Ulysses · Character
Bella Cohen
The formidable madam of Nighttown's brothel, whose shifting gender and commanding presence preside over Bloom's most abject and liberating hallucinations.
supporting
Also known as Mrs Cohen, Bella Cohen, Bella, Bella Frowns, Mrs Bella Cohen, old Cohen, old Cuck Cohen, Bella Zoe Florry Kitty Ho
First appearance: xiv
As a supporting figure in Ulysses, Bella Cohen is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
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Bella rules her brothel with a whistle and a glare, a massive presence who collects her fees and her dignity in the same breath. In the Circe episode she transforms into the dominatrix Bello, forcing Bloom to confront…
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See Bella Cohen in xivCharacter Web
32 connectionsA slice of how Bella Cohen sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Dublin social network
- Protagonist
- Brothel fantasy figures
+27 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it reveals the protagonist’s psychological breaking point: his…
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