Madame Bovary characters

Emma Bovary is a romantic and dissatisfied woman who seeks to escape her mundane life through affairs and luxury. Her unrealistic desires and financial irresponsibility lead to her tragic downfall.

Charles is Emma's husband, a simple and devoted country doctor. He is oblivious to Emma's affairs and is devastated by her death and the subsequent discovery of her infidelities.

Rodolphe is a wealthy landowner who becomes Emma's first lover. He is charming but ultimately self-serving, abandoning Emma when their affair becomes inconvenient.

Léon is a young law clerk who becomes Emma's second lover. Initially infatuated with Emma, he eventually grows weary of their affair and leaves for Paris.

Homais is the local pharmacist in Yonville and a symbol of bourgeois mediocrity. He is ambitious and self-serving, often meddling in others' affairs.

Lheureux is a merchant and moneylender who exploits Emma's desire for luxury, leading her into financial ruin.

Berthe is the daughter of Charles and Emma. After her parents' deaths, she is sent to live with relatives and ends up working in a cotton factory.

Monsieur Rouault is Emma's father, a farmer who initially introduces Charles to Emma. He is kind but largely unaware of Emma's struggles.

Charles's mother, who is controlling and disapproves of Emma. She is practical and often meddles in Charles's life.

Justin is Homais's assistant who becomes infatuated with Emma. He unwittingly facilitates her access to the arsenic she uses to end her life.