# Richard Phillotson — Jude the Obscure character guide > Richard Phillotson in Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Phillotson, Phillotson, one Mr. Phillotson, the great Phillotson, Richard, Mrs. Phillotson, Mrs. Richard Phillotson, the wretched Phillotson, IV Phillotson **First appearance:** 0001-jude-the-obscure ## Who they are The schoolmaster whose Christminster dream first inspires Jude, Phillotson later marries Sue and surprises everyone with his capacity for generosity. ## Relationships ### [Sue Bridehead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/sue_bridehead) _romantic_ Unhappy marriage where Sue feels trapped and Phillotson is torn between love and moral duty. ### [Jude Fawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/jude_fawley) _friendship_ Respectful but strained friendship, with Jude initially idolizing Phillotson and later becoming his rival for Sue. ### [Gillingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/gillingham) _friendship_ Loyal friend and confidant who advises Phillotson through his marital crises. ### [Arabella Donn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/arabella_donn) _social_ Brief, opportunistic interactions where Arabella manipulates Phillotson for information about Jude. ### [Sue Bridehead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/sue_bridehead) _romantic_ Unhappy marriage where Sue feels trapped and Phillotson is torn between love and moral duty. ### [Sue Bridehead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/sue_bridehead) _romantic_ Unhappy marriage where Sue feels trapped and Phillotson is torn between love and moral duty. ### [Jude Fawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/jude_fawley) _friendship_ Respectful but strained friendship, with Jude initially idolizing Phillotson and later becoming his rival for Sue. ### [Gillingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/gillingham) _friendship_ Loyal friend and confidant who advises Phillotson through his marital crises. ### [Jude Fawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/jude_fawley) _friendship_ Respectful but strained friendship, with Jude initially idolizing Phillotson and later becoming his rival for Sue. ### [Arabella Donn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/arabella_donn) _social_ Brief, opportunistic interactions where Arabella manipulates Phillotson for information about Jude. ### [Gillingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/gillingham) _friendship_ Loyal friend and confidant who advises Phillotson through his marital crises. ### [Arabella Donn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/arabella_donn) _social_ Brief, opportunistic interactions where Arabella manipulates Phillotson for information about Jude. ## In the story ### [Jude the Obscure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/jude-the-obscure) The schoolmaster leaving Marygreen for Christminster, inspiring Jude's ambitions. ### [Part I: At Marygreen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/part-i-at-marygreen) The village schoolmaster who leaves Marygreen for Christminster to pursue a university education, inspiring Jude's own aspirations. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/i) The schoolmaster leaving Marygreen for Christminster to pursue a university degree and ordination. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/ii) The schoolmaster who has left Marygreen for Christminster, inspiring Jude's curiosity. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/iii) Phillotson is imagined by Jude as living in Christminster, promenading at ease, and is the object of Jude's reverence and longing. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/iv) The former schoolmaster who sends Jude old Latin and Greek grammars from Christminster, inadvertently shattering Jude's naive assumptions about language learning. ### [Part II: At Christminster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/part-ii-at-christminster) Mentioned as Jude's former teacher who left Marygreen for Christminster; Jude hopes to follow his path. ### [Jude's Arrival in Christminster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/i) Jude thinks of his old schoolmaster, who had also moved to Christminster, as part of his inspiration for coming to the city. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/ii) Jude thinks of the schoolmaster, now possibly a reverend parson, but feels too raw and unpolished to seek him out. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/iv) Engages Sue as a pupil-teacher after Jude's persuasion; still thinks of entering the church as a licentiate. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/v) Schoolmaster who hires Sue; shows protective concern when she faints; walks her home and places his arm around her waist, observed by Jude. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as giving up his school near Christminster for a larger one further south. ### [Part III: At Melchester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/part-iii-at-melchester) Mentioned as Sue's former teacher and suitor, representing a conventional path she resists. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/i) Referenced as Sue's fiancé and the one who advised her to attend the training school. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as the schoolmaster Sue served under; his portrait is on her dressing table at the training school. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as Sue's protégée and betrothed, but Sue avoids discussing him. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as the person who wished Sue to attend the Training School and as a rival for her affection. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/vi) Now a schoolmaster in Shaston, he is absorbed in Sue's letters and photograph, and confronts Jude about the scandal involving Sue. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/vii) Accepts Jude's offer of lodging for Sue, appears oblivious to the emotional undercurrents during the wedding. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/viii) Married to Sue; they travel to London for their holiday. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/ix) Mentioned as Sue's husband, though not present in the chapter. ### [Jude's Spiritual and Emotional Turmoil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/x) Sue's husband; she works as his assistant teacher. ### [Part IV: At Shaston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/part-iv-at-shaston) Sue's husband, whose presence complicates Jude and Sue's relationship. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/i) Absent at a teachers' meeting; his piano is present in the schoolroom. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as Sue's husband; she discusses her unhappiness with him and her desire to undo their marriage. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/iii) Agonizes over Sue's request to live apart; exchanges notes with her and eventually consents to her living separately in the house. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/iv) Phillotson decides to let Sue go, packs her belongings, and bids her farewell, showing both sorrow and resolve. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/v) Generously allows Sue to leave and writes a letter to Jude urging him to care for her. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/vi) Phillotson is ill and isolated after being dismissed from his teaching post for allowing Sue to leave with her lover. He defends his actions as morally right but suffers the consequences. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/i) Phillotson's divorce from Sue is finalized, granting her legal freedom. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/iii) Sue briefly considers writing to Richard to ask how he is getting on. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/viii) Encountered walking to Alfredston; reveals he has returned to teaching at Marygreen after losing his reputation and income due to his divorce from Sue. ### [At Christminster Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/i) Spotted by Sue in the crowd at the ceremony, does not seem to notice them. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/iii) Referenced by Sue as still being her husband in her thoughts, causing her guilt. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/iv) Phillotson learns from Arabella that Sue and Jude were never legally married and that Sue now considers herself his wife in the eyes of Heaven. He writes to Sue offering to take her back, motivated by a sense of justice and a desire to avoid further disaster, rather than passionate love. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/v) Accepts Sue back, though he senses her aversion; he resolves to be firmer with her after the wedding. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as Sue's new husband, with the wedding having taken place the day before. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/viii) Phillotson is Sue's husband; their marriage is revealed to be nominal only, as Sue confesses to Jude. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/chapters/ix) Is asleep when Sue enters his room; he forgives her but notes her aversion to him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters/richard_phillotson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jude_the_obscure_se/characters