# Erik — The Phantom of the Opera character guide > Erik in The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Poor Erik, the weeping Erik, the Opera Ghost, the Phantom **First appearance:** 0001-i-is-it-the-ghost ## Snapshot A dress-coated specter stalking the Opera from cellars to Box Five, whose death's-head face and impossible tricks have turned backstage gossip into genuine terror. ## Who they are Known only as the Opera ghost, he glides through the building like a shadow, speaks to no one, and leaves behind a trail of accidents, extorted allowances, and whispered sightings. Scene-shifter Joseph Buquet describes a skeleton in evening clothes with sunken black eyes and almost no nose; a fireman flees a bodiless head of fire. He is at once blackmailer, prankster, and something worse — a presence the managers inherit like a curse, and the unseen force steering Christine toward a stage she was never meant to leave. ## Relationships ### [Raoul de Chagny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters/raoul_de_chagny) _rivalry_ Erik views Raoul as a romantic rival for Christine's affection and actively schemes against him. ### [Christine Daaé](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters/christine_daae) _psychological_ Christine is both Erik's obsession and his victim, manipulated through his control and her fear mixed with pity. ### [The Persian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters/the_persian) _rivalry_ The Persian has a long history with Erik, knowing his past and opposing his murderous schemes. ### [Mame Giry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters/mame_giry) _professional_ Madame Giry serves as Erik's reluctant intermediary, delivering his notes and enforcing his rules in the theater. ### [Armand Moncharmin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters/armand_moncharmin) _psychological_ Moncharmin is a victim of Erik's extortion and psychological warfare, forced to comply with his bizarre demands. ### [Raoul de Chagny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters/raoul_de_chagny) _rivalry_ Erik views Raoul as a romantic rival for Christine's affection and actively schemes against him. ### [Christine Daaé](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters/christine_daae) _psychological_ Christine is both Erik's obsession and his victim, manipulated through his control and her fear mixed with pity. ### [Mame Giry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters/mame_giry) _professional_ Madame Giry serves as Erik's reluctant intermediary, delivering his notes and enforcing his rules in the theater. ### [Armand Moncharmin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters/armand_moncharmin) _psychological_ Moncharmin is a victim of Erik's extortion and psychological warfare, forced to comply with his bizarre demands. ### [The Persian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters/the_persian) _rivalry_ The Persian has a long history with Erik, knowing his past and opposing his murderous schemes. ### [Christine Daaé](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters/christine_daae) _psychological_ Christine is both Erik's obsession and his victim, manipulated through his control and her fear mixed with pity. ### [The Persian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters/the_persian) _rivalry_ The Persian has a long history with Erik, knowing his past and opposing his murderous schemes. ## In the story ### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/prologue) Referred to as the Opera ghost; the narrator confirms his real existence and later identifies a discovered corpse as his. ### [II: The New Margarita](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/ii-the-new-margarita) Implied as the mysterious man's voice in Christine's dressing room, commanding her love. ### [The Mysterious Reason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/iii-the-mysterious-reason) The Opera ghost; appears uninvited at the supper table, announces Buquet's death, and is described as having a death's-head face with hollow eyes. ### [Box Five](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/iv-box-five) The Opera Ghost; sends letters demanding Box Five and criticizing the managers, and is described by Mame Giry as a regular visitor who leaves gifts. ### [Faust and What Followed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/vii-faust-and-what-followed) The Opera Ghost; causes Carlotta's croak and threatens the chandelier's fall. ### [At the Masked Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/ix-at-the-masked-ball) Appears at the ball disguised as Red Death, recognized by Raoul as the death's head from Perros-Guirec; Christine fears him and prevents Raoul from confronting him. ### [Forget the Name of the Man's Voice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/x-forget-the-name-of-the-man-s-voice) Referred to as the man behind the voice and the Angel of Music; his name is spoken by Raoul, causing Christine's terror. ### [XI: Above the Trap-Doors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xi-above-the-trap-doors) Referred to as 'him' and 'the man's voice'; implied to be working underground and controlling the trapdoors; Christine fears he might hear them. ### [Apollo's Lyre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xii-apollo-s-lyre) Erik is revealed as the Opera Ghost and the Voice; he abducts Christine, confesses his love, and shows his hideous face, alternating between rage and despair. ### [A Masterstroke of the Trap-Door Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xiii-a-masterstroke-of-the-trap-door-lover) Appears as blazing eyes on the roof and later in Raoul's bedroom; his ring is lost, and he is said to be working on Don Juan Triumphant. ### [Christine! Christine!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xv-christine-christine) Implied as the abductor; Raoul recalls his supernatural powers and the underground lair. ### [Mme. Giry’s Astounding Revelations as to Her Personal Relations with the Opera Ghost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xvi-mme-giry-s-astounding-revelations-as-to-her-personal-relations-with-the-opera-ghost) The Opera Ghost; orchestrates the payment scheme, communicates via notes, and is believed by Mme. Giry to have influence over M. Poligny. ### [XVIII: The Commissary, the Viscount and the Persian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xviii-the-commissary-the-viscount-and-the-persian) Identified by Raoul as the Angel of Music and the Opera Ghost; accused of carrying off Christine. ### [The Viscount and the Persian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xix-the-viscount-and-the-persian) Referred to as 'the monster' and 'him'; the Persian recognizes his touch in Christine's abduction. ### [In the Cellars of the Opera](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xx-in-the-cellars-of-the-opera) Referenced as the architect of the secret passages and the cause of the corpses; his presence is feared throughout the descent. ### [Interesting and Instructive Vicissitudes of a Persian in the Cellars of the Opera](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xxi-interesting-and-instructive-vicissitudes-of-a-persian-in-the-cellars-of-the-opera) Referred to as the monster; demonstrates his cunning through the siren trick and his volatile temper; warns the Persian against interfering; works on his composition 'Don Juan Triumphant.' ### [In the Torture Chamber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xxii-in-the-torture-chamber) The Opera Ghost, who gives Christine an ultimatum, expresses his desire for love, and leaves to answer a doorbell, revealing his unstable and possessive nature. ### [XXIII: The Tortures Begin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xxiii-the-tortures-begin) Displays his ventriloquist skills, threatens Christine, and reveals the torture-chamber's purpose; his voice fills the room. ### [XXIV: “Barrels!… Barrels!… Any Barrels to Sell?”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xxiv-barrels-barrels-any-barrels-to-sell) Creator of the torture-chamber; mentioned as having given Christine until 11 PM the next evening. ### [XXV: The Scorpion or the Grasshopper: Which?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xxv-the-scorpion-or-the-grasshopper-which) The Opera Ghost; presents the deadly choice, tears off his mask in rage, and leaves Christine to decide. ### [XXVI: The End of the Ghost's Love Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/xxvi-the-end-of-the-ghost-s-love-story) Erik appears weak and declares he is dying of love for Christine; he describes kissing her forehead and his intention to release Raoul and the Persian. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/epilogue) Referred to as the Opera ghost; his skeleton is found near the little well, wearing a plain gold ring slipped on by Christine Daaé. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/endnotes) His fate and the score of Don Juan Triumphant are speculated upon; the Persian's interest in him is noted. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters/erik - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/characters