Là-Bas · Character

Gilles de Rais

The Marshal of France turned child-murderer, whose castles, confessions, and unholy remorse Durtal reconstructs chapter by chapter as the book's dark mirror.

major

Also known as Gilles, Undoubtedly Gilles, de Rais

First appearance: i

As a major figure in Là-Bas, Gilles de Rais is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The historical figure with whom Durtal now lives mentally, cloistered in the château de Tiffauges.

In the storyIIOpen this moment free

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Gilles de Rais is the subject Durtal cannot put down: a baron so powerful that peasants flee at his approach and his liege lord shields him for the sake of his lands. Only the Church, in the person of the Bishop of Nantes, finally moves against him — after Gilles commits sacrilege at Saint-Étienne by seizing a tonsured clerk in the middle of mass. He is the novel's true center of gravity: the monster Durtal studies, and the abyss Durtal keeps circling.

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See Gilles de Rais in i

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Gilles de Rais sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Psychological
Other

Character groups

Occult and Satanic Figures
Historical and Literary References
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Durtal decisiv…

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Relationships

Jean de Malestroit
professional · negative
Gilles de Rais and Jean de Malestroit are depicted as historical figures in a lord-vassal… How this plays out →
Durtal
psychological · ambivalent
Francesco Prelati
psychological · negative
Des Hermies
psychological · ambivalent
Des Hermies
psychological · ambivalent
Durtal
psychological · ambivalent
Francesco Prelati
psychological · negative
Durtal
psychological · ambivalent
Des Hermies
psychological · ambivalent
Jean de Malestroit
professional · negative
Gilles de Rais and Jean de Malestroit are depicted as historical figures in a lord-vassal… How this plays out →
Jean de Malestroit
professional · negative
Gilles de Rais and Jean de Malestroit are depicted as historical figures in a lord-vassal… How this plays out →

Jean de Malestroit
Gilles de Rais and Jean de Malestroit are depicted as historical figures in a lord-vassal or ecclesiastical relationship during the trial.
Durtal
Durtal is morbidly fascinated by Gilles de Rais, studying his crimes and psyche as a case of extreme evil and obsession.
Francesco Prelati
Francesco Prelati, an alchemist and sorcerer, is Gilles de Rais' manipulative accomplice, feeding his delusions and crimes.
Des Hermies
Des Hermies is intellectually obsessed with Gilles de Rais, analyzing him as a historical monster and cautionary figure.
Des Hermies
Des Hermies is intellectually obsessed with Gilles de Rais, analyzing him as a historical monster and cautionary figure.
Durtal
Durtal is morbidly fascinated by Gilles de Rais, studying his crimes and psyche as a case of extreme evil and obsession.
Francesco Prelati
Francesco Prelati, an alchemist and sorcerer, is Gilles de Rais' manipulative accomplice, feeding his delusions and crimes.
Durtal
Durtal is morbidly fascinated by Gilles de Rais, studying his crimes and psyche as a case of extreme evil and obsession.
Des Hermies
Des Hermies is intellectually obsessed with Gilles de Rais, analyzing him as a historical monster and cautionary figure.
Jean de Malestroit
Gilles de Rais and Jean de Malestroit are depicted as historical figures in a lord-vassal or ecclesiastical relationship during the trial.
Jean de Malestroit
Gilles de Rais and Jean de Malestroit are depicted as historical figures in a lord-vassal or ecclesiastical relationship during the trial.

Relationship notes

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See Gilles de Rais in i

In the story

Gilles de Rais appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II
The historical figure with whom Durtal now lives mentally, cloistered in the château de Tiffauges.
Chapter IV
Portrayed as a complex figure: a brave captain, a patron of the arts, and later a sacrilegious sadist and murderer.
V
Referenced as a key figure in the history of Satanism, marking the end of the 15th century.
VI
Subject of Durtal's research; his quest for the philosopher's stone and dealings with Prelati are discussed.
VIII
Durtal reflects on Gilles de Rais as an embodiment of Satanism, considering his crimes and the medieval context.
Chapter XI
Detailed account of his descent into spiritualized evil, systematic child murders, and the terror he spreads across the countryside.
XVI
Durtal compares him to Chantelouve, noting his three personas: brave soldier, artistic criminal, and repentant mystic.
XVIII
Appears before his judges, confesses his crimes in detail, breaks down, and is embraced by Jean de Malestroit.
XX
Referenced as a standard of satanic excess compared to Docre.
XXI
Mentioned by Durtal as a more interesting subject than Mme. Chantelouve, as his book on de Rais nears completion.

Chapter companion notes

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