# Hans Bjelke — Journey to the Center of the Earth character guide > Hans Bjelke in Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Hans, the Icelander, The Icelander **First appearance:** 0010-xi-a-guide-found-to-the-centre-of-the-earth ## Who they are A taciturn Icelandic guide whose wordless competence and unshakable calm make him the expedition's true anchor beneath the Earth. ## Relationships ### [Arne Saknussemm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/characters/arne_saknussemm) _psychological_ Arne Saknussemm is a historical figure whose trail Hans follows as a guide, but they have no direct interaction. ### [Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/characters/martha) _social_ Hans and Martha have only a brief, incidental encounter in the story. ## In the story ### [IX: Iceland! But What Next?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/ix-iceland-but-what-next) Not directly mentioned in this chapter; no appearance. ### [X: Interesting Conversations with Icelandic Savants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/x-interesting-conversations-with-icelandic-savants) Mentioned as the eiderdown hunter who will serve as guide; he speaks Danish and is expected the next day. ### [XI: A Guide Found to the Centre of the Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xi-a-guide-found-to-the-centre-of-the-earth) Icelandic eider duck hunter hired as guide; calm, phlegmatic, and economical in movement; agrees to lead to Stapi and beyond for three rixdalers a week. ### [A Barren Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xii-a-barren-land) Hans leads the party silently, guiding the horses and arranging the fjord crossing by boat. ### [XIII: Hospitality Under the Arctic Circle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xiii-hospitality-under-the-arctic-circle) Returns after seeing to the horses, calmly participates in the kissing ceremony, and leads the expedition with steady endurance. ### [But Arctics Can Be Inhospitable, Too](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xiv-but-arctics-can-be-inhospitable-too) Hans acts as guide and organizer, hiring three Icelandic porters and arranging supplies. He remains stoic and practical, indifferent to the dangers of the journey. ### [XV: Snæfells at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xv-sn-fells-at-last) Leads the ascent with calm expertise, builds stone landmarks, and guides the group away from the dust storm. ### [XVI: Boldly Down the Crater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xvi-boldly-down-the-crater) Leads the descent with calm expertise, builds a hut from lava, and remains stoic throughout the wait. ### [Vertical Descent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xvii-vertical-descent) Remains calm and indifferent to danger; guides the descent; gives brief commands ('Giv akt!'); halts the group at the bottom. ### [XVIII: The Wonders of Terrestrial Depths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xviii-the-wonders-of-terrestrial-depths) Hans retrieves the dropped bundle by climbing a projection, carries equipment, and silently follows the Professor's orders. ### [XIX: Geological Studies In Situ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xix-geological-studies-in-situ) Hans silently leads the way, stopping at the fork and following the Professor's choice without comment. ### [The First Signs of Distress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xx-the-first-signs-of-distress) Hans is silent and prepares food, embodying stoic endurance as the group faces distress. ### [Compassion Fuses the Professor’s Heart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxi-compassion-fuses-the-professor-s-heart) Hans remains stoic and loyal throughout the crisis, calmly pointing to the Professor as 'Master' when Axel tries to persuade him to flee. ### [XXII: Total Failure of Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxii-total-failure-of-water) Hans leads the way as usual, and later in the night leaves the camp with the lamp, prompting Axel's fear of abandonment. ### [XXIII: Water Discovered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxiii-water-discovered) Hans calmly locates the torrent by listening through the rock, breaches the wall with precise pickaxe strokes, and remains composed throughout. ### [XXIV: Well Said, Old Mole! Canst Thou Work i’ the Ground So Fast?