# Matilda — The Monk character guide

> Matilda in The Monk by M. G. Lewis.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Matilda de Villanegas, Poor Matilda, Rosario

**First appearance:** 0005-ii

## Who they are

A novice who hides her face, her sex, and her past behind a cowl, winning the abbot's affection before revealing the passion that will undo him.

## Relationships

### [Ambrosio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/characters/ambrosio)

_psychological_

Matilda manipulates Ambrosio through seduction and demonic influence, leading to his moral ruin.

### [Father Pablos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/characters/father_pablos)

_professional_

Father Pablos is a fellow monk who assists Matilda in her schemes within the monastery.

### [Antonia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/characters/antonia)

_rivalry_

Matilda, disguised as a nun, feigns friendship with Antonia while plotting her ruin.

### [Ambrosio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/characters/ambrosio)

_psychological_

Matilda manipulates Ambrosio through seduction and demonic influence, leading to his moral ruin.

### [Father Pablos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/characters/father_pablos)

_professional_

Father Pablos is a fellow monk who assists Matilda in her schemes within the monastery.

### [Ambrosio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/characters/ambrosio)

_psychological_

Matilda manipulates Ambrosio through seduction and demonic influence, leading to his moral ruin.

### [Antonia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/characters/antonia)

_rivalry_

Matilda, disguised as a nun, feigns friendship with Antonia while plotting her ruin.

### [Antonia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/characters/antonia)

_rivalry_

Matilda, disguised as a nun, feigns friendship with Antonia while plotting her ruin.

## In the story

### [The Monk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/chapters/the-monk)

Disguised as the novice Rosario, she gains Ambrosio's trust and later reveals her love for him.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/chapters/ii)

Reveals her true identity and passionate love for Ambrosio, using her illness and beauty to seduce him into a physical relationship.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/chapters/vi)

Matilda seduces Ambrosio, reveals she is poisoned, and leads him to the cemetery to obtain a mysterious remedy. She displays determination and a disregard for consequences.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/chapters/vii)

Uses a magical mirror to show Ambrosio Antonia undressing, persuading him to accept her demonic aid; reveals her continued surveillance of him.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/chapters/viii)

Implied to have provided the enchanted myrtle that enables Ambrosio's entrance to Antonia's room.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/chapters/ix)

Ambrosio's confidante and co-conspirator. She provides the soporific juice and devises the plan to fake Antonia's death.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/chapters/xi)

Mentioned as having provided the opiate and instructed Ambrosio on its effects; she leads the choristers during the festival.

### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/chapters/xii)

Confesses under torture and is condemned to burn in the auto da fé; her mysterious gift of the magical book is used by Ambrosio.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/characters/matilda
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_monk_se/characters