears) Present at the banquet; bored by Pecson's speech, he suggests eating instead. He also reacts to the news of being watched. ### [The Friar and the Filipino](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxvii-the-friar-and-the-filipino) Engages in a deep debate with Padre Fernandez about education and social reform, then proceeds to the Civil Government to join the protest. ### [XXVIII: Tatakut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxviii-tatakut) Reported to have surrendered voluntarily to authorities, facing likely execution. ### [The High Official](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxi-the-high-official) Isagani is the last student freed, only after Padre Florentino arrives in Manila. ### [Effect of the Pasquinades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxii-effect-of-the-pasquinades) Passes only in the subject under Padre Fernandez, is suspended in others, and loses Paulita Gomez to Juanito Pelaez. ### [The Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-wedding) Mentioned as having disappeared that morning; Basilio thinks of him as a friend who would not participate in the plot. ### [The Fiesta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxv-the-fiesta) Found by Basilio staring at the house where Paulita is; refuses to leave despite Basilio's warning about the bomb, saying he wants to see her for the last time. ### [The Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-mystery) Present at the Orenda house, listens gloomily to Chichoy's story, smiles enigmatically, and later leaves to return to his uncle. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxix-conclusion) Mentioned as having written to Padre Florentino about Don Tiburcio's situation; his misanthropy worries his uncle. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/endnotes) Mentioned in Retana's note regarding a dialogue where Isagani tells truths to the friars. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/isagani - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters