Titan: A Romance: Analysis of Major Characters

Author: Jean Paul

First published: Titan, 1800–1803, 4 volumes; (English translation, 1862)

Genre: Novel

Locale: Italy and the mythical principalities of Hohenfliess and Haarhaar in Germany

Plot: Epic

Time: The late eighteenth century

Albano (ahl-BAH-noh), the Prince of the mythical German principality of Hohenfliess (HOH-ehn-flees). Albano is a young, fiery, and handsome aristocrat. As the novel begins, he is about to meet his assumed father, Gaspar de Cesara, with whom he spent the first three years of his life on the island of Isola Bella. Albano's complicated history is revealed to him in a letter from his mother, Princess Eleonore, toward the end of the novel. Because his real parents, the rulers of Hohenfliess, feared an attempt on his life by their cunning relatives, the rulers of the neighboring principality of Haarhaar, they arranged that their son be reared by the trustworthy burgher Wehrfritz under the supervision of Gaspard. Consequently, Albano is educated in the quiet countryside with the help of several tutors and emerges as a noble and serious young man who does not yet know the world. He admires, respects, and loves unusual and great individuals. His assumed father, a knight of the Golden Fleece, has attained superhuman status for him, primarily by his absence and invisibility. Albano is the central character of this novel, on whom all events and occurrences focus. The purpose of his entry into society, beginning with the return to the island where he spent his infancy, is the formation of Albano as a worthy successor to the throne of Hohenfliess. Eventually, Albano learns who his true parents and siblings are and becomes acquainted with Roquairol von Froulay, the son of the prime minister of Hohenfliess, who had been held up as a model by his teachers. Roquairol proves to be immoral and deceitful, and after the friendship that Albano had sought with him dissolves, Count Cesara sends him on a trip to Rome so that he can learn to appreciate art. Albano, who still does not know that he is next in line to the throne of Hohenfliess, which in the meantime has been claimed by his older and unknown brother Luigi, expresses his republican inclination in his desire to travel to France to assist the revolutionaries. In the course of the novel, Albano succeeds in emancipating himself from his complex family background and from the passivity of the young, disinterested aristocrat. When Luigi dies and Albano is told of his true birth, he gives up the planned trip to France and, along with his bride, Idoine, becomes the enlightened ruler of Hohenfliess.

Julienne, Albano's twin sister, of whose existence he does not know until he is an adult. Along with their older brother Luigi, Julienne was reared at the court of Hohenfliess. The young princess, whose best friend is Liane von Froulay, shares the sentimentality and tendency toward ecstatic imaginings of her friend. Julienne, who is also Linda's friend, reveals herself to Albano as his sister during his stay in Italy, where she has been visiting with Linda.

Luigi, Albano's older brother, heir to the throne of Hohenfliess. He is a degenerate who wastes his life and suffers from boredom. His face carries an expression of permanent discontent, and his body is bloated from his incontinent eating and drinking habits. When the old prince dies, Luigi, who has married the oldest daughter of the Prince of Haarhaar, becomes ruler of Hohenfliess. He soon dies. Luigi represents the decadent aristocrat who is doomed from birth. Hope lies with Albano, who is not reared at the court.

Liane von Froulay (fon FROW-lay), the daughter of the prime minister of Hohenfliess. Liane is fifteen years old when she first meets Albano, a year and one-half her senior, in the princely gardens of Lilar, where she and her brother are spending some time. Exceptionally beautiful, Liane is also an eager student who excels in music and drawing. Liane and Albano fall in love, but Liane renounces her claim on Albano when she is told his true identity. The young woman, sickly and sentimental, soon becomes fatally ill. On her deathbed, she requests one last visit from Albano. After her death, Albano becomes very ill and recovers only with the appearance of Idoine, his later bride, who resembles Liane.

Roquairol von Froulay (roh-KI-rohl), the son of the prime minister of Hohenfliess. Roquairol is at first Albano's friend but later becomes his enemy. He has a stormy and uneven personality and a temperament given to excess and enthusiasms. In a letter to Albano, he reveals that he has seduced Rabette, believing that Albano will understand his claim that passion has its own rights. Albano's love for his friend turns to hatred after this incident. In the meantime, Roquairol has fallen in love with Linda, who does not return his feelings. He grows to hate Albano and decides to injure his erstwhile friend by deceiving Linda, which he does by imitating Albano's handwriting in a note inviting Linda to a rendezvous. Linda mistakes Roquairol for Albano (she is unable to see well at night) and allows the seduction to take place. Roquairol, who has written a drama titled Der Trauerspieler (“the tragedian”), invites everyone to attend its premiere. The script consists of events from Roquairol's life, with the seduction of Linda as the last scene. At the end of the play, and as an action in it, Roquairol fatally shoots himself.

