# Rehnhjelm — The Red Room character guide

> Rehnhjelm in The Red Room by August Strindberg.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** that young Rehnhjelm, Lady Rehnhjelm, Mr. Rehnhjelm, young Rehnhjelm, A Soul Overboard Rehnhjelm

**First appearance:** 0002-iii-the-artists-colony

## Snapshot

A young nobleman who abandons his class for the stage and discovers that a theatrical troupe has its own cruelties and hierarchies.

## Who they are

Rehnhjelm enters the theatre hungry for art and is handed a servant's part while a waiter is given Don Diego — a humiliation the company discusses before he has even learned his lines. His earnestness makes him both sympathetic and vulnerable in a world of jealous leading ladies and autocratic managers. His fortunes run alongside Falk's as a second study in what happens to a young man who bets everything on a vocation.

## Relationships

### [Falander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/characters/falander)

_friendship_

Falander and Rehnhjelm are friends and fellow bohemians, often interacting in artistic and social settings.

### [Agnes Rundgren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/characters/agnes_rundgren)

_romantic_

Agnes Rundgren and Rehnhjelm share a romantic relationship, with Rehnhjelm as a suitor or lover.

### [Arvid Falk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/characters/arvid_falk)

_friendship_

Rehnhjelm is a friend and fellow bohemian, part of Arvid's artistic circle.

### [Arvid Falk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/characters/arvid_falk)

_friendship_

Rehnhjelm is a friend and fellow bohemian, part of Arvid's artistic circle.

### [Agnes Rundgren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/characters/agnes_rundgren)

_romantic_

Agnes Rundgren and Rehnhjelm share a romantic relationship, with Rehnhjelm as a suitor or lover.

### [Falander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/characters/falander)

_friendship_

Falander and Rehnhjelm are friends and fellow bohemians, often interacting in artistic and social settings.

### [Falander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/characters/falander)

_friendship_

Falander and Rehnhjelm are friends and fellow bohemians, often interacting in artistic and social settings.

### [Agnes Rundgren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/characters/agnes_rundgren)

_romantic_

Agnes Rundgren and Rehnhjelm share a romantic relationship, with Rehnhjelm as a suitor or lover.

## In the story

### [III: The Artists’ Colony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/iii-the-artists-colony)

A young aristocrat studying under Lundell; he is fond of Sellén but forced to work with Lundell.

### [VI: The Red Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/vi-the-red-room)

His boots, velvet waistcoat, and other belongings are pawned by Sellén without his knowledge; he is encouraged to go on the stage.

### [Bills of Exchange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/ix-bills-of-exchange)

Mentioned as Lady Rehnhjelm, a member of Eugenia's Association for the Promotion of Women's Rights.

### [XI: Happy People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/xi-happy-people)

Accompanies Sellén, subdued because his friend and patron is leaving him.

### [Divine Ordinance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/xiii-divine-ordinance)

Present as Lady Rehnhjelm; argues against printing donors' names in charity reports, calling it disgraceful to publicize good deeds.

### [XIV: Absinthe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/xiv-absinthe)

Seeks Falander's advice about becoming an actor, but finds his ideals challenged.

### [XV: The Theatrical Company "Phoenix"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/xv-the-theatrical-company-phoenix)

Awakens from the orgy, visits the theatre to seek a debut, and becomes infatuated with Agnes.

### [XVI: In the White Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/xvi-in-the-white-mountains)

His letter is read aloud, detailing his brutal treatment at the theatre, his secret engagement to a pure woman, and his despair over the art's corruption.

### [XVII: Natura…](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/xvii-natura)

Agnes's fiancé; strict and proper; has been given the part of a servant in a new play, which humiliates Agnes.

### [XVIII: Nihilism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/xviii-nihilism)

Mentioned in Montanus's letter as the model for Christ in Lundell's altarpiece.

### [XX: On the Altar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/xx-on-the-altar)

Rehnhjelm is overjoyed about being cast as Horatio and defends his optimism against Falander's pessimism.

### [A Soul Overboard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/xxi-a-soul-overboard)

Awakens troubled, confronts Agnes's betrayal, attacks her, and leaves for Stockholm in despair.

### [XXIX: Revue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/xxix-revue)

Now manager of a large factory, visited Borg; became distressed upon reading about Agnes Rundgren.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/characters/rehnhjelm
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_room_se/characters