# Octavius Robinson — Man and Superman character guide

> Octavius Robinson in Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Octavius, Tavy, Ricky, Ticky, Poor Ricky Ticky Tavy, poor Tavy, dear Tavy, Octavius Jack, Jack, poor Jack, Octavius Rising, Octavius Raising, Octavius Awkwardly, Octavius Impatiently, Octavius Humiliated, Octavius Smiling, Octavius Affectionately, Octavius Startled, Mr. Octavius Robinson, Mr. Robinson

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i

## Snapshot

A tender-hearted poet who loves Ann with his whole soul, proposes at exactly the wrong moment, and cannot see that her tears are a polite form of refusal.

## Who they are

Octavius — Tavy to his friends — is a generous, honorable young man whose late patron treated him like a son and whose sister Violet is his closest family. He confesses to Tanner that he proposed to Ann the night before and was undone by her sobs and her talk of duty, which he reads as exquisite sensibility rather than strategy. His romantic idealism makes him both the play's most sympathetic figure and its most instructive example of a man who mistakes being loved for being chosen.

## Relationships

### [Jack Tanner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters/jack_tanner)

_friendship_

Tanner is Octavius's friend and rival for Ann's affection, often teasing him about his romantic idealism.

### [Violet Robinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters/violet_robinson)

_family_

Octavius is Violet's brother, and he is protective and supportive of her, though often naive about her schemes.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters/octavius_robinson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters