# The Countess — The Last Man character guide

> The Countess in The Last Man by Mary Shelley.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Countess, the Countess

**First appearance:** 0002-the-last-man

## Who they are

A mysterious and commanding noblewoman who plays a role in the social dynamics of the story.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-ii)

Adrian's mother, the Ex-Queen, who schemes to control her son, dislikes Lionel's father, and attempts to separate Adrian from Evadne.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-iv)

The Ex-Queen and mother of Idris; she supports Raymond's marriage to Idris and his political ambitions.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-vi)

Plots to take Idris to Austria against her will, attempting to drug her and force her into an arranged marriage.

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

Idris's mother; described as haughty and unbending, leading Idris to have few tender filial associations with her.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-iii)

Travels with her son Adrian.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-v)

Aged Countess of Windsor; has fallen from her dream of power and now devotes herself to winning Adrian's affection; becomes a powerful auxiliary to him.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-vii)

Dies at Dijon, the last tie to the ancient state of things; her death evokes memories of the past world.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters/the_countess
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters