# The Inferno — Character guide

> Key figures in The Inferno by August Strindberg.

- [The Unknown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/unknown_narrator.md): The narrator and protagonist, a tormented soul seeking spiritual truth through suffering.
- [August Strindberg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/strindberg_august.md): The author and central figure, whose autobiographical journey through hellish trials unfolds.
- [Swedenborg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/swedenborg.md): Mystic philosopher whose writings guide the narrator through spiritual realms.
- [Popoffsky](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/popoffsky.md): A mysterious figure encountered during the narrator's wanderings in Paris.
- [Job](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/job.md): Biblical figure invoked as a model of suffering and patience.
- [Providence](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/providence.md): Divine force guiding the narrator's trials and revelations.
- [Christina](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/christina.md): A woman associated with the narrator's past sins and guilt.
- [The Dane](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/the_dane.md): A fellow traveler and acquaintance in the narrator's European exile.
- [Saul](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/saul.md): Biblical king referenced as a parallel to the narrator's spiritual blindness.
- [Ezekiel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/ezekiel.md): Prophet whose visions echo the narrator's apocalyptic experiences.
- [Christ](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/christ.md): Central figure of redemption and suffering in the narrator's spiritual crisis.
- [The Eternal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/the_eternal.md): God as an inscrutable, punishing presence in the narrator's ordeal.
- [Madame Blavatsky](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/madame_blavatsky.md): Occultist whose theosophical ideas influence the narrator's worldview.
- [Adam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/adam.md): First man, symbol of original sin and fall from grace.
- [Ibsen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/ibsen.md): Playwright whose works are referenced in the narrator's reflections.
- [David](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/david.md): Biblical king and psalmist, a figure of repentance and divine favor.
- [The Devil](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/the_devil.md): Satanic tempter appearing in the narrator's hellish visions.
- [Nietzsche](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/nietzsche.md): Philosopher whose ideas on suffering and power are debated.
- [Francis Schlatter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/francis_schlatter.md): Healer and mystic briefly mentioned in the narrator's travels.
- [The Russian](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/the_russian.md): A mysterious acquaintance encountered during the narrator's exile.
- [Luther](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/luther.md): Reformer whose theological struggles mirror the narrator's own.
- [Sar Peladan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/sar_peladan.md): Occultist and writer referenced in the narrator's esoteric interests.
- [Sphinx](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/sphinx.md): Mythical creature symbolizing mystery and the narrator's riddles.
- [St. Vincent de Paul](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/st_vincent_de_paul.md): Saint invoked as a model of charity and spiritual guidance.
- [Satan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/satan.md): Adversary figure in the narrator's infernal visions.
- [Orpheus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/orpheus.md): Mythical poet who descends to the underworld, paralleling the narrator.
- [Dante](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/dante.md): Poet whose Divine Comedy inspires the book's structure and themes.
- [Napoleon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/napoleon.md): Historical figure used as a symbol of ambition and fall.
- [Schumann](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/schumann.md): Composer whose music is referenced in the narrator's emotional states.
- [Balzac](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/balzac.md): Novelist mentioned in passing during the narrator's literary reflections.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inferno_se/characters