# Melchior Zapata — Gil Blas character guide

> Melchior Zapata in Gil Blas by Alain-René Lesage.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Zapata, Melchior

**First appearance:** 0031-book-iii

## Who they are

A poor poet and friend of Gil Blas, always seeking patronage.

## In the story

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

A strolling actor who shares his meal and his tale of woe, including his failed Madrid debut and his chaste wife.

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

Old valet-de-chambre to the Archbishop; advises Gil Blas on the true characters of the household.

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

Mentioned as a recipient of the archbishop's bounty through Gil Blas's intercession.

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

The old valet-de-chambre who advises Gil Blas to bear the affront quietly and recommends his nephew Joseph Navarro in Madrid.

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

A poor strolling player whom Gil Blas had previously met; now an actor in the Grenada company, he recounts his wife's change in character.

### [A Thunderbolt to Gil Blas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/xi)

Warns Gil Blas of the impending danger from his wife Narcissa's discovery of Gil Blas's past.

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

Gil Blas recalls his promise to visit Melchior's nephew, Joseph Navarro, which leads to his new position.

## Links

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