# Barnabas — The Castle character guide > Barnabas in The Castle by Franz Kafka. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the Barnabas **First appearance:** 0004-iii ## Snapshot A young man from a disgraced family who carries letters from the Castle to K. and has never once been given the uniform to prove he is a real messenger. ## Who they are Barnabas is K.'s one live wire to the Castle, delivering messages that may or may not come from Klamm, and he believes in his errand with a sincerity that makes his lack of an official suit painful to watch. His family's disgrace hangs over him, and his sister Olga speaks of his service with a mixture of loyalty and doubt. He matters because he is the book's clearest picture of what it costs to serve an authority that will not confirm you exist. ## Relationships ### [K.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/k) _professional_ Barnabas serves as a messenger for K., delivering letters and information from the Castle, but their interactions are fraught with miscommunication and frustration. ### [Olga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/olga) _family_ Barnabas is Olga's brother, and she fiercely supports and protects him, often mediating his dealings with the Castle and K. ### [Amalia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/amalia) _family_ Amalia is Barnabas's sister, and their relationship is strained by her silent, proud defiance and his desperate attempts to redeem their family's honor. ### [Jeremiah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/jeremiah) _rivalry_ Jeremiah mocks and belittles Barnabas, viewing him as a pathetic messenger and a rival in the Castle's service. ### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/father) _family_ Barnabas is Father's son, and he feels immense pressure to restore the family's honor through his Castle service. ### [K.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/k) _professional_ Barnabas serves as a messenger for K., delivering letters and information from the Castle, but their interactions are fraught with miscommunication and frustration. ### [Olga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/olga) _family_ Barnabas is Olga's brother, and she fiercely supports and protects him, often mediating his dealings with the Castle and K. ### [K.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/k) _professional_ Barnabas serves as a messenger for K., delivering letters and information from the Castle, but their interactions are fraught with miscommunication and frustration. ### [Amalia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/amalia) _family_ Amalia is Barnabas's sister, and their relationship is strained by her silent, proud defiance and his desperate attempts to redeem their family's honor. ### [Olga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/olga) _family_ Barnabas is Olga's brother, and she fiercely supports and protects him, often mediating his dealings with the Castle and K. ### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/father) _family_ Barnabas is Father's son, and he feels immense pressure to restore the family's honor through his Castle service. ### [Jeremiah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/jeremiah) _rivalry_ Jeremiah mocks and belittles Barnabas, viewing him as a pathetic messenger and a rival in the Castle's service. ## In the story ### [The Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/the-castle) A messenger who delivers a letter from Klamm to K., but whose reliability is uncertain. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/ii) Barnabas delivers Klamm's letter to K. and waits for a response; K. finds his presence comforting. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/x) Delivers a second letter from Klamm but is unable to explain the misunderstanding; he promises to carry K.'s new message. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/xv) Barnabas is discussed as a young messenger who is uncertain of his role, afraid to ask questions, and whose reports are questioned by K. ### [Amalia's Punishment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/amalia-s-punishment) Olga's brother, initially ignorant of the affair, who later seeks explanations and shares in the family's despair. ### [Petitions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/petitions) Works as an assistant for Brunswick to barely support the family. ### [Olga's Plans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/olga-s-plans) Olga's brother who enters Castle service; initially ambitious, he becomes prematurely aged and disillusioned. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/xvi) Barnabas arrives with news from Erlanger, reporting his failed attempt to see Klamm and the urgent summons for K. to meet Erlanger at the Herrenhof. ### [Additional Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/additional-note) Member of the pariah family; his letters and the reflections they inspire are noted as emblematic of life's endless interpretations. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters/barnabas - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_2_se/characters