# Captain Rolando — Gil Blas character guide

> Captain Rolando in Gil Blas by Alain-René Lesage.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Rolando

**First appearance:** 0032-i

## Who they are

A boastful and impoverished old soldier who befriends Gil Blas.

## Relationships

### [Gil Blas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/characters/gil_blas)

_friendship_

Captain Rolando is a friend and mentor figure to Gil Blas, offering guidance and protection during their travels.

### [Gil Blas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/characters/gil_blas)

_friendship_

Captain Rolando is a friend and mentor figure to Gil Blas, offering guidance and protection during their travels.

## In the story

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/book-i)

Leader of the banditti who captures Gil Blas and forces him to serve them.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/iv)

Captain Rolando is the leader of the bandits; he interrogates Gil Blas, assigns him as scullion, and explains the history of the subterranean dwelling.

### [The Arrival of the Banditti in the Subterraneous Retreat, with an Account of Their Pleasant Conversation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/v)

Leader of the banditti; tells the first story of his upbringing as a rich citizen's son who learned gambling and deceit.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/vi)

Apologizes for his life of banditry and goes to bed; later awakens and mocks Gil Blas for his escape attempt.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/vii)

Praises Gil Blas's wit and humor, and proposes that Gil Blas be allowed to join the gang on a robbery.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/viii)

Captain Rolando assigns Gil Blas the task of robbing the friar and later praises his performance, predicting he will become an accomplished highwayman.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/ix)

Leads the banditti, orders the attack, threatens Gil Blas, and is the first to approach the captured lady.

### [The Lady's Treatment from the Robbers—The Vent of the Great Design, Conceived by Gil Blas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/x)

Leads the banditti, orders the lady to be left in Leonarda's care, and departs for Mansilla with the others.

### [The History of Doña Mencía de Mosquera](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/xi)

Leader of the banditti who attacked Don Alvar and his party.

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/book-ii)

Leader of the banditti who captures Gil Blas.

### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/book-iii)

Leader of the banditti who captures Gil Blas.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/ii)

Former bandit leader now an alguazil; recounts his capture, pardon, and attempts to recruit Gil Blas for a new gang.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/characters/captain_rolando
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/characters