Rosa Gryphus

Cornelius van Baerle

Cornelius and Rosa develop a deep romantic bond through their secret collaboration to save the black tulip, overcoming prison walls and social barriers.

Isaac Boxtel

Boxtel obsessively spies on and manipulates Rosa in his jealous quest to steal the black tulip from Cornelius.

William of Orange

Rosa petitions William of Orange for justice and mercy, and he becomes intrigued by her devotion to the tulip.

Gryphus

Gryphus is Rosa's harsh, suspicious father who mistrusts her and treats her with cruelty, though she remains dutiful.

President van Systens

President van Systens, as head of the Horticultural Society, interacts with Rosa as an authority figure judging the tulip competition.

John de Witt

John de Witt briefly interacts with Rosa as a prisoner's advocate, showing kindness before his own tragic death.

Cornelius van Baerle

Cornelius and Rosa develop a deep romantic bond through their secret collaboration to save the black tulip, overcoming prison walls and social barriers.

Cornelius van Baerle

Cornelius and Rosa develop a deep romantic bond through their secret collaboration to save the black tulip, overcoming prison walls and social barriers.

Isaac Boxtel

Boxtel obsessively spies on and manipulates Rosa in his jealous quest to steal the black tulip from Cornelius.

William of Orange

Rosa petitions William of Orange for justice and mercy, and he becomes intrigued by her devotion to the tulip.

William of Orange

Rosa petitions William of Orange for justice and mercy, and he becomes intrigued by her devotion to the tulip.

John de Witt

John de Witt briefly interacts with Rosa as a prisoner's advocate, showing kindness before his own tragic death.

II: The Two Brothers

Briefly mentioned as the jailer's daughter who had earlier spoken with John de Witt about her foreboding.

III: The Pupil of John de Witt

Helps the De Witt brothers escape by providing a key and guiding them through a secret passage, then hides her father Gryphus in a secret dungeon.

IX: The Family Cell

Appears briefly on the staircase, illuminating her face with a lamp; she is distressed by the meaning of her father's words about the 'family cell.'

The Jailer's Daughter

Grateful for Cornelius's help, she warns him of the imminent danger of his trial and offers to facilitate his escape, showing bravery and compassion.

XI: Cornelius van Baerle’s Will

She slips into the door recess to witness the sentencing, sobs, and faints upon hearing the death sentence, but clutches the Bible leaf Cornelius gave her.

What Was Going on All This Time in the Mind of One of the Spectators

Rosa is mentioned as having directed Boxtel to the executioner when he tried to bribe her for the bulbs. She is also noted as a reason (along with William of Orange) that Boxtel's plans failed.

XIV: The Pigeons of Dort

Having secured a transfer for her father, she visits Cornelius in prison, expressing her affection.

XV: The Little Grated Window

Visits Cornelius secretly at night, returns the bulbs, confesses her love, and burns other suitors' letters.

Master and Pupil

Proposes learning to read and write; agrees to follow Cornelius's tulip-growing instructions; keeps her distance from the grating out of self-distrust.

XVII: The First Bulb

Learns to read from Cornelius, reports Jacob Gisels's suspicious behavior, and comforts Cornelius after the bulb is destroyed.

Rosa's Lover

Devoted to Cornelius but hurt by his apparent greater love for the tulip. She reports Jacob's suspicious behavior and agrees to test his intentions.

XIX: The Maid and the Flower

Feels hurt and rejected by Cornelius's words, decides to stop visiting him, but continues her studies and eventually writes to reassure him about the tulip.

The Events Which Took Place During Those Eight Days

She has planted the bulb in her chamber, outwitted Boxtel in the garden, and shares a tender moment with Cornelius.

The Second Bulb

Tender and playful, she enforces a silence about the tulip to assert her own importance, but eventually relents and nurtures both the flower and Cornelius's affection.

The Opening of the Flower

Brings the opened black tulip to Cornelius; she has written the letter herself and arranges for a messenger.

The Rival

The jailer's daughter who lovingly tends the black tulip bulb in her room and shows the flowered tulip to Cornelius before returning to lock her chamber.

The Black Tulip Changes Masters

Distraught and guilt-ridden over the theft; promises to steal her father's keys to free Cornelius, but is caught by Gryphus.

The President Van Systens

Rosa leaves the prison and travels to Haarlem to reclaim the stolen black tulip. She confronts President van Systens, asserting her ownership of the flower.

A Member of the Horticultural Society

Desperate to reclaim the black tulip and clear Cornelius's name, she returns to van Systens to plead her case, despite his impatience.

The Third Bulb

Confronts Boxtel, reveals his alias 'Jacob', and defends Cornelius's innocence before the Prince.

The Hymn of the Flowers

Absent from the cell; Cornelius worries about her safety and the possibility of her being watched or mistreated by her father.

In Which Van Baerle, Before Leaving Loewestein, Settles Accounts with Gryphus

Mentioned as missing; Cornelius fears dying without seeing her or learning about the black tulip.

XXX: Wherein the Reader Begins to Guess the Kind of Execution That Was Awaiting Van Baerle

Summoned to the Town Hall by Prince William, she confesses her love for van Baerle and her disdain for her father's cruelty.

Haarlem

Not present in the crowd, but Boxtel dreads her appearance, which would spoil his triumph.

A Last Request

Mentioned indirectly as the one from whom the tulip was stolen, central to Cornelius's anguish.

Conclusion

Revealed as the true grower of the black tulip; marries Cornelius; learns to read and write and educates their children.