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxiv-well-said-old-mole-canst-thou-work-i-the-ground-so-fast) Hans secures ropes for the descent and is paid his weekly wages at the grotto. His calm demeanor contrasts with the Professor's impatience. ### [De Profundis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxv-de-profundis) Remains stolid and indifferent, following destiny without questioning causes or effects, envied by Axel for his calm acceptance. ### [XXVI: The Worst Peril of All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxvi-the-worst-peril-of-all) Praised for his skill and coolness during perilous descents, but is separated from Axel in the tunnel. ### [XXVII: Lost in the Bowels of the Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxvii-lost-in-the-bowels-of-the-earth) Hans is mentioned as part of the group that continued along the stream while Axel went astray. ### [The Rescue in the Whispering Gallery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxviii-the-rescue-in-the-whispering-gallery) Implied to be with the Professor; his Danish word 'förlorad' is heard by Axel, confirming their presence. ### [XXIX: Thalatta! Thalatta!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxix-thalatta-thalatta) Shows joy at Axel's recovery and has treated his wounds with Icelandic ointment. ### [XXXI: Preparations for a Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxi-preparations-for-a-voyage-of-discovery) Hans is busy constructing the raft from fossilized wood, demonstrating his skill and industry. He also provides for the camp, including preparing coffee. ### [XXXII: Wonders of the Deep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxii-wonders-of-the-deep) Hans constructs the raft's rudder, steers the vessel, prepares fishing lines, catches the blind fish, and physically prevents Axel from falling into the sea. ### [XXXIII: A Battle of Monsters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-battle-of-monsters) Points out the tooth marks on the pickaxe, steers the raft, and correctly indicates that only two monsters are fighting. ### [XXXIV: The Great Geyser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-great-geyser) Hans remains at the helm, climbs the mast to observe, identifies the islet as 'Holm' and the geyser as 'Geysir', and refits the rudder during the halt. ### [XXXV: An Electric Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxv-an-electric-storm) Hans remains calm and stoic throughout the storm, his hair tipped with electric sparks, and continues at the helm even after the fireball passes. ### [XXXVI: Calm Philosophic Discussions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxvi-calm-philosophic-discussions) Braves the waves to rescue Axel and salvage the raft's cargo; arranges supplies and instruments on the shore. ### [XXXVII: The Liedenbrock Museum of Geology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-liedenbrock-museum-of-geology) Silently repairs the raft and prepares for departure, showing feudal loyalty to the Professor. ### [The Professor in His Chair Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-professor-in-his-chair-again) Present during the discovery, though not speaking; assists in raising the fossil body. ### [XXXIX: Forest Scenery Illuminated by Electricity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxix-forest-scenery-illuminated-by-electricity) Mentioned indirectly when the Professor speculates the dagger might belong to him, though Axel notes Hans never possessed such an item. ### [Preparations for Blasting a Passage to the Centre of the Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xl-preparations-for-blasting-a-passage-to-the-centre-of-the-earth) Hans is tasked with sailing the raft to Cape Saknussemm and later with boring a hole for the gunpowder charge. He works silently and efficiently. ### [XLI: The Great Explosion and the Rush Down Below](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xli-the-great-explosion-and-the-rush-down-below) Hans pushes the raft off shore, later lights the lantern despite the chaos, and holds Axel fast during the vertical descent, remaining calm and unmoved. ### [XLII: Headlong Speed Upward Through the Horrors of Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xlii-headlong-speed-upward-through-the-horrors-of-darkness) Hans is calm and methodical, eating his ration quietly and finding a flask of Hollands to share. He shows no anxiety about the future, embodying fatalistic composure. ### [XLIII: Shot Out of a Volcano at Last!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xliii-shot-out-of-a-volcano-at-last) Hans is present and physically supports Axel, preventing him from being injured against the rock walls during the violent ascent. ### [Sunny Lands in the Blue Mediterranean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xliv-sunny-lands-in-the-blue-mediterranean) Saves Axel from falling into the gulf, remains indifferent to the surroundings, and later collects his wages with a rare smile. ### [All's Well That Ends Well](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xlv-all-s-well-that-ends-well) Leaves Hamburg to return to Iceland, refusing rewards. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/characters/hans_bjelke - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/characters