# Physician Vilbert — Jude the Obscure character guide

> Physician Vilbert in Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Vilbert, the itinerant Vilbert, Dr. Vilbert

**First appearance:** 0001-jude-the-obscure

## Who they are

A quack doctor who peddles remedies and appears periodically.

## Relationships

### [Arabella Donn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/arabella_donn)

_professional_

Transactional relationship where Arabella uses Vilbert for medical advice and romantic favors.

### [Jude Fawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/jude_fawley)

_social_

Casual acquaintance from Jude's youth, later a source of medical aid and ironic commentary.

### [Arabella Donn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/arabella_donn)

_professional_

Transactional relationship where Arabella uses Vilbert for medical advice and romantic favors.

### [Jude Fawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/jude_fawley)

_social_

Casual acquaintance from Jude's youth, later a source of medical aid and ironic commentary.

### [Arabella Donn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/arabella_donn)

_professional_

Transactional relationship where Arabella uses Vilbert for medical advice and romantic favors.

### [Jude Fawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/jude_fawley)

_social_

Casual acquaintance from Jude's youth, later a source of medical aid and ironic commentary.

## In the story

### [Part I: At Marygreen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/part-i-at-marygreen)

An itinerant quack doctor who briefly interacts with Jude and promises to bring him books, though he proves unreliable.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/iv)

An itinerant quack-doctor who promises Jude grammars in exchange for promoting his medicines, but fails to deliver on his promise.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/ix)

Vilbert briefly appears, conversing with Arabella before her confession to Jude.

### [The Pig-Killing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/x)

Mentioned by Arabella as the one who confirmed her false pregnancy, which trapped Jude into marriage.

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

Sells Arabella a love-philtre; claims it is made from distilled doves' hearts.

### [Jude's Decline and Arabella's Schemes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/x)

Called in by Arabella, he is insulted by Jude but later accepts Arabella's drugged wine and kisses her, complicit in her scheming.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/xi)

Appears at the riverside and touches Arabella's ribs, inviting her to the festivities.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/physician_vilbert
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters