# Charles Bovary — Madame Bovary character guide > Charles Bovary in Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Monsieur Charles Denis Bartolome Bovary, Monsieur Bovary, Madame Charles **First appearance:** 0001-madame-bovary ## Snapshot A well-meaning provincial doctor whose devotion to Emma is as steady and unremarkable as the pulse he takes, and just as easy for her to overlook. ## Who they are Charles is the man who marries Emma after his first wife dies, a mediocre practitioner with a warm heart and no imagination for the longings that move her. He notices violets on the mantel and smells them tenderly, unaware they came from another man; he presses opera tickets against his stomach and weeps at the music. His sincere, clumsy love is the baseline against which Emma's romantic fantasies and eventual betrayals are measured. ## Relationships ### [Emma Bovary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/emma_bovary) _family_ Charles is Emma's devoted but dull husband, whose blind adoration she finds suffocating and contemptible. ### [Monsieur Homais](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/monsieur_homais) _friendship_ Homais acts as Charles's primary social companion and self-appointed mentor, though his friendship is largely self-serving. ### [Rodolphe Boulanger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/rodolphe_boulanger) _rivalry_ Charles is the unwitting cuckold to Rodolphe, who secretly cuckolds him and later feigns friendship. ### [Père Rouault](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/pere_rouault) _family_ Rouault is Charles's father-in-law, a farmer whose initial approval of Charles turns to pity after Emma's death. ### [Léon Dupuis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/leon_dupuis) _rivalry_ Charles is oblivious to Léon's role as his wife's lover, even seeing him as a friend after Emma's death. ### [Doctor Larivière](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/doctor_lariviere) _professional_ Charles idolizes the great surgeon as a medical ideal, a stark contrast to his own mediocre abilities. ### [Berthe Bovary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/berthe_bovary) _family_ Charles is the loving but neglectful father to his young daughter, Berthe, doted on after Emma's death. ### [Monsieur Lheureux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/monsieur_lheureux) _psychological_ Lheureux exploits Charles's naivety and grief after Emma's death to seize the family's remaining assets. ### [Justin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/justin) _professional_ Charles interacts with Justin as a local youth and employee of Homais, unaware of his role in Emma's suicide. ### [Emma Bovary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/emma_bovary) _family_ Charles is Emma's devoted but dull husband, whose blind adoration she finds suffocating and contemptible. ### [Emma Bovary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/emma_bovary) _family_ Charles is Emma's devoted but dull husband, whose blind adoration she finds suffocating and contemptible. ### [Léon Dupuis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/leon_dupuis) _rivalry_ Charles is oblivious to Léon's role as his wife's lover, even seeing him as a friend after Emma's death. ## In the story ### [Madame Bovary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/madame-bovary) Introduced as a clumsy, awkward new student. His humble origins, simple clothing ('country clothes'), and passive nature are highlighted, establishing the foundation of his unremarkable character. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-i-i) Introduced as a passive, mediocre youth shaped by parental conflict. His medical studies in Rouen lead to idleness and failure, after which he is set up in practice and married. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-i-i) Charles's father, a former army surgeon. He is dissolute, idle, and holds crude, 'virile' ideas about child-rearing, opposing his wife's ambitions. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Obeys his jealous wife's demands but secretly longs for Emma. His professional visit to the Bertaux marks his first, detailed encounter with Emma Rouault. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Grieves his first wife but finds new independence and hope. Becomes infatuated with Emma during his visits to the Bertaux, leading to his awkward but successful proposal. ### [The Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-i-iv) The groom; awkward and un-facetious during the wedding festivities but transforms into an openly affectionate and doting husband the next day, calling Emma 'my wife' and constantly seeking her company. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-i-v) Deeply content and adoring of Emma, finding endless happiness in simple domestic routines. He is oblivious to her growing dissatisfaction. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Portrayed as commonplace, unambitious, and content with his simple life; his conversation bores Emma; he is oblivious to her inner turmoil and proud of her domestic skills. ### [The Ball at Vaubyessard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Awkward and out of place at the ball; bored by whist and relieved to return home, where he smokes a found cigar. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-i-ix) Remains oblivious, content with his simple domestic life and Emma's superficial attentions; works diligently in his practice. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-i) Mentioned indirectly as being blamed by Emma for the loss of her dog during the coach journey to Yonville. ### [Arrival in Yonville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Mostly passive during the dinner conversation; sleeps during the journey; reveals Emma prefers reading to gardening or exercise. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-iii) Overjoyed by his wife's pregnancy and the birth of his child, cherishing Emma more. He is dull and worried about money, with few patients. He suggests naming the child after Emma's mother. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-iv) Oblivious to the growing bond between his wife and Léon; his simplicity and lack of jealousy are noted. He plays dominoes with Homais and falls asleep. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-v) Oblivious to Emma's torment; his very presence and simple actions (like carrying a knife) irritate and disgust her. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-vi) Naively concerned for Léon's well-being in Paris; comforts Emma after Berthe's accident, unaware of the true cause of her distress. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-vii) Worried and helpless in the face of Emma's decline, he consults his mother. He performs a bloodletting on Rodolphe's servant, displaying his professional manner, but is flustered when Justin faints. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-ix) Remains utterly oblivious, even encouraging Emma's rides with Rodolphe, concerned only for her health and pleased to buy her a horse. ### [The Fears and Follies of Adultery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-x) Unaware, he chats by the fireside, delaying Emma's trysts. His innocent mention of a pedlar's report shows his mundane life, contrasting with Emma's secret drama. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-xi) Overwhelmed by the failed operation and Emma's inexplicable anger. He is depicted as clueless, emotionally needy, and professionally incompetent. ### [The Deepening Affair and Plans for Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-xii) Remains oblivious, paying for Emma's extravagances (like Hippolyte's leg). He dreams of a simple, domestic future for Berthe, highlighting his profound disconnect from Emma's reality. ### [The Letter and the Abyss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii) Completely unaware of the letter, worries over Emma's health after her fainting spell, and naively reports Rodolphe's departure. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv) Anxious about finances, signs a burdensome bill with Lheureux, and is preoccupied with Emma's health, neglecting his own worries. ### [The Opera](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-xv) Pragmatic and uncomprehending of the opera's artistic appeal. Oblivious to the tension between Emma and Léon, he innocently encourages Emma to stay in Rouen alone. ### [The Death of Charles's Father & Financial Maneuvers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) Grieves sincerely for his father, is naive and emotionally dependent on Emma. He is easily manipulated by both Emma and Lheureux, and remains oblivious to the true nature of their interactions. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-iv) Shamed by townspeople and Homais into encouraging Emma's music; gullibly believes her pretext for weekly trips; seeks cheaper piano teachers to please her. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-v) Waits innocently at home, later questioning Emma about her music teacher, Mademoiselle Lempereur, which inadvertently threatens to expose her affair. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-vi) Timid and confused by Emma's temper, blaming her old nervous illness. He tries to care for Berthe and the garden, walking alone in a state of helpless worry as the household decays. ### [The Desperate Search](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-vii) Mentioned as the impending victim of Emma's ruin; she imagines his tearful, magnanimous forgiveness, which she finds intolerable. ### [The Final Desperation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-viii) Distraught and helpless, he returns home to find Emma missing, then witnesses her agonizing death without understanding its cause. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-ix) Overwhelmed by grief; hallucinates memories of Emma; insists on a lavish, romantic funeral; expresses blasphemous anger at God. ### [The Funeral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-x) Consumed by despair and rage during the funeral; experiences hallucinations and a desire to join Emma in the grave. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-xi) Devastated by grief, he idealizes Emma, adopts her habits, and is financially ruined. He discovers but misreads Rodolphe's letter. He neglects practical matters, focusing on preserving Emma's memory and caring for Berthe. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/charles_bovary - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters