# Dr. Porhoët — The Magician character guide > Dr. Porhoët in The Magician by W. Somerset Maugham. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Porhoët, V Dr. Porhoët, The good Dr. Porhoët **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A retired French doctor who has known Arthur since birth, he collects odd personalities and old books on magic with the same unhurried, academic curiosity. ## Who they are Dr. Porhoët is a retired physician and family friend who has watched Arthur Burdon grow from a boy in Alexandria into a celebrated surgeon. He is a man of wide reading and gentle irony, drawn to strange characters and stranger manuscripts, yet careful never to commit himself to a definite opinion about the occult. His cautious 'perhaps' becomes the story's central question, and his knowledge of what the old wizards attempted makes him both guide and warning to those around him. ## Relationships ### [Susie Boyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/susie_boyd) _friendship_ Dr. Porhoët and Susie are friendly acquaintances who share intellectual conversations and mutual respect. ### [Arthur Burdon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/arthur_burdon) _friendship_ Arthur and Dr. Porhoët are friends and allies, with Dr. Porhoët offering wisdom and support to Arthur. ### [Oliver Haddo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/oliver_haddo) _rivalry_ Dr. Porhoët is suspicious of Oliver Haddo's dark practices and opposes him, though their conflict is largely intellectual. ### [Margaret Dauncey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/margaret_dauncey) _friendship_ Dr. Porhoët cares for Margaret as a friend and tries to warn her about Oliver Haddo's dangers. ### [Arthur Burdon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/arthur_burdon) _friendship_ Arthur and Dr. Porhoët are friends and allies, with Dr. Porhoët offering wisdom and support to Arthur. ### [Susie Boyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/susie_boyd) _friendship_ Dr. Porhoët and Susie are friendly acquaintances who share intellectual conversations and mutual respect. ### [Oliver Haddo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/oliver_haddo) _rivalry_ Dr. Porhoët is suspicious of Oliver Haddo's dark practices and opposes him, though their conflict is largely intellectual. ### [Susie Boyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/susie_boyd) _friendship_ Dr. Porhoët and Susie are friendly acquaintances who share intellectual conversations and mutual respect. ### [Margaret Dauncey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/margaret_dauncey) _friendship_ Dr. Porhoët cares for Margaret as a friend and tries to warn her about Oliver Haddo's dangers. ### [Arthur Burdon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/arthur_burdon) _friendship_ Arthur and Dr. Porhoët are friends and allies, with Dr. Porhoët offering wisdom and support to Arthur. ### [Oliver Haddo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/oliver_haddo) _rivalry_ Dr. Porhoët is suspicious of Oliver Haddo's dark practices and opposes him, though their conflict is largely intellectual. ### [Margaret Dauncey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/margaret_dauncey) _friendship_ Dr. Porhoët cares for Margaret as a friend and tries to warn her about Oliver Haddo's dangers. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/i) An elderly physician and friend of Arthur, with a scholarly interest in alchemy and the occult; he observes Arthur's love and introduces Haddo. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/iii) Observes Haddo with irony, comparing him to Cagliostro and questioning his exotic claims. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/iv) Provides context on Haddo's knowledge of alchemy and the occult, and translates the snake-charmer's incantations. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/v) Hosts the group at his apartment, displays his occult book collection, and recounts a personal story of a sorcerer revealing his mother's death. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/vii) Joins the tea party quietly; appreciates the intimate atmosphere; listens to Haddo's alchemical discourse. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/ix) Margaret seeks his help but finds him out, deepening her sense of abandonment. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/x) Arrives at the studio after receiving Haddo's telegram; discusses the possibility of Haddo's magical influence and the cruelty of the marriage. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as a potential source of occult knowledge; Susie plans to consult him. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/xiii) Dr. Porhoët discusses the history and philosophy of occult science with Susie, offering cautious speculation about hidden truths. He is alarmed by Arthur's deteriorated state and listens to his account of the visit to Venning. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/xiv) Accompanies Arthur and Susie, tries to counsel Arthur to be reasonable. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/xv) Reluctantly leads the necromantic invocation, reciting Latin and unknown languages, and commands the supernatural forces. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/xvi) Present during the struggle and later identifies the cause of Haddo's death as suffocation, also examining the broken arm. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/dr_porhoet - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters