# Werther — The Sorrows of Young Werther character guide

> Werther in The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** poor Werther, O Werther, Dear Werther, the unfortunate Werther

**First appearance:** 0001-the-sorrows-of-young-werther

## Who they are

A restless, tender-hearted young artist who flees to the countryside seeking peace, only to find his whole soul captured by a woman he cannot have.

## Relationships

### [Charlotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters/charlotte)

_romantic_

Werther is obsessively in love with Charlotte, who is fond of him but bound by duty to Albert.

### [Albert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters/albert)

_rivalry_

Albert is Werther's rival for Charlotte's affection, though they initially maintain a civil friendship.

### [The Servant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters/the_servant)

_professional_

The servant is the intermediary who lends Werther the pistols used for his suicide.

### [The Judge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters/the_judge)

_social_

The Judge is a local dignitary and father of Charlotte, who welcomes Werther kindly.

### [Miss B](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters/miss_b)

_social_

Miss B is a local woman who shows interest in Werther, but he rebuffs her for Charlotte.

### [Wilhelm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters/wilhelm)

_friendship_

Wilhelm is Werther's confidant and the recipient of almost all his letters.

### [Ossian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters/ossian)

_psychological_

The poetry of Ossian mirrors and fuels Werther's romantic despair and obsession.

### [Jane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters/jane)

_social_

Jane is a social acquaintance of Werther through Charlotte's circle.

### [Charlotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters/charlotte)

_romantic_

Werther is obsessively in love with Charlotte, who is fond of him but bound by duty to Albert.

### [Charlotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters/charlotte)

_romantic_

Werther is obsessively in love with Charlotte, who is fond of him but bound by duty to Albert.

### [Albert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters/albert)

_rivalry_

Albert is Werther's rival for Charlotte's affection, though they initially maintain a civil friendship.

### [Miss B](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters/miss_b)

_social_

Miss B is a local woman who shows interest in Werther, but he rebuffs her for Charlotte.

## In the story

### [The Sorrows of Young Werther](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/chapters/the-sorrows-of-young-werther)

The narrator and protagonist. He writes to Wilhelm about his arrival in a new place, his emotional state, and his deep appreciation for nature as a source of comfort.

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/chapters/book-i)

Narrates his philosophical despair, finds solace in Walheim, and details his agonizing, obsessive love for Charlotte, culminating in his decision to depart.

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/chapters/book-ii)

In deep despair; compares his hopeless wandering to the madman's deluded joy; feels tormented by Charlotte's image and his own situation.

### [The Editor to the Reader](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/chapters/the-editor-to-the-reader)

In a state of profound despair and mental agitation; experiences a final, passionate embrace with Charlotte before her rejection; receives the pistols with delight, seeing them as a gift from her.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/chapters/endnotes)

The editor references a passage from one of his letters that has been suppressed.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters/werther
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sorrows_of_young_werther_se/characters