# Robert de Passavant — The Counterfeiters character guide > Robert de Passavant in The Counterfeiters by André Gide. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** The Comte de Passavant, Passavant, Comte Robert de Passavant **First appearance:** 0006-iv-vincent-and-the-comte-de-passavant ## Snapshot A wealthy, charming count and literary dandy who collects young men the way other people collect books. ## Who they are Passavant moves through Parisian society with an epigram for every occasion and a secret reason for every friendship — including his sudden interest in Vincent, whom he hires to tend his invalid father. He flatters Olivier, tolerates Vincent, and dismisses his own friends as proven imbeciles, all with the same polished smile. Edouard's journal calls him the type that spreads ruin and receives applause, and his influence over the Molinier brothers is the quiet menace running beneath the novel's social comedy. ## Relationships ### [Vincent Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/vincent_molinier) _psychological_ Robert de Passavant manipulates Vincent, drawing him into a world of vice and moral corruption. ### [Olivier Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/olivier_molinier) _psychological_ Olivier is initially infatuated with Robert de Passavant, who exerts a seductive and corrupting influence over him. ### [Edouard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/edouard) _rivalry_ Edouard and Robert de Passavant are literary and personal rivals, each vying for influence over Olivier. ### [Bernard Profitendieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/bernard_profitendieu) _rivalry_ Bernard dislikes and distrusts Robert de Passavant, seeing him as a corrupting influence on Olivier. ### [Vincent Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/vincent_molinier) _psychological_ Robert de Passavant manipulates Vincent, drawing him into a world of vice and moral corruption. ### [Vincent Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/vincent_molinier) _psychological_ Robert de Passavant manipulates Vincent, drawing him into a world of vice and moral corruption. ### [Olivier Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/olivier_molinier) _psychological_ Olivier is initially infatuated with Robert de Passavant, who exerts a seductive and corrupting influence over him. ### [Olivier Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/olivier_molinier) _psychological_ Olivier is initially infatuated with Robert de Passavant, who exerts a seductive and corrupting influence over him. ### [Edouard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/edouard) _rivalry_ Edouard and Robert de Passavant are literary and personal rivals, each vying for influence over Olivier. ### [Bernard Profitendieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/bernard_profitendieu) _rivalry_ Bernard dislikes and distrusts Robert de Passavant, seeing him as a corrupting influence on Olivier. ### [Bernard Profitendieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/bernard_profitendieu) _rivalry_ Bernard dislikes and distrusts Robert de Passavant, seeing him as a corrupting influence on Olivier. ### [Edouard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/edouard) _rivalry_ Edouard and Robert de Passavant are literary and personal rivals, each vying for influence over Olivier. ## In the story ### [Part I: Paris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/part-i-paris) A cynical and manipulative figure who influences Olivier. ### [Vincent and the Comte de Passavant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/iv-vincent-and-the-comte-de-passavant) Hosts Vincent; offers him money to gamble again; discusses his father's death with cynicism and asks about Olivier. ### [Vincent Meets Passavant at Lady Griffith’s](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/v-vincent-meets-passavant-at-lady-griffith-s) Discusses Vincent with Lilian, bets on Vincent's gambling, and leaves after Vincent's win; mentions his father's death. ### [VII: Lilian and Vincent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vii-lilian-and-vincent) Implied as the source of an invitation Vincent is to pass to Olivier; Lilian reacts with an odd smile. ### [VIII: Edouard and Laura](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/viii-edouard-and-laura) His book 'The Horizontal Bar' is being praised in newspapers, causing Edouard irritation and jealousy. ### [XV: Olivier Visits the Comte de Passavant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xv-olivier-visits-the-comte-de-passavant) Hosts Olivier, flatters him, proposes the review, gives him a copy of The Horizontal Bar with an inscription. ### [XVI: Vincent and Lilian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xvi-vincent-and-lilian) Robert arrives early, engages in witty banter, and is revealed as a potential corrupting influence on Vincent. ### [XVII: The Evening at Rambouillet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xvii-the-evening-at-rambouillet) Listens to Vincent's lecture, then asks Vincent to help arrange for Olivier to travel with him as his secretary; offers a financial opportunity. ### [From Bernard to Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/i-from-bernard-to-olivier) Olivier rushes to him after receiving Bernard's letter, seeking comfort or company. ### [From Olivier to Bernard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vi-from-olivier-to-bernard) Accompanies Olivier in Corsica, finances the review The Vanguard, and is described as a delightful and generous companion. ### [VII: The Author Reviews His Characters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vii-the-author-reviews-his-characters) Dismissed as ruinous and unscrupulous, with a pernicious influence on Olivier. ### [I: Edouard’s Journal: Oscar Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/i-edouard-s-journal-oscar-molinier) Writer and companion of Olivier; Edouard dislikes him and his influence. ### [V: Olivier Meets Bernard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/v-olivier-meets-bernard) Though not present, Passavant's influence looms large. Olivier has adopted his ideas and is committed to meeting him later, causing tension with Bernard. ### [VII: Olivier and Armand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vii-olivier-and-armand) Mentioned as the person Olivier has a rendezvous with, which pressures him to leave Armand. ### [The Argonauts’ Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/viii-the-argonauts-dinner) Makes advances on Sarah; exchanges words with Edouard; manipulates the social situation. ### [XI: Edouard's Journal: Pauline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xi-edouard-s-journal-pauline) Mentioned as the person from whom Olivier's belongings need to be retrieved; Edouard plans to fetch them. ### [XII: Edouard and Then Strouvilhou Visit Passavant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xii-edouard-and-then-strouvilhou-visit-passavant) Receives Edouard and later Strouvilhou; pretends to be glad Olivier is leaving, but is inwardly furious and scheming. ### [XIII: Edouard’s Journal: Douviers’ Profitendieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xiii-edouard-s-journal-douviers-profitendieu) Mentioned; Edouard brought back Olivier’s things from Passavant’s, and Passavant’s new arrangements will necessitate recasting the first number of the review. ### [XVII: Armand and Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xvii-armand-and-olivier) Mentioned as Armand's employer and the editor of the new review; his encounter with Cob-Lafleur is recounted. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/robert_de_passavant - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters