Gil Blas · Character

Don Alphonso de Leyva

A Castilian nobleman whose honor is as polished as his manners, and whose romantic entanglements keep Gil Blas usefully employed.

supporting

Also known as Alphonso, Señor Don Alphonso, Don Alphonso de Leyva

First appearance: I

As a supporting figure in Gil Blas, Don Alphonso de Leyva is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Reveals his mysterious birth and upbringing, his duel with Don Gaspard, and his love for Seraphina.

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Don Alphonso moves through court and university circles with the ease of good birth, but his reputation for devotion to actresses complicates the picture. When Aurora asks Gil Blas to investigate his character, the report that comes back—honorable yet libertine—forces her to weigh passion against prudence. His presence in the novel embodies the gap between noble ideals and noble behavior, a gap Gil Blas navigates as both servant and confidant.

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See Don Alphonso de Leyva in I

Character Web

24 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Family and Romantic Entanglements
Protagonist
Theatrical and Courtly Love

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this excerpt, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Gil Blas, through the fable of Atalmuc, indi…

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In the story

Don Alphonso de Leyva appears across 18 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The History of Don Alphonso and the Fair Seraphina
XI
II
I
Chapter II
III
I
IV
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The History of Don Alphonso and the Fair Seraphina
Reveals his mysterious birth and upbringing, his duel with Don Gaspard, and his love for Seraphina.
XI
Shares his misfortunes with the hermits; accepts the invitation to join the outlaw band due to his dire circumstances.
II
Leads the charge against the bandits and has a private conversation with Seraphina after the rescue.
I
Left to guard the horses while the others carry out the plan.
Chapter II
Don Alphonso resolves to separate from the knaves, feeling shame and fear of being implicated in their crimes, and proposes they go to Italy to serve the Venetian republic.
III
Falls ill in Buñol, recovers, is revealed as the son of Don Caesar de Leyva, and marries Seraphina.
I
Gil Blas's new master; deeply in love with Seraphina.
IV
Gil Blas reflects on his affection for Don Alphonso and feels a strong desire to return to the castle of Leyva, though he remains with the archbishop.
II
Old master of Gil Blas; Gil Blas procures the government of Valencia for him.
Their doings at Madrid—The rencounter of Gil Blas in the street, and its consequences.
Reunites with Gil Blas, expresses joy, and grants him an estate near Lirias out of gratitude and friendship.
III
Mentioned as the giver of the estate, along with his father Don Caesar.
Chapter IV
Governor of Valencia, warmly welcomes Gil Blas and introduces him to Seraphina and the dinner party.
V
The governor of Valencia; takes Gil Blas to his box at the theatre and hosts the supper party.
VI
Governor of Valencia, to whom Gil Blas relates his meeting with the Carthusian monks.
I
Governor of Valencia; comforts Gil Blas after his loss and advises him to go to Madrid.
II
Provides horses for Gil Blas's journey to Madrid.
Chapter VI
Mentioned as one of the lords of Leyva whom Scipio is to inform of Gil Blas's success.
XII
Arrives in Madrid after losing his governorship of Valencia; is later appointed Viceroy of Aragón through Gil Blas's intervention.

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See Don Alphonso de Leyva in The History of Don Alphonso and the Fair Seraphina