Phineas Finn · Character

Duke of Omnium

A wealthy, reclusive old duke.

minor

Also known as The Duke, Duke of Omnium, The Duke of Omnium, Duke

First appearance: The Duke

Duke of Omnium's tie to Lady Laura Standish is one of the pressures that moves Phineas Finn—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Arrives at Matching Priory, is a figure of immense social prestige, interacts with Madame Max Goesler at dinner, and is described as having never done a day's work for his country.

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With Lady Laura Standish (social): The Duke is a powerful political patron and social acquaintance who interacts with Laura in high-society and political contexts. With Madame Max Goesler (romantic): The Duke is infatuated with Madame Max and proposes marriage, but she refuses him, maintaining a flirtatious friendship. With Lady Laura Standish (social): The Duke is a powerful political patron and social acquaintance who interacts with Laura in high-society and political contexts.

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See Duke of Omnium in The Duke

Character Web

26 connections

A slice of how Duke of Omnium sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Political and Social Circle
Minor Characters and Extras

+21 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this chapter, Phineas reaches his emotional and psychological peak by definitively choosing principle over…

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Relationships

Lady Laura Standish
social · ambivalent
The Duke is a powerful political patron and social acquaintance who interacts with Laura… How this plays out →
Madame Max Goesler
romantic · ambivalent
Lady Laura Standish
social · ambivalent
The Duke is a powerful political patron and social acquaintance who interacts with Laura… How this plays out →
Madame Max Goesler
romantic · ambivalent
Madame Max Goesler
romantic · ambivalent
Lady Laura Standish
social · ambivalent
The Duke is a powerful political patron and social acquaintance who interacts with Laura… How this plays out →

Lady Laura Standish
The Duke is a powerful political patron and social acquaintance who interacts with Laura in high-society and political contexts.
Madame Max Goesler
The Duke is infatuated with Madame Max and proposes marriage, but she refuses him, maintaining a flirtatious friendship.
Lady Laura Standish
The Duke is a powerful political patron and social acquaintance who interacts with Laura in high-society and political contexts.
Madame Max Goesler
The Duke is infatuated with Madame Max and proposes marriage, but she refuses him, maintaining a flirtatious friendship.
Madame Max Goesler
The Duke is infatuated with Madame Max and proposes marriage, but she refuses him, maintaining a flirtatious friendship.
Lady Laura Standish
The Duke is a powerful political patron and social acquaintance who interacts with Laura in high-society and political contexts.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Duke of Omnium in The Duke

In the story

Duke of Omnium appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Duke
Arrives at Matching Priory, is a figure of immense social prestige, interacts with Madame Max Goesler at dinner, and is described as having never done a day's work for his country.
Consolation
Mentioned in Madame Goesler's reflections; she has a note from him and contemplates the possibility of becoming Duchess of Omnium.
The Top Brick of the Chimney
An elderly, dignified nobleman who becomes infatuated with Madame Goesler, visiting her repeatedly and offering to show her his villa on Como.
LVIII: Rara Avis in Terris
Referenced as one of the two most honest men in the Cabinet with whom Mr. Monk discusses tenant-right.
Madame Goesler’s Politics
Shows infatuation with Madame Goesler, viewing her as the 'top brick of the chimney,' and is interrupted by Lady Glencora.
LXI: Another Duel
Proposes marriage to Madame Goesler and hints at the possibility to his nephew Plantagenet.
The Letter That Was Sent to Brighton
Flees to Brighton and sends a note to Madame Goesler asking for her answer, which she sends declining his proposal.
Showing How the Duke Stood His Ground
Hosts the garden party; sits in an armchair by the riverbank, greets Madame Goesler, and later dines with royalty.

Chapter companion notes

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See Duke of Omnium in The Duke