# Peregrine Tyss — Master Flea character guide > Peregrine Tyss in Master Flea by E. T. A. Hoffmann. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Peregrine Tyss, Mr. Tyss, Master Peregrine Tyss, Peregrine, the good Tyss, the elder Mr. Tyss, the astonished Peregrine, the poor Peregrine, noble Mr. Peregrine, the late Mr. Tyss **First appearance:** 0000-i-first-adventure ## Snapshot A wealthy, reclusive young gentleman whose sheltered habits crack open the moment a sentient flea grants him the power to read minds. ## Who they are Peregrine Tyss lives quietly on his inheritance, avoiding society until Master Flea fixes a microscopic glass in his eye and turns every casual greeting into a broadcast of hidden greed and vanity. The gift exposes how thoroughly the people around him — flattering cousins, scheming physicians, old Alina with her snuffbox and her secrets — calculate his fortune. His struggle to stay decent in a world of transparent motives, and his helpless fixation on the mysterious Dörtje, make him the story's tender, bewildered center. ## Relationships ### [George Pepusch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/george_pepusch) _friendship_ George and Peregrine are close companions, sharing many adventures and confidences throughout the story. ### [Mr. Swammer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/mr_swammer) _rivalry_ Swammer is a jealous and antagonistic figure who constantly opposes Peregrine's pursuits. ### [Alina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/alina) _romantic_ Alina is deeply in love with Peregrine, though their relationship is complicated by magical and social entanglements. ### [Princess Gamaheh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/princess_gamaheh) _romantic_ Peregrine is enchanted by Princess Gamaheh, a fairy-tale romance that drives much of the plot. ### [Antonie van Leeuwenhoek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/antonie_van_leeuwenhoek) _professional_ Leeuwenhoek is a scientist and mentor figure who interacts with Peregrine in the context of microscopy and natural philosophy. ### [Rose Lemmerhirt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/rose_lemmerhirt) _romantic_ Rose is a former love interest of Peregrine, and their interactions carry lingering romantic tension. ### [Master Flea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/master_flea) _friendship_ Master Flea is a loyal and magical companion to Peregrine, aiding him in his quests. ### [The Thistle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/the_thistle) _rivalry_ Peregrine and The Thistle are enemies, with the thistle obstructing Peregrine's romantic goals. ### [Princess Gamaheh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/princess_gamaheh) _romantic_ Peregrine is enchanted by Princess Gamaheh, a fairy-tale romance that drives much of the plot. ### [Alina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/alina) _romantic_ Alina is deeply in love with Peregrine, though their relationship is complicated by magical and social entanglements. ### [George Pepusch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/george_pepusch) _friendship_ George and Peregrine are close companions, sharing many adventures and confidences throughout the story. ### [Mr. Swammer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/mr_swammer) _rivalry_ Swammer is a jealous and antagonistic figure who constantly opposes Peregrine's pursuits. ## In the story ### [First Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/i-first-adventure) The protagonist, a wealthy bachelor of thirty-six, receives Christmas gifts with childlike joy and is described as a dreamer unsuited for business. ### [III: Third Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/iii-third-adventure) Beside himself with love and doubt; promises Master Flea not to surrender him to enemies. ### [IV: Fourth Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/iv-fourth-adventure) Follows Master Flea's advice to leave solitude, uses the microscopic glass to read thoughts, and becomes deeply entangled in the romantic and magical conflicts involving Gamaheh and Pepusch. ### [Fifth Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/v-fifth-adventure) Devastated by Dörtje's abduction, he follows Master Flea's advice to socialize, uses the microscopic glass to observe hypocrisy, and later flees to a wood to reflect on his adventures. ### [Sixth Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/vi-sixth-adventure) Visits Leeuwenhoek to learn about his horoscope; rescues Gamaheh from the brawl but struggles with his desire for her; wanders in despair after sacrificing his happiness. ### [Seventh Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/chapters/vii-seventh-adventure) Host to Swammerdam; sees through Swammerdam's greed for the talisman; feels cold dread toward Gamaheh; falls in love with Rose Lemmerhirt; returns home to find the strange corpse-like tableau. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters/peregrine_tyss - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/master_flea_se/characters