# The Duke — The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn character guide

> The Duke in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bilgewater

**First appearance:** 0020-xviii

## Snapshot

A shabby con artist who claims noble blood and teams with the King to swindle river towns, playing deaf-mute and grieving brother with equal nerve.

## Who they are

He joins Huck and Jim's raft as a self-styled Duke of Bilgewater, lending the King a partner in fraud and giving the voyage a new, uneasy cast. His vanity and quick invention make him both comic and dangerous, especially when he and the King turn their schemes on trusting strangers. Huck must navigate their escalating cons while keeping Jim safe from their casual cruelty.

## In the story

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xix)

A young man who claims to be the rightful Duke of Bridgewater; demands to be addressed as 'Your Grace' or 'My Lord.'

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xx)

Prints a handbill describing Jim as a runaway slave; devises a plan for daytime travel; works at a printing office.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxi)

Directs rehearsals, prints show bills, and teaches the King his parts.

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxii)

After the poor show attendance, creates handbills for 'The Royal Nonesuch' with the line 'Ladies and children not admitted.'

### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxiii)

The Duke orchestrates the fraudulent theatrical performances and orchestrates the escape from the angry townspeople.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxiv)

Devises the disguise for Jim and plans scams; later plays the deaf-mute William Wilks.

### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxv)

Pretends to be William Wilks, communicates through gestures and goo-gooing, and suggests making up the cash deficit.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxvi)

The Duke proposes they leave before dawn with the money, but the King overrules him.

### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxvii)

Uneasy about the king's actions, questions Huck about the gold, and shows some awareness of the fraud's consequences.

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxviii)

The Duke is present at the auction, 'goo-gooing for sympathy' and spreading himself generally.

### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxix)

The duke is visibly nervous when asked to write, but he follows the king's lead in the fraud.

### [The King and Duke's Quarrel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxx)

The Duke defends Huck from the King's anger, then confronts the King about the hidden gold. He forces a confession and later reconciles with the King over whiskey.

### [Chapter XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxxi)

The Duke encounters Huck in town, reveals the King sold Jim, and tries to manipulate Huck into staying quiet while the frauds continue their schemes.

### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Tarred and feathered by a mob along with the King; Huck feels sorry for them.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/characters/duke
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/characters