# Bella Cohen — Ulysses character guide

> Bella Cohen in Ulysses by James Joyce.

**Role:** 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:** 0015-xiv

## Snapshot

The formidable madam of Nighttown's brothel, whose shifting gender and commanding presence preside over Bloom's most abject and liberating hallucinations.

## Who they are

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 fantasies of submission, power, and shame he has never spoken. Her brothel is the novel's crucible: what happens under her roof strips Bloom to his core and prepares him to become Stephen's surrogate father.

## Links

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