# Don Alphonso de Leyva — Gil Blas character guide

> Don Alphonso de Leyva in Gil Blas by Alain-René Lesage.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## In the story

### [The History of Don Alphonso and the Fair Seraphina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/x)

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

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/xi)

Shares his misfortunes with the hermits; accepts the invitation to join the outlaw band due to his dire circumstances.

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

Leads the charge against the bandits and has a private conversation with Seraphina after the rescue.

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

Left to guard the horses while the others carry out the plan.

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

Falls ill in Buñol, recovers, is revealed as the son of Don Caesar de Leyva, and marries Seraphina.

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

Gil Blas's new master; deeply in love with Seraphina.

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

Reunites with Gil Blas, expresses joy, and grants him an estate near Lirias out of gratitude and friendship.

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

Mentioned as the giver of the estate, along with his father Don Caesar.

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

Governor of Valencia, warmly welcomes Gil Blas and introduces him to Seraphina and the dinner party.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/v)

The governor of Valencia; takes Gil Blas to his box at the theatre and hosts the supper party.

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

Governor of Valencia, to whom Gil Blas relates his meeting with the Carthusian monks.

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

Governor of Valencia; comforts Gil Blas after his loss and advises him to go to Madrid.

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

Provides horses for Gil Blas's journey to Madrid.

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

Mentioned as one of the lords of Leyva whom Scipio is to inform of Gil Blas's success.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/xii)

Arrives in Madrid after losing his governorship of Valencia; is later appointed Viceroy of Aragón through Gil Blas's intervention.

## Links

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