# Seumas Beg — The Crock of Gold character guide > Seumas Beg in The Crock of Gold by James Stephens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Seumas Roghan Maelduin O’Carbhail Mac an Droid, Seumas **First appearance:** 0000-book-i-the-coming-of-pan ## Snapshot A philosopher who abandons his ink-stained books to hunt the truth about Pan, only to find that Thought itself has become his cage. ## Who they are Seumas Beg is one of two philosophers raised in a sunless pine wood, married against his will to a wife who pinches him in bed, and respected throughout the countryside for answering questions no one else could. His real trouble is internal: he has begun to suspect that intellect, the very instrument of his authority, is a maker of chains and traps, and that the head and the heart have never truly met. His journey outward in search of Pan is really a journey through his own delusions, and it sets the book's central argument in motion. ## Relationships ### [Leprecaun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/leprecaun) _family_ Seumas Beg is the Leprecaun's son, and the Leprecaun is protective yet often exasperated by the boy's curiosity and adventures. ### [Brigid Beg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/brigid_beg) _family_ Brigid Beg is Seumas Beg's sister, and they share a close sibling bond, often playing and exploring together. ### [Pan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/pan) _friendship_ Pan befriends the boy Seumas Beg, treating him as a playful companion and guide in the natural world. ### [Caitilin Ni Murrachu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/caitilin_ni_murrachu) _friendship_ Caitilin is kind to Seumas Beg, treating him like a younger brother or a favored child in the community. ### [Thin Woman of Inis Magrath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/thin_woman_of_inis_magrath) _family_ The Thin Woman is Seumas Beg's mother, and she is both nurturing and stern, guiding his upbringing. ### [Leprecaun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/leprecaun) _family_ Seumas Beg is the Leprecaun's son, and the Leprecaun is protective yet often exasperated by the boy's curiosity and adventures. ### [Pan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/pan) _friendship_ Pan befriends the boy Seumas Beg, treating him as a playful companion and guide in the natural world. ### [Leprecaun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/leprecaun) _family_ Seumas Beg is the Leprecaun's son, and the Leprecaun is protective yet often exasperated by the boy's curiosity and adventures. ### [Caitilin Ni Murrachu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/caitilin_ni_murrachu) _friendship_ Caitilin is kind to Seumas Beg, treating him like a younger brother or a favored child in the community. ### [Brigid Beg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/brigid_beg) _family_ Brigid Beg is Seumas Beg's sister, and they share a close sibling bond, often playing and exploring together. ### [Caitilin Ni Murrachu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/caitilin_ni_murrachu) _friendship_ Caitilin is kind to Seumas Beg, treating him like a younger brother or a favored child in the community. ### [Thin Woman of Inis Magrath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/thin_woman_of_inis_magrath) _family_ The Thin Woman is Seumas Beg's mother, and she is both nurturing and stern, guiding his upbringing. ## In the story ### [Book I: The Coming of Pan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/book-i-the-coming-of-pan) Seumas Beg appears as a central figure, possibly the Philosopher. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/i) The little boy born to one Philosopher and the Grey Woman, later swapped to the Thin Woman. He discovers the sunlight in the clearing. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/ii) One of the children, deeply interested in visitors and their problems, learns from overheard conversations. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/iii) Referred to as 'the Philosopher'; he advises Meehawl and deduces the Leprecauns took the washboard. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/iv) Seumas and Brigid weep in sympathy for the weeping Leprecaun. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/v) Plays games with the Leprecaun and follows him into the hole. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/vii) The Philosopher, who listens to Meehawl's troubles, deduces Pan's involvement, and plans to send his children to confront Pan. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/viii) Visits the Leprecauns' underground home, politely greets them, and is measured for shoes. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/ix) Sent by his father to confront Pan; engages in conversation about hunger and wisdom. ### [Book II: The Philosopher’s Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/book-ii-the-philosopher-s-journey) The Philosopher begins his journey to Angus Óg. ### [The Philosopher's Quest and Confrontation with Pan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/x) The Philosopher questions the children about Pan, grows angry, and decides to journey to Angus Óg. He confronts Pan in the cave and engages in a philosophical debate. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/xi) The Philosopher reflects on his own changing opinions about right and wrong, and feels a sense of well-being as he travels. ### [Book V: The Policemen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/book-v-the-policemen) Present during the Philosopher's arrest and the return of the gold. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/xiv) The Philosopher is arrested and escorted through the dark countryside, discoursing on the nature of civilization and animal intelligence. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/xv) The Philosopher, deeply contemplative, meditates on the concept of 'me-ness' and insists on surrendering to the police despite offers of refuge. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/xvi) The Philosopher gives himself up at the barracks, is placed in a cell, and struggles with the mental oppression of imprisonment. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/xvii) Explores the woods with Brigid, digs up a crock of gold, and listens to the Thin Woman's advice. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/seumas_beg - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters