# Théophile Belais — The Revolt of the Angels character guide

> Théophile Belais in The Revolt of the Angels by Anatole France.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Théophile, Meanwhile Théophile

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A fallen archangel scraping by in Paris as a music teacher and dance-hall violinist, still secretly faithful to the God he left for a singer.

## Who they are

Once the archangel Mirar, Théophile now gives violin lessons to children by day and plays in dance saloons by night, having quit heaven for love of a beautiful music-hall singer. When Arcade recruits him for a new celestial revolt, he refuses: he adores the Master he no longer serves and wants no part in politics or reform. His melancholy fidelity—love, not rebellion, caused his fall—sets a tender counterweight to the coming war in heaven.

## Relationships

### [Arcade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/characters/arcade)

_friendship_

Arcade befriends Théophile Belais, a scholarly and eccentric book collector who shares his rebellious ideas.

### [Arcade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/characters/arcade)

_friendship_

Arcade befriends Théophile Belais, a scholarly and eccentric book collector who shares his rebellious ideas.

### [Arcade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/characters/arcade)

_friendship_

Arcade befriends Théophile Belais, a scholarly and eccentric book collector who shares his rebellious ideas.

## In the story

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

A fallen angel who left Heaven for love of Bouchotte; remains faithful to God, avoids politics, and refuses to join Arcade's revolt.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xiii)

The angelic musician who introduces Arcade to Zita and later shows him his preserved, moth-eaten wings.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xiv)

Hosts angelic conspirators in his flat; his operetta manuscript is damaged by Istar.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xvii)

His rooms are filled with bombs left by Prince Istar.

### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xxiii)

Returns home after a discouraging day to find Bouchotte and Maurice; he is grateful for the offer from Madame de la Verdelière.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xxv)

Among Bouchotte's admirers, he is sent away by her.

### [The Conclave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xxvi)

Speaks against the revolt, warning of divine wisdom, but is hissed down.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xxvii)

Plays and sings at Bouchotte's gatherings, absorbed in his music.

### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Sings the barcarole from Aline, Queen of Golconda, flees from the bakers, and is rescued by Arcade and Zita.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/characters/theophile_belais
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/characters