# The Unknown — The Inferno character guide

> The Unknown in The Inferno by August Strindberg.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Unknown, the doctor, my secret friend, Bhrign

**First appearance:** 0002-the-inferno

## Who they are

A nameless doctor and self-styled secret friend who records his descent through sleeplessness, dread, and visions, asking whether his life is a bad joke or a punishment for forgotten sins.

## In the story

### [I: The Hand of the Invisible](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/i-the-hand-of-the-invisible)

The mysterious 'invisible hand' or unknown powers that the narrator feels are persecuting him and guiding his fate.

### [II: St. Louis Leads Me to Orfila](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/ii-st-louis-leads-me-to-orfila)

The narrator experiences a spiritual awakening, converses with the Unknown as a personal acquaintance, and interprets signs as divine guidance.

### [IV: The Fall and Paradise Lost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/iv-the-fall-and-paradise-lost)

The narrator experiences isolation, attempts a miracle, and suffers a series of misfortunes after a defiant act.

### [Extracts from My Journal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/extracts-from-my-journal)

The narrator, isolated and paranoid, reflects on his suffering and spiritual crisis.

### [VI: Hell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/vi-hell)

The narrator experiences a brief respite in the Jardin des Plantes before his paranoia returns, culminating in a night of terror and a conviction that he is in hell.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/unknown_narrator
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/characters