The Red and the Black · Character

Comte Altamira

An Italian nobleman condemned to death in his homeland, whose grave dignity and conspiratorial past make him the one figure in Paris Julien genuinely respects.

supporting

Also known as Altamira, Comte Altamira, poor Altamira, comte Altamira, Count Altamira

First appearance: Chapter XXXIX. The Ball

As a supporting figure in The Red and the Black, Comte Altamira is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A Liberal and believer condemned to death in his own country; Julien is struck by his contrast of devoutness and love of liberty.

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See Comte Altamira in Chapter XXXV. Sensibility And A Great Pious Lady Book page

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A liberal exile moving through the salons of the Faubourg Saint-Germain, he carries the romance of a man who has looked at a scaffold and kept his composure. His quiet friendship with Julien, and his willingness to discuss Danton and danger without flinching, feeds Mathilde's fascination with heroic destinies. He matters as a mirror of the novel's political undercurrents and as the rare aristocrat whose courage Julien does not have to fake.

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See Comte Altamira in Chapter XXXIX. The Ball

Character Web

17 connections

A slice of how Comte Altamira sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Julien's Parisian circle
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Mathilde’s pride—her defining trait—shatters here as she openly begs Julien for reassurance, weeping and admit…

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In the story

Comte Altamira appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter XXXV. Sensibility And A Great Pious Lady
A Liberal and believer condemned to death in his own country; Julien is struck by his contrast of devoutness and love of liberty.
Chapter XXXIX. The Ball
Shares his revolutionary experiences and cynical views on French society with Julien, influencing his reflections.
Chapter XLVII. An Old Sword
Mentioned as someone who might involve Julien in a conspiracy.
Chapter LV. The Ministry Of Virtue
Advises Julien on Madame de Fervaques and introduces him to Don Diego Bustos for further insight.

Chapter companion notes

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See Comte Altamira in Chapter XXXIX. The Ball

See Comte Altamira in Chapter XXXV. Sensibility And A Great Pious Lady