# Zita Reni — The Gadfly character guide

> Zita Reni in The Gadfly by Ethel Voynich.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mme . Zita Reni, Zita, Mme, Reni, Mme . Reni, Zita Reni

**First appearance:** 0010-part-ii-i

## Snapshot

A striking gypsy dancer whose beauty and wandering life draw the Gadfly's attention and unsettle the respectable circles around him.

## Who they are

Zita Reni moves through the story as a figure of colour and freedom, a dancer whose gypsy heritage places her outside the drawing rooms and committees that dominate the political world. Her connection to the Gadfly is intimate and uneasy, marked by his sardonic reserve and her own unguarded warmth. She matters because she reveals a softer, more vulnerable side of a man who otherwise presents only mockery and steel to the world.

## Relationships

### [The Gadfly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/the_gadfly)

_romantic_

Zita is the Gadfly's passionate but ultimately abandoned mistress, representing his inability to commit to love.

### [Martini](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/martini)

_social_

Martini and Zita are acquaintances through the Gadfly, with Martini disapproving of her influence on him.

### [The Gadfly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/the_gadfly)

_romantic_

Zita is the Gadfly's passionate but ultimately abandoned mistress, representing his inability to commit to love.

### [The Gadfly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/the_gadfly)

_romantic_

Zita is the Gadfly's passionate but ultimately abandoned mistress, representing his inability to commit to love.

### [Martini](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/martini)

_social_

Martini and Zita are acquaintances through the Gadfly, with Martini disapproving of her influence on him.

### [Martini](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/martini)

_social_

Martini and Zita are acquaintances through the Gadfly, with Martini disapproving of her influence on him.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-ii-ii)

Introduced as a Hungarian gipsy and the Gadfly's companion; described as handsome but with a cruel expression.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-ii-vi)

Briefly appears at the theatre; expresses disgust at the dirty child and reluctance to help, contrasting with the Gadfly's compassion.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-ii-vii)

Returns home during the night; the Gadfly refuses to let her near him.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-ii-viii)

Sings in the garden, causing the Gadfly distress.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-ii-x)

Waits for the Gadfly's return; expresses fear for his safety and confesses her love; accuses him of caring more for politics and the Cardinal than for her.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-ii-xi)

Mentioned as the Gadfly hopes to avoid her jealous reproaches upon returning home.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/zita_reni
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters