# Juan Kemp — Romance character guide > Juan Kemp in Romance by Joseph Conrad. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Juan, young Kemp, Señor Don Juan Kemp, Don Juan **First appearance:** 0004-part-i-the-quarry-and-the-beach ## Snapshot A charming, ruined young heir sailing toward a Cuban inheritance and a cousin he may marry, whose glamour and easy gallantry conceal debts, scrapes, and dubious companions. ## Who they are Juan Kemp is a mixed-heritage nobleman's nephew bound for Rio Medio to claim the favor of an aged, doting uncle and perhaps the hand of Doña Seraphina. He wears his rags with grace and laughs off the watch-stealing scandal clinging to his faithful, ugly retainer Tomas Castro, insisting he is in no scrape himself. His romantic sheen—Byronic, piratical, heir to a Grand d'Espagne—makes him the story's glittering lure, even as his carelessness and ambiguous past keep the reader wondering what he truly is. ## Relationships ### [Manuel del Popolo Isturiz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/characters/manuel_del_popolo_isturiz) _friendship_ Consistent interactions indicate a reliable alliance or companionship. ### [Tomas Castro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/characters/tomas_castro) _friendship_ Equal interaction count with Carlos suggests mutual friendship circle. ### [Carlos Riego](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/characters/carlos_riego) _friendship_ Frequent interactions indicate a strong male friendship or co-conspirators. ### [Seraphina Riego](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/characters/seraphina_riego) _friendship_ Frequent interactions suggest a platonic but close bond within the social circle. ### [Carlos Riego](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/characters/carlos_riego) _friendship_ Frequent interactions indicate a strong male friendship or co-conspirators. ### [Seraphina Riego](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/characters/seraphina_riego) _friendship_ Frequent interactions suggest a platonic but close bond within the social circle. ### [Tomas Castro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/characters/tomas_castro) _friendship_ Equal interaction count with Carlos suggests mutual friendship circle. ### [Manuel del Popolo Isturiz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/characters/manuel_del_popolo_isturiz) _friendship_ Consistent interactions indicate a reliable alliance or companionship. ## In the story ### [Romance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/romance) Central figure in romantic developments, navigating love and duty. ### [Part I: The Quarry and the Beach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/part-i-the-quarry-and-the-beach) Central character, introduced as young Kemp, son of Mr. Kemp, involved in the events leading to his departure. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/i) The narrator and protagonist, a young farm boy yearning for adventure and the wider world. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/ii) Arrested by runners, then rescued by smugglers; experiences fear and relief during the mock execution. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/iii) The narrator and protagonist, who escapes England after being captured by the Bow Street Runners and joins Carlos Riego and Tomas Castro on a voyage to the West Indies. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/iv) Narrator and protagonist; reflects on his desire for romance and adventure, feels disillusioned during the storm. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/v) Narrator and protagonist; feels lonely and conflicted about Carlos, refuses to go to Rio Medio, and is threatened by Castro. ### [Part II: The Girl with the Lizard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/part-ii-the-girl-with-the-lizard) Possibly interacting with Seraphina, continuing his journey and involvement with the Riego family. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/ii) Narrator and protagonist; reunites with Carlos and learns of family intrigues. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/iii) Kemp is confronted by O'Brien with warrants for his arrest and is offered a role in privateering; he refuses to betray his country but agrees not to denounce O'Brien for the honor of the Riego house. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/iv) Narrator and protagonist; kidnapped, bound, and sacked; later freed by Seraphina; escapes by boat and is rescued by Captain Lumsden. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/v) The narrator, who observes the attack and interacts with the Cowper family and Castro. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/vi) Narrator and protagonist; captured, struggles with crew, meets Manuel below deck. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/vii) Listens to Carlos's confession, realizes his earlier suspicions were wrong, and feels remorse. ### [Part III: Casa Riego](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/part-iii-casa-riego) The young Englishman who becomes entangled in the Riego family's affairs, arriving at Casa Riego under mysterious circumstances. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/i) The narrator, overwhelmed by the situation, reflecting on his past and the burden of Carlos' trust. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/ii) Narrator; deeply in love with Seraphina and involved in Carlos's plans against O'Brien. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/iii) Narrator and protagonist; summoned by Father Antonio to Don Carlos's deathbed, warned by Castro, and overhears threats from Manuel. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/iv) Protagonist; declares his love for Seraphina and accepts her gift of trust, feeling both gratitude and disenchantment. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/v) Narrator; receives Seraphina's seal and warnings from Cesar and Castro; feels powerless and contemplates his doom. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/vi) Narrator and protagonist; disguises himself as a Brother of Pity to escape with Seraphina. ### [Part IV: Blade and Guitar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/part-iv-blade-and-guitar) Protagonist; escapes Rio Medio and arrives in Cuba, grappling with his identity and love for Seraphina. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/i) Narrator and protagonist; escapes with Seraphina and Castro, reflecting on his love and the dangers ahead. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/ii) Narrator and protagonist; makes the risky decision to follow the pirates to the English ship. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/iii) Narrator and protagonist; rowing the dinghy, pleading with the English ship, and leading the boarding action. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/iv) Narrator and protagonist; arrives aboard the Lion with Seraphina, defends their situation to Mrs. Williams. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/v) Narrator and protagonist; recounts events, feels elated and in love, receives warnings from Castro and Mrs. Williams. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/vi) Narrator and protagonist, deeply in love with Seraphina, planning escape to Havana. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/vii) Narrator; shelters in cavern with Seraphina and Castro; vows to protect Seraphina but is urged to avoid revenge against O'Brien. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/viii) Narrator; wakes to find Castro missing, grows anxious, and later hears Castro's confession of betrayal. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/ix) Trapped in the cave with Seraphina and Castro, suffering from hunger and thirst, grappling with despair and thoughts of surrender. ### [The Siege of the Cave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/x) Narrator trapped in the cave with Seraphina, struggling with thirst and despair, resisting Manuel's bait. ### [The Escape Plan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/xi) Volunteers to go ashore to find Captain Williams, driven by the urgency of escape and love for Seraphina. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/i) The protagonist, on trial for mistaken identity, refuses to disclose Seraphina's whereabouts to O'Brien. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/ii) Narrator and protagonist; imprisoned in Havana, consumed by love for Seraphina and fear of O'Brien. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/iii) The protagonist, imprisoned in Newgate and awaiting trial for piracy, tormented by the fate of Seraphina and the Lion. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/iv) The protagonist on trial, defending himself against piracy charges. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/chapters/v) The protagonist and prisoner at the bar, experiencing delirium and despair during his trial. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/characters/juan_kemp - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romance_se/characters