# Simoun — El Filibusterismo character guide > Simoun in El Filibusterismo by José Rizal. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Señor Simoun, the jeweler Simoun, A Corpse Simoun **First appearance:** 0003-i-on-the-upper-deck ## Snapshot A jeweler who returns to Manila after thirteen years abroad, moving through colonial drawing rooms with a fortune in gems and a design no one suspects. ## Who they are Simoun moves easily among friars, officials, and journalists, yet goes motionless and thoughtful when the old story of a hunted fugitive is retold on the river. He is wealth, influence, and buried grievance in one polished surface, and the men around him read only the surface. His presence quietly reframes the novel's questions about who profits from the colony and who pays for it. ## Relationships ### [Basilio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/basilio) _psychological_ Simoun manipulates Basilio into joining his revolutionary plans, exploiting Basilio's grief and desire for justice. ### [Quiroga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/quiroga) _professional_ Quiroga, a Chinese merchant, is a business associate of Simoun, who uses him to smuggle weapons. ### [Padre Irene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/padre_irene) _professional_ Padre Irene collaborates with Simoun in political and financial schemes, though their alliance is one of convenience. ### [Plácido Penitente](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/placido_penitente) _psychological_ Simoun recruits Plácido Penitente for his revolution, preying on his disillusionment with the colonial system. ### [Cabesang Tales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/cabesang_tales) _psychological_ Simoun manipulates Cabesang Tales, a peasant driven to banditry, using his anger against the friars. ### [Isagani](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/isagani) _psychological_ Simoun attempts to recruit Isagani for his revolution, but Isagani remains idealistic and resistant to violence. ### [Quiroga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/quiroga) _professional_ Quiroga, a Chinese merchant, is a business associate of Simoun, who uses him to smuggle weapons. ### [Basilio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/basilio) _psychological_ Simoun manipulates Basilio into joining his revolutionary plans, exploiting Basilio's grief and desire for justice. ### [Padre Irene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/padre_irene) _professional_ Padre Irene collaborates with Simoun in political and financial schemes, though their alliance is one of convenience. ### [Basilio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/basilio) _psychological_ Simoun manipulates Basilio into joining his revolutionary plans, exploiting Basilio's grief and desire for justice. ### [Cabesang Tales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/cabesang_tales) _psychological_ Simoun manipulates Cabesang Tales, a peasant driven to banditry, using his anger against the friars. ### [Padre Irene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/padre_irene) _professional_ Padre Irene collaborates with Simoun in political and financial schemes, though their alliance is one of convenience. ## In the story ### [El Filibusterismo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/el-filibusterismo) The mysterious jeweler who returns to the Philippines with a hidden agenda to foment revolution. ### [I: On the Upper Deck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/i-on-the-upper-deck) A wealthy jeweler reputed to be the adviser of the Captain-General, he wears blue goggles and a pith helmet. He proposes a radical plan to dig a new canal and fill the old Pasig River. ### [On the Lower Deck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/ii-on-the-lower-deck) Engages Basilio and Isagani in a tense exchange, mocking their province and hinting at revolutionary ideas; leaves after their retorts. ### [Legends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/iii-legends) Simoun steers the conversation toward legends, asking pointed questions that unsettle Padre Salví, and later becomes thoughtful and motionless when Ibarra's death is discussed. ### [A Cochero's Christmas Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/v-a-cochero-s-christmas-eve) Present at Capitan Basilio's house, selling jewels to the curate and alferez. ### [Simoun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/vii-simoun) Reveals his identity as the mysterious stranger from thirteen years ago and his revolutionary plans to combat Spanish oppression. ### [X: Wealth and Want](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/x-wealth-and-want) Arrives at Cabesang Tales' house, displays his jewels, and later discovers his revolver missing, replaced by a note from Tales. ### [Los Baños](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xi-los-ba-os) Arrives at Los Baños and proposes a strange wager to the Captain-General, discussing tulisanes and the need for a new social order. ### [The Tribulations of a Chinese](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xvi-the-tribulations-of-a-chinese) Attends Quiroga's dinner, learns about the bracelets incident, and offers to help collect debts. He later suggests visiting the sphinx exhibition. ### [The Quiapo Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xvii-the-quiapo-fair) The jeweler is mentioned as resembling a British Indian figure in the booth, but he has disappeared unnoticed by the group. ### [XIX: The Fuse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xix-the-fuse) Plagued by doubt and visions of his past victims, he questions his revolutionary path but resolves to continue, believing the end justifies the means. ### [Manila Types](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxi-manila-types) Seen in a carriage giving orders to an officer about a gunshot signal, indicating his involvement in a plot. ### [The Performance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxii-the-performance) His absence from the theater is noted; rumor says the empty seat belongs to him, and he was seen giving a necklace to an actress. ### [A Corpse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxiii-a-corpse) Reveals his revolutionary plan to Basilio, offering him a choice to join or die. He is devastated upon learning of María Clara's death. ### [Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxiv-dreams) Reported to have been taken suddenly ill and refusing visitors. ### [Smiles and Tears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxv-smiles-and-tears) Mentioned as having a mysterious illness or attempted suicide; his carriage is seen outside the pansitería. ### [XXVIII: Tatakut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxviii-tatakut) Refuses to see Quiroga, feigning illness; his absence is noted by those plotting repression. ### [Effect of the Pasquinades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxii-effect-of-the-pasquinades) Recovers his health, becomes uncommunicative, and is rumored to be planning a grand farewell fiesta in partnership with Don Timoteo Pelaez. ### [La Ultima Razón](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxiii-la-ultima-raz-n) Prepares to leave, reveals his bomb plot, and recruits Basilio for the revolution. ### [The Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-wedding) Carries the lamp to the wedding venue, orchestrating the plot. ### [The Fiesta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxv-the-fiesta) Arrives at the fiesta carrying the deadly lamp; ascends the stairs resolutely; later leaves the house, having set the lamp, and orders his cochero to go to the Escolta. ### [Ben-Zayb's Afflictions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxvi-ben-zayb-s-afflictions) Identified as the Spaniard with white hair who allegedly conspired with the tulisanes; his disappearance and discovery of powder and cartridges in his house cause alarm. ### [The Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-mystery) Revealed as the one who placed sacks of powder under the kiosk; has disappeared and is being sought by the Civil Guard. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxix-conclusion) Dying from self-administered poison, he confesses his secret and questions the existence of God before passing away. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/endnotes) Implied through references to the author's first work and the plot; the endnotes discuss the author's experiences that mirror Simoun's story. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/simoun - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters