# Pelagia — Hypatia character guide > Pelagia in Hypatia by Charles Kingsley. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Aphrodite, poor Pelagia, Pelagia Aphrodite **First appearance:** 0007-v-a-day-in-alexandria ## Snapshot A dazzling actress and courtesan who arrives at Hypatia's lecture with Gothic guards, trading barbed courtesies with the philosopher before a hostile crowd. ## Who they are Pelagia sweeps into the Museum at the head of her Gothic bodyguard, matching her beauty against Hypatia's and needling the philosophers with reminders of the gifts she has taken from their students. When the crowd taunts her as a treacherous wanton squandering their presents on barbarians, she furiously strips off her jewels and hurls them back, and her Gothic escort follows suit with purses and bracelets. Her theatrical pride and her defiance of the men who think they own her make her a volatile force in Alexandria's already explosive mix of pagan, Christian, and barbarian. ## Relationships ### [Philammon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/philammon) _romantic_ Pelagia is drawn to Philammon with a passionate, possessive desire, while he is torn between his vows and her allure. ### [Hypatia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/hypatia) _rivalry_ Hypatia and Pelagia are rivals for Philammon's attention and represent opposing ideals of womanhood—intellectual purity versus sensual passion. ### [Wulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/wulf) _romantic_ Pelagia and Wulf share a passionate, stormy romance, with Wulf deeply devoted to her despite her capriciousness. ### [Amalric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/amalric) _psychological_ Amalric is obsessed with Pelagia, viewing her as a prize to be won, which creates a dangerous tension with Wulf. ### [Philammon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/philammon) _romantic_ Pelagia is drawn to Philammon with a passionate, possessive desire, while he is torn between his vows and her allure. ### [Wulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/wulf) _romantic_ Pelagia and Wulf share a passionate, stormy romance, with Wulf deeply devoted to her despite her capriciousness. ### [Philammon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/philammon) _romantic_ Pelagia is drawn to Philammon with a passionate, possessive desire, while he is torn between his vows and her allure. ### [Hypatia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/hypatia) _rivalry_ Hypatia and Pelagia are rivals for Philammon's attention and represent opposing ideals of womanhood—intellectual purity versus sensual passion. ### [Wulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/wulf) _romantic_ Pelagia and Wulf share a passionate, stormy romance, with Wulf deeply devoted to her despite her capriciousness. ### [Amalric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/amalric) _psychological_ Amalric is obsessed with Pelagia, viewing her as a prize to be won, which creates a dangerous tension with Wulf. ### [Hypatia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/hypatia) _rivalry_ Hypatia and Pelagia are rivals for Philammon's attention and represent opposing ideals of womanhood—intellectual purity versus sensual passion. ### [Amalric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/amalric) _psychological_ Amalric is obsessed with Pelagia, viewing her as a prize to be won, which creates a dangerous tension with Wulf. ## In the story ### [III: The Goths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/iii-the-goths) Interprets for the Goths, tries to calm Amalric's temper, and expresses a preference for Alexandria over the desert. ### [A Day in Alexandria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/v-a-day-in-alexandria) Bids farewell to Philammon, intrigued by his Athenian accent and a vague memory he shares, and invites him to visit. ### [The Bower of Acrasia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xii-the-bower-of-acrasia) Living in luxury in Alexandria, she is the mistress of the house and is surrounded by Gothic warriors, indulging in a life of pleasure. ### [XVI: Venus and Pallas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xvi-venus-and-pallas) Rides through the streets, encounters an old monk who weeps for her soul, but she dismisses him; her house provides refuge for Philammon. ### [XX: She Stoops to Conquer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xx-she-stoops-to-conquer) Though not present, she is the subject of Hypatia's and Orestes' conversation, her fate as a pawn in their political and personal games highlighting her vulnerability. ### [Pandemonium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxii-pandemonium) Performs in the spectacle, is confronted by her brother Philammon, and is overcome with shame, ultimately retreating in disgrace. ### [Lost Lambs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxiv-lost-lambs) Torn between her love and the fear of damnation, she is horrified by the prospect of a life of penance. ### [XXV: Seeking After a Sign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxv-seeking-after-a-sign) Appears as a haunting, reproachful phantom in Hypatia's vision, representing the guilt and consequences of Hypatia's past actions. ### [XXVIII: Woman's Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxviii-woman-s-love) Despairing and suicidal, she overhears plots and contemplates death, but is saved by the Amal's revelation. ### [XXIX: Nemesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxix-nemesis) Refuses to leave Wulf, choosing love over salvation; watches the fatal struggle. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/pelagia - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters