# Michaelis — The Secret Agent character guide

> Michaelis in The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the mild Michaelis, the convict Michaelis, Mr. Michaelis

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

A mild-mannered anarchist lately released from prison, he is writing a book while sheltered by a wealthy patroness in a London suburb.

## Who they are

Michaelis moves through the anarchist circles of London as a figure of gentleness rather than menace, his long imprisonment having left him passive and contemplative. He depends on the hospitality of a rich lady who takes an interest in his welfare, a relationship that makes him both pitied and suspected by comrades who find his mildness suspect. His presence in the story's early and middle stretches offers a quiet counterpoint to the louder, more desperate conspirators around him.

## Relationships

### [Mr. Verloc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/mr_verloc)

_professional_

Michaelis is a fellow anarchist and frequent visitor to Verloc's home, sharing revolutionary ideas but little trust.

### [Chief Inspector Heat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/chief_inspector_heat)

_rivalry_

Heat views Michaelis as a dangerous anarchist and interrogates him regarding the bombing.

### [Stevie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/stevie)

_friendship_

Michaelis shows kindness to the simple-minded Stevie, who admires his revolutionary talk.

### [Comrade Ossipon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/comrade_ossipon)

_professional_

Ossipon and Michaelis are fellow anarchists who interact warily, each with their own agenda.

### [Chief Inspector Heat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/chief_inspector_heat)

_rivalry_

Heat views Michaelis as a dangerous anarchist and interrogates him regarding the bombing.

### [Comrade Ossipon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/comrade_ossipon)

_professional_

Ossipon and Michaelis are fellow anarchists who interact warily, each with their own agenda.

### [Mr. Verloc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/mr_verloc)

_professional_

Michaelis is a fellow anarchist and frequent visitor to Verloc's home, sharing revolutionary ideas but little trust.

## In the story

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/chapters/iii)

Mrs. Verloc declares her affection for him, contrasting him with Karl Yundt.

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

Described as a ticket-of-leave apostle with an invincible humanitarian creed; his obesity and childlike trust are highlighted.

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

Mentioned indirectly via the Assistant Commissioner's note to his wife about dining with Michaelis' great lady.

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

Living in a cottage in the country, writing a book; he is kind to Stevie and offers him a room.

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

Writing a book divided into 'Faith, Hope, Charity,' living on raw carrots and milk, unaware of Verloc's death.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/michaelis
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters