Gil Blas · Character

Don Rodrigo de Calderona

A lackey risen to principal secretary, whose arrogance and corruption make him the most dangerous man in the Duke of Lerma's shadow.

supporting

Also known as Señor Don Rodrigo, Don Rodrigo, Calderona, the haughty Don Rodrigo

First appearance: XII

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

Mentioned in the young freebooter's story as the nobleman whose son was switched at birth.

In the storyThe Arrival of the Banditti in the Subterraneous Retreat, with an Account of Their Pleasant ConversationOpen this moment free

See Don Rodrigo de Calderona in The Arrival of the Banditti in the Subterraneous Retreat, with an Account of Their Pleasant Conversation Book page

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Calderona began as the Duke's servant and climbed to the post of principal secretary, where he now parcels out offices and governments at the whim of his own caprice. Proud as a peacock and shameless as a tax collector, he models and remodels his master's mind like clay, and anyone who wants advancement must first court his favor. He matters because he is the gatekeeper Gil Blas must flatter, and the villain whose ruin Gil Blas may one day help arrange.

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See Don Rodrigo de Calderona in XII

Character Web

19 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Patrons and Companions
Protagonist
Romantic and Domestic Intrigue

+14 more in the full Character Web

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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 Rodrigo de Calderona appears across 16 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Arrival of the Banditti in the Subterraneous Retreat, with an Account of Their Pleasant Conversation
Mentioned in the young freebooter's story as the nobleman whose son was switched at birth.
V
Enraged by the death of his mistress (Camilla) and threatens to kill Gil Blas, prompting Gil Blas to flee Valladolid.
XII
Mentioned as the master of Pedrillo; a powerful figure at court.
I
Officer who superintends the finances of the Duke of Lerma's household.
II
Described by Monteser as a former lackey who rose to principal secretary; said to have great influence over the duke and to dispense offices capriciously.
III
Don Rodrigo is the powerful secretary to the duke; Gil Blas humbles himself before him, offering flattery and seeking his protection.
Gil Blas becomes a favorite with the Duke of Lerma, and the confidant of an important secret.
Mentioned as a potential enemy of Gil Blas, but the Duke assures Gil Blas of his loyalty.
V
Haughty noble who now cap-in-hand to Gil Blas, calling him Señor de Santillane; provides the thousand pistoles for the Prince of Spain.
Chapter VII
Mentioned as a secretary whose influence is sought by clients, but Scipio dissuades Don Roger from approaching him due to his high prices.
Gil Blas makes a large fortune in a short time, and behaves like other wealthy upstarts.
Mentioned as having charge of church preferments like bishoprics and archbishoprics.
The Morals of Gil Blas Become Courtly
Referenced as the duke's usual purveyor of pleasures, whom Gil Blas jokingly declines to supplant.
XII
Former lover of Catalina/Sirena, potential rival to the prince.
II
Secretary who processes the patent; treats suitors with varying degrees of civility and is publicly rebuked by the Count de Pedrosa.
IV
Suspected by Gil Blas as the cause of his imprisonment.
Chapter VII
Identified by Scipio as the instigator of the plot against Gil Blas, seeking revenge for the intrigue involving Sirena and the Prince of Spain.
Gil Blas Ingratiates Himself with the Count of Olivarez
Gil Blas accuses him of corrupt practices and recounts how Calderona caused his imprisonment.

Chapter companion notes

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See Don Rodrigo de Calderona in XII

See Don Rodrigo de Calderona in The Arrival of the Banditti in the Subterraneous Retreat, with an Account of Their Pleasant Conversation