# George Pepusch — Master Flea character guide

> George Pepusch in Master Flea by E. T. A. Hoffmann.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Pepusch, good Pepusch, friend Pepusch, Mr. George Pepusch, Mr. Pepusch, the angry Pepusch

**First appearance:** 0000-i-first-adventure

## Snapshot

Peregrine's blunt, clear-eyed friend, who warns the flea-tamer against tricks he cannot control and pays dearly for being right.

## Who they are

Pepusch is the one man in Frankfurt who tells Leeuwenhoek the truth to his face, and the one who loves Dörtje Elverdink with a passion that overrides caution and friendship alike. When Leeuwenhoek's trained fleas turn out to be peppercorns and the audience turns violent, it is Pepusch who demands answers and receives only despair. His furious devotion sets him on a collision course with Peregrine, making him both the story's conscience and its most dangerous rival.

## Relationships

### [Peregrine Tyss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/peregrine_tyss)

_friendship_

George and Peregrine are close companions, sharing many adventures and confidences throughout the story.

### [Master Flea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/master_flea)

_friendship_

George and Master Flea share a whimsical bond, with the flea often aiding George in his schemes.

### [Princess Gamaheh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/princess_gamaheh)

_social_

George is an acquaintance of Princess Gamaheh, often involved in the courtly intrigues surrounding her.

### [Antonie van Leeuwenhoek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/antonie_van_leeuwenhoek)

_professional_

Leeuwenhoek and George interact as naturalist and assistant, with George helping in scientific observations.

### [The Thistle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/the_thistle)

_rivalry_

George and The Thistle are adversaries, often clashing in the story's conflicts.

### [Princess Gamaheh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/princess_gamaheh)

_social_

George is an acquaintance of Princess Gamaheh, often involved in the courtly intrigues surrounding her.

### [Peregrine Tyss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/peregrine_tyss)

_friendship_

George and Peregrine are close companions, sharing many adventures and confidences throughout the story.

### [Master Flea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/master_flea)

_friendship_

George and Master Flea share a whimsical bond, with the flea often aiding George in his schemes.

### [The Thistle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/the_thistle)

_rivalry_

George and The Thistle are adversaries, often clashing in the story's conflicts.

### [Antonie van Leeuwenhoek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/antonie_van_leeuwenhoek)

_professional_

Leeuwenhoek and George interact as naturalist and assistant, with George helping in scientific observations.

### [Master Flea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/master_flea)

_friendship_

George and Master Flea share a whimsical bond, with the flea often aiding George in his schemes.

### [Antonie van Leeuwenhoek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/antonie_van_leeuwenhoek)

_professional_

Leeuwenhoek and George interact as naturalist and assistant, with George helping in scientific observations.

## In the story

### [II: Second Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/ii-second-adventure)

Visits the flea-tamer late in the evening, witnesses the chaos, and confronts Leeuwenhoek about Dörtje Elverdink's disappearance and his mistreatment of her.

### [IV: Fourth Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/iv-fourth-adventure)

Reveals himself as the Thistle Zeherit, claims Princess Gamaheh's hand, and reacts with jealous fury upon hearing of Dörtje's behavior, ultimately being arrested and then bailed by Peregrine.

### [Fifth Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/v-fifth-adventure)

Snatches Dörtje from Peregrine, later subdued by Swammerdam and Leeuwenhoek, squeezed thin and then restored to his natural form.

### [Sixth Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/vi-sixth-adventure)

Falls at Gamaheh's feet in despair; defends her from Leech; shows jealousy toward Peregrine.

### [Seventh Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/vii-seventh-adventure)

Confronts Peregrine in jealous rage over Dörtje; storms out after Gamaheh intervenes; later sits stiff and corpse-like.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/george_pepusch
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters