# Will Ladislaw — Middlemarch character guide > Will Ladislaw in Middlemarch by George Eliot. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Ladislaw, Will, Ladislaw, Will Ladislaw, young Ladislaw **First appearance:** 0009-vi ## Snapshot A quick, warm-blooded young man with no profession and no fortune, whose loyalty to Dorothea makes him dangerous to more settled plans. ## Who they are Will Ladislaw drifts into Middlemarch as Casaubon's cousin, charming, clever, and unplaceable in the town's tidy social map. He is drawn to Dorothea with a candor that scandalizes those who prefer discretion, and his lack of a career makes him easy to dismiss and hard to ignore. His presence forces the novel to ask what a person is worth when he has neither land nor title, only feeling and intelligence. ## Relationships ### [Dorothea Brooke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/dorothea_brooke) _romantic_ Dorothea and Will share a deep emotional and intellectual bond that eventually blossoms into love and marriage. ### [Rosamond Vincy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/rosamond_vincy) _social_ Rosamond flirts with Will, creating a brief romantic tension that causes jealousy and misunderstanding with Lydgate and Dorothea. ### [Mr. Brooke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/mr_brooke) _family_ Mr. Brooke is Will Ladislaw's distant relative and employs him as a newspaper editor, though their relationship is strained by Will's independence. ### [Tertius Lydgate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/tertius_lydgate) _rivalry_ Lydgate and Will are initially rivals for Rosamond's attention and later clash over Will's closeness to Dorothea. ### [Mary Garth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/mary_garth) _friendship_ Mary and Will share a warm, intellectual friendship, with Mary appreciating Will's artistic and rebellious nature. ### [Dorothea Brooke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/dorothea_brooke) _romantic_ Dorothea and Will share a deep emotional and intellectual bond that eventually blossoms into love and marriage. ### [Dorothea Brooke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/dorothea_brooke) _romantic_ Dorothea and Will share a deep emotional and intellectual bond that eventually blossoms into love and marriage. ### [Mr. Brooke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/mr_brooke) _family_ Mr. Brooke is Will Ladislaw's distant relative and employs him as a newspaper editor, though their relationship is strained by Will's independence. ### [Rosamond Vincy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/rosamond_vincy) _social_ Rosamond flirts with Will, creating a brief romantic tension that causes jealousy and misunderstanding with Lydgate and Dorothea. ### [Tertius Lydgate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/tertius_lydgate) _rivalry_ Lydgate and Will are initially rivals for Rosamond's attention and later clash over Will's closeness to Dorothea. ### [Mary Garth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/mary_garth) _friendship_ Mary and Will share a warm, intellectual friendship, with Mary appreciating Will's artistic and rebellious nature. ### [Mary Garth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/mary_garth) _friendship_ Mary and Will share a warm, intellectual friendship, with Mary appreciating Will's artistic and rebellious nature. ## In the story ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/ix) Introduced as Casaubon's second cousin, sketching by a yew tree; forms a negative impression of Dorothea but is struck by her voice. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xix) Encountered Dorothea in the Vatican and becomes defensive when Naumann proposes to paint her. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xxi) Will visits Dorothea in Rome, observing her signs of weeping and feeling a mix of comic disgust and admiration. He criticizes Mr. Casaubon's scholarly methods, but is captivated by Dorothea's simplicity and feeling, seeing her as an 'angel beguiled.' ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xxii) Argues passionately with Dorothea about art and sympathy; criticizes Casaubon's scholarship and announces his plan to become independent. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xxix) Writes a letter to Dorothea (enclosed in one to Casaubon) proposing a visit, which Casaubon declines. ### [Chapter 30](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xxx) Writes letters from Rome announcing his return to England and his intention to deliver a painting; his letter to Dorothea continues their earlier artistic debate. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xxxiv) Arrives as Mr. Brooke's guest; described as a 'pretty sprig' and a young relative of Casaubon. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xxxvii) Writes a defiant letter to Casaubon asserting his freedom; contrives to meet Dorothea alone at Lowick, feeling a passionate devotion to her. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xxxviii) Discussed as a dangerous influence on Brooke; his role at the Pioneer is criticized by the group. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xxxix) Is present at the Grange when Dorothea arrives, reveals Mr. Casaubon's prohibition against visiting Lowick, and engages in an intimate conversation with Dorothea about their respective beliefs. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xlii) Object of Casaubon's suspicion and jealousy; believed to be waiting for Casaubon's death to marry Dorothea. ### [Book V: The Dead Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/book-v-the-dead-hand) Will's presence in Middlemarch becomes a point of tension, as his connection to Dorothea is complicated by Casaubon's suspicions and the codicil. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xliii) Visiting Rosamond when Dorothea arrives; offers to fetch Lydgate; feels mortified after Dorothea leaves abruptly. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xlvi) Nettled by Lydgate's insinuations, he throws himself into political journalism with the Pioneer, motivated partly by proximity to Dorothea. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xlvii) Struggles with his decision to stay in Middlemarch, driven by his devotion to Dorothea; attends Lowick Church against Casaubon's wishes, but feels humiliated and miserable. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xlviii) His presence at church deepens the rift between him and Mr. Casaubon; Dorothea sees him as receding into a world of warmth and activity. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xlix) Discussed as the potential beneficiary of Dorothea's affection; Sir James suspects him of impropriety and wants him sent away. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/l) Dorothea experiences a sudden yearning for him, and she contemplates the injustice of her husband's will regarding his moral claim. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/li) Determined to stay in Middlemarch despite Mr. Brooke's hints that he should leave; feels the chasm between himself and Dorothea. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/liii) Name recalled by Raffles and written down, potentially linking to Bulstrode's past. ### [Book VI: The Widow and the Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/book-vi-the-widow-and-the-wife) Will returns to Middlemarch and rekindles his connection with Dorothea, stirring both affection and conflict within her. ### [Chapter LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/liv) Will visits Dorothea to say goodbye, feeling miserable and determined. He is uneasy and petulant, fearing that his poverty might separate them. ### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lv) Mentioned in Dorothea's reflections on their parting; she interprets his behavior as influenced by Mr. Casaubon's codicil and cherishes their past friendship. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lviii) Will is present at the Lydgate home, singing with Rosamond when Lydgate returns. He has remained in Middlemarch since parting from Dorothea. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lix) Will is shocked and angered upon learning from Rosamond that Dorothea would forfeit her property if she marries him. ### [LX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lx) Attends the auction at Mr. Bulstrode's request to evaluate a painting; is in a defiant mood, conscious of local gossip about his intentions. ### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxi) Will is summoned by Bulstrode and learns of his grandmother's marriage to Bulstrode; he angrily rejects Bulstrode's offer of money, asserting his honor. ### [LXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxii) Determined to see Dorothea again before leaving Middlemarch; writes a letter requesting an interview and later meets her at the Grange. ### [Book VII: Two Temptations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/book-vii-two-temptations) Will is tempted by his growing affection for Dorothea, which challenges his sense of honor and his place in society. ### [Book VIII: Sunset and Sunrise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/book-viii-sunset-and-sunrise) Will marries Dorothea, finding happiness and purpose in their union, though he remains an outsider to Middlemarch society. ### [LXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxv) Writes a letter announcing a possible visit to Middlemarch, which briefly lifts Rosamond's spirits. ### [LXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxvii) Will is discovered by Dorothea in a compromising position with Rosamond, causing him to freeze in shock; his social standing is further tarnished by revelations about his grandfather. ### [LXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxviii) Will is consumed by rage and despair after Dorothea's departure, lashing out at Rosamond with venomous words. He declares his absolute devotion to Dorothea and feels trapped by Rosamond's helplessness. ### [LXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxix) Will returns to Middlemarch, feels guilt over his outburst to Rosamond, and conceals his rejection of Bulstrode's money from Lydgate. ### [LXXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxx) Mentioned as the object of Dorothea's love and betrayal; his gift to Miss Noble triggers Dorothea's painful memories. ### [LXXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxxi) Mentioned as having visited Lydgate and as the subject of Rosamond's confession. ### [LXXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxxii) Returns to Middlemarch after months of exile, torn between his love for Dorothea and his complicated friendship with Rosamond; he flees temporarily to Riverston but returns, forced to confront the emotional fallout. ### [LXXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxxiii) Sends Miss Noble to request a meeting with Dorothea; confesses his love and despair at being separated, and feels happy and relieved when Dorothea reciprocates. ### [Finale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/finale) Becomes an ardent public man, works for reforms, gets returned to Parliament, and shares a strong love with Dorothea. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/will_ladislaw - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters