# Schomberg — Victory character guide > Schomberg in Victory by Joseph Conrad. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** a certain Schomberg, ass Schomberg, Mrs. Schomberg, the real Mrs. Schomberg, VIII Schomberg **First appearance:** 0004-victory ## Snapshot A Surabaya hotelkeeper whose wounded vanity over a lost girl curdles into a vendetta he lacks the courage to pursue himself. ## Who they are Schomberg runs a respectable establishment built on gossip and table d'hôte dinners, but Heyst's quiet theft of the orchestra girl has left him obsessed and demoralized. He terrorizes his wife with poisoned glances, drinks too much, and lets desperate men lodge under his roof because he cannot resist the chance to aim them at his enemy. His petty malice is the fuse that lights the whole catastrophe. ## Relationships ### [Martin Ricardo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/martin_ricardo) _rivalry_ Ricardo, as Jones's lieutenant, antagonizes and manipulates the hotelkeeper Schomberg, who fears and resents him. ### [Mr. Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/mr_jones) _rivalry_ Jones intimidates and exploits Schomberg, who provides information and lodging under duress, fueling their mutual contempt. ### [Davidson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/davidson) _social_ Davidson and Schomberg are acquaintances in the colonial community, with Davidson often hearing Schomberg's gossip and complaints. ### [Axel Heyst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/axel_heyst) _rivalry_ Schomberg harbors a grudge against Heyst for winning Lena's affection, leading him to betray Heyst to Jones. ### [Lena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/lena) _rivalry_ Schomberg resents Lena for rejecting his advances and choosing Heyst, leading to his vengeful scheming. ### [Martin Ricardo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/martin_ricardo) _rivalry_ Ricardo, as Jones's lieutenant, antagonizes and manipulates the hotelkeeper Schomberg, who fears and resents him. ### [Martin Ricardo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/martin_ricardo) _rivalry_ Ricardo, as Jones's lieutenant, antagonizes and manipulates the hotelkeeper Schomberg, who fears and resents him. ### [Davidson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/davidson) _social_ Davidson and Schomberg are acquaintances in the colonial community, with Davidson often hearing Schomberg's gossip and complaints. ### [Mr. Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/mr_jones) _rivalry_ Jones intimidates and exploits Schomberg, who provides information and lodging under duress, fueling their mutual contempt. ### [Axel Heyst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/axel_heyst) _rivalry_ Schomberg harbors a grudge against Heyst for winning Lena's affection, leading him to betray Heyst to Jones. ### [Axel Heyst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/axel_heyst) _rivalry_ Schomberg harbors a grudge against Heyst for winning Lena's affection, leading him to betray Heyst to Jones. ### [Lena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/lena) _rivalry_ Schomberg resents Lena for rejecting his advances and choosing Heyst, leading to his vengeful scheming. ## In the story ### [Note to the First Edition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/note-to-the-first-edition) Conrad discusses Schomberg as a recurring character, now with deeper passions completing his grotesque psychology, representing a Teutonic type based on long-held conviction rather than recent animosities. ### [Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/victory) A malicious hotelkeeper who harbors resentment toward Heyst and later plots against him. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Schomberg spreads malicious gossip about Heyst, blaming him for Morrison's death, and later gloats over Heyst's isolation on Samburan. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Schomberg spreads scandalous gossip about Heyst, calling him a hermit out of shame. He is the only person besides Davidson's Chinese owner who inquires about Heyst. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-i-v) Furious about Heyst's escape with Lena, denounces Heyst as a 'pig-dog' and worries about the reputation of his hotel. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Described as an unconscionable ruffian; his persecution of Lena prompted Heyst's intervention. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Publicly slanders Heyst, accusing him of spying, robbing Morrison, and kidnapping Lena. He is consumed by rage and continues to gnash his teeth about the elopement. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-i) Watches Heyst with hostility, complaining to customers about Heyst's aloofness and suspecting him of planning a swindle. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Schomberg is portrayed as a predatory figure who prowls around Alma, making her feel trapped and afraid. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-iii) Schomberg's obsession with Heyst is detailed: his wounded vanity, public denunciations, and belief that Heyst ruined his life. His moral weakness leads to corruption. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-iv) Schomberg meets the new arrivals and is disconcerted by Mr. Jones's contemptuous tone and mysterious manner. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-v) Schomberg is consumed by fear and resentment toward Mr. Jones and Ricardo, whom he identifies as desperadoes. He vacillates between wanting to expel them and feeling too intimidated to act, ultimately succumbing to their demands. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-v) Mrs. Schomberg is a timid, crushed figure who is coerced by her husband into searching the guests' luggage. She lives in fear of Schomberg and is described as unattractive and broken. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-vi) Fearful and resentful host of the gambling operation, avoids Mr. Jones and Ricardo, suffers his wife's presence. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-vii) Schomberg engages in a tense conversation with Ricardo, feeling both contempt and fear. He is disturbed by Ricardo's inhuman qualities and the threat posed by the strangers. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-viii) Manipulates Ricardo by slandering Heyst, offering a boat and route for an attack to satisfy his vengeful desires. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-i) Mentioned as having confidently asserted that Heyst's body would be in danger of starvation, which proved false. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-x) Referenced as the source of information about Heyst that led to the current venture. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-ii) Revealed by Ricardo as the instigator of the plot against Heyst. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-xi) Schomberg is mentioned as the source of information about Heyst, having confided in Ricardo. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/schomberg - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters