Brideshead Character Analysis in Brideshead Revisited

Brideshead is the eldest son of Lord Marchmain and Lady Marchmain, and the older brother of Julia, Sebastian, and Cordelia. Brideshead is a devout Catholic, went to Catholic school, and wanted to be a Jesuit priest before his family persuaded him to go to Oxford. He was deeply affected when his father left home, and has hated Lord Marchmain ever since. Although he is young, Charles observes that Brideshead seems like an old man. He does not seem to have a sense of humor and is unaware and unconcerned when people make fun of him. He makes people feel uncomfortable in social situations but is oblivious to this, which Charles says lends him an air of gravity and commands respect. However, Brideshead is often insensitive and unintentionally hurts people’s feelings. He has boring hobbies, such as matchbox collecting, and has no interest in rebellious or youthful pleasures, such as drinking, dancing, or attending parties. He does not seem to change much as he gets older and seems to take little interest in women. Charles and Julia know little about his life when he is not at Brideshead Castle, and joke about what he may get up to in his spare time. They even joke that he may be a serial killer because he seems so dull and unfathomable to them. His mind seems to work slowly, and he has no head for intellectual matters, which stands in the way of his entry into the priesthood. He eventually marries a middle-class Catholic woman named Beryl Muspratt, who feeds him well and has four children from a previous marriage.

Brideshead Character Timeline in Brideshead Revisited

The timeline below shows where the character Brideshead appears in Brideshead Revisited. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...sinister family.” Anthony describes the Marchmain’s to Charles; he dislikes Julia, and Sebastian’s older brother, Brideshead, and knows nothing of the younger sister, Cordelia, except that her governess committed suicide. Lady... (full context)

Innocence, Experience, and Redemption Theme Icon

...to watch an Agricultural Show that is taking place on the grounds. Sebastian’s older brother, Brideshead, is there, and Charles thinks he has an old-fashioned face. Sebastian says that Brideshead is... (full context)

Sebastian says his family are “mixed” in terms of religion. Brideshead and Cordelia are devout Catholics, while he and Julia are not. His mother is widely... (full context)

...delighted when Sebastian tells her that it was Charles. Cordelia says that she has persuaded Brideshead to stay for dinner with them that evening. (full context)

At dinner, Charles finds Brideshead very strange and serious. He seems much older than Sebastian even though he is not... (full context)

Charles notices that the family always bring the conversation back to religion. Brideshead tells them that the Bishop wants to close their chapel because it does not get... (full context)

After dinner, Brideshead takes Sebastian aside on some business, and Cordelia sits up with Charles. She asks him... (full context)

When Cordelia and Brideshead leave, Sebastian repeats his offer for Charles to come to Venice with him. Charles says... (full context)

...drunk together that night. The next day, Lady Marchmain takes Sebastian home, and Charles and Brideshead clear out his room. Charles is distraught and close to tears, but Brideshead cannot understand... (full context)

...leaves for her supper, and Charles and Sebastian go downstairs to have cocktails. They find Brideshead downstairs, but have only been in the room a few minutes when Wilcox enters and... (full context)

Wilcox never returns, and Charles goes to dress for dinner. He meets Brideshead in the corridor and Brideshead tells him that there will be no drinks left around... (full context)

...and Lady Marchmain asks who will go out on the fox hunt the next day. Brideshead and Cordelia say they will, but Julia says she must stay in to meet Rex... (full context)

Brideshead comes back early, and Charles talks to him about Sebastian. Brideshead says that he hopes... (full context)

...at dinner and tells him to help himself. They eat quickly and in silence before Brideshead sends Sebastian to bed. Charles goes upstairs early, too, and the next morning asks Sebastian... (full context)

...him make his fortune to woo Julia. He puts himself in Lady Marchmain’s way, helps Brideshead out politically, and even pretends to like Catholicism. Although she is not sure if she... (full context)

However, three weeks before the ceremony, Brideshead tells Julia, Rex, and Lady Marchmain that the wedding cannot go ahead. Brideshead has discovered... (full context)

...this is not true, but Lady Marchmain turns faint and is helped to bed by Brideshead. (full context)

Charles goes to Brideshead to tell the family what has happened. Brideshead accepts Charles’s suggestion that Sebastian must be... (full context)

...is, and Cordelia says that it means you can become a nun. She says that Brideshead wanted a vocation but had none, whereas she suspects Sebastian had one and didn’t want... (full context)

...him that Sebastian has completely vanished, and that Cordelia works for an ambulance in Spain. Brideshead lives in Brideshead Castle and is a strange, solitary figure there. Lord Marchmain still remains... (full context)

As they watch the sunset on Brideshead, Julia tells Charles that she wants to marry him and to divorce Rex. Charles doesn’t... (full context)

Julia and Charles have no idea how Brideshead spends his time. They have several running jokes about him. He has no job and... (full context)

While they wait, Brideshead asks Julia if his mother’s jewelry is still upstairs and Julia says it is. When... (full context)

Julia asks why he hasn’t brought her to meet them, and Brideshead says that Beryl is a strict Catholic and he does not want her to meet... (full context)

...of the fountain, still in tears. He tries to comfort her, but she cries that Brideshead is quite right and that, although she has sinned in the past, she now “lives... (full context)

Suddenly, Julia recovers. She gets up, says that Brideshead’s news is a shock, and walks back into the house. She fixes her make-up and... (full context)

After their talk with Brideshead, Charles and Julia go outside again. Charles tries to ask Julia about her outburst: he... (full context)

...his political career is not going well. One afternoon, Julia is invited to lunch with Brideshead’s fiancée. Afterward, Charles asks what she is like, and Julia says she is “common” and... (full context)

While Charles and Julia finalize their divorces and Brideshead prepares to get married, Lord Marchmain suddenly announces that he will return to Brideshead. This... (full context)

...seems pleased that his request has thrown the household into disarray. He complains bitterly about Brideshead’s marriage to Beryl, who he finds unbearably common, and brusquely asks Charles what he will... (full context)

Lord Marchmain complains frequently about Beryl. He does not want her to inherit Brideshead and finds her vulgar and crude. Lord Marchmain says he will leave the house to... (full context)

...and remains at home. However, he also has days when he is very ill. When Brideshead and Beryl come to stay, he refuses to see them, and Charles feels guilty because... (full context)

Lord Marchmain’s health declines further, and two nurses are brought from London. Brideshead is informed that his father is dying, and comes back to the house without Beryl.... (full context)

Cordelia and Cara side with Brideshead, but Charles still strongly objects. Julia becomes irritated when he complains about it, and seems... (full context)

Cordelia and Brideshead take him into the room, but the three exit a moment later and Cordelia and... (full context)

On Brideshead’s last evening, he brings up the subject again and says that, although his father dismissed... (full context)

...the priest is not necessary because only God will know if Lord Marchmain truly repents. Brideshead says this is true, but still feels the priest is important. Cara says that when... (full context)

...surprised to see Charles and does not recognize him at first. She tells him that Brideshead and Beryl’s home was bombed, and their other house seized for offices, so they are... (full context)