Falterle (FAHL-tehr-leh), Albano's Viennese fencing teacher. He praises Roquairol and his sister Liane and awakens in Albano the desire to meet them. Basically insecure, he hides behind fancy dress and polite manners. He survives life in the country by escaping to the city, Pestitz, three times a week.

Wehmeier (VAY-mi-ehr), one of Albano's tutors. He is approximately fifty years old and is the father of eight children. His knowledge of science and philosophy is limited, but he knows history well.

Dian (dee-AHN), an architect and later a tutor of Albano. Dian is a Greek who was educated in Greece and Rome. He introduces Albano to the works of Homer and Sophocles. Dian's methods of education consist of giving Albano a reading list in which no specific order prevails.

Schoppe (SHOHP-peh), an honorary librarian and a later tutor of Albano. Albano regards Schoppe, who is outspoken and not easily intimidated, to be his special friend. Schoppe is said to have a southern temperament, which is in conflict with northern culture. Schoppe tries to uncover the secret of Albano's origin and, as the result of his activities, is confined to an insane asylum. There he becomes mentally ill. He dies when he sees his friend and double “Siebenkas.”

Augusti, a lecturer employed by the prince. Augusti, who is thirty-seven years old but appears to be ten years older because of his experience and mode of dress, becomes Albano's chief tutor. His first meeting with Albano occurs on the island of Isola Bella. Together with Schoppe and Dian, who accompanied Albano to the island, he spends several days with him there. Augusti is a member of the court circle and is therefore important for Albano's later education.

Gaspard de Cesara (gas-PAHRD duh say-ZEH-rah), a knight of the Golden Fleece and Albano's assumed father. The narrator indicates that he himself is not certain whether Gaspard is a Spanish or an Austrian knight of the Golden Fleece. Of advanced age, Gaspard is still extremely vital and active. Gaspard spent his early years traveling from court to court, because one place could not contain his restless energy. As the result of his travels, he became acquainted with important and unimportant individuals and with great and insignificant courts. His attitude toward others is evenhanded and un-sentimental; his temperament is composed. When the prince and princess of Hohenfliess searched for a safe haven for Albano, he agreed to become Albano's foster father, provided that Albano would eventually marry his daughter Linda. Gaspard spent only the first three years of Albano's life with him but summons him to return briefly to the island where he spent his infancy when Albano is a young man and ready to enter the world. Gaspard is also responsible for the trip Albano makes to Rome. Such trips were traditional in the aesthetic education of an artist or nobleman. Only after Albano has seen his assumed father is he allowed to visit Pestitz, the major city in Hohenfliess.

Linda de Romeiro, Gaspard's daughter. Albano meets Linda in Italy but does not know that she is his assumed sister because they were reared separately. Linda has the tall and aristocratic bearing of a Spanish noblewoman. Dressed in red silk, she covers her face with a white veil, through which Albano can detect black, serious eyes and a proud, straight nose. Linda and Albano fall in love. In a letter to Albano, Linda describes her travels, which have taken her, like her father, from country to country and court to court. She becomes tired of this mode of life but suffers from the inactivity society forces on women. Linda fears marriage, which she considers to be the end of a woman's freedom and the death of love; she therefore refuses Albano's marriage proposal. When Linda fears that Albano may fall in love with Idoine, who resembles Liane, she decides to marry him after all. After Albano refuses Linda's plea to promise that he never participate in a war, however, Linda leaves. Roquairol, who is also in love with Linda, deceives and seduces her. After Linda, who is now pregnant, discovers her mistake, she leaves, vowing that she hates all men.

Wehrfritz (VEHR-frihts), a landscape architect. Wehrfritz is a good and honest burgher. Albano is reared in his home in Blumenbuhl.

Albine (ahl-BEE-neh), Wehrfritz's wife. She is gentle and concerned about Albano's welfare and loves him like a son.

Rabette (rah-BEHT-teh), Wehrfritz's daughter. Rabette is a healthy and blooming country girl who loves Albano like a brother. She is seduced by Roquairol and spends the rest of her life in mourning and unhappiness.

Idoine (ee-DWAHN), the princess of Haarhaar, the neighboring principality with which Hohenfliess has long been in conflict. Idoine is tall and of noble and majestic appearance. She resembles Liane but has learned self-control and has a well-balanced personality. A friend of Linda and of Julienne, she spent time living in Switzerland, where she improved the economy and life of a village. Ultimately, she marries Albano.