Shadow and Bone

by

Leigh Bardugo

Duke Keramsov Character Analysis

Duke Keramsov is the elderly noble who cared for Alina, Mal, and countless other children who were orphaned by the border wars. He educated the orphans in his care and, in Alina’s memory, was a kind and generous benefactor. So, it’s a painful shock for Alina when she encounters Duke Keramsov at the winter fete—and he doesn’t recognize her.
Get the entire Shadow and Bone LitChart as a printable PDF.
Shadow and Bone PDF

Duke Keramsov Character Timeline in Shadow and Bone

The timeline below shows where the character Duke Keramsov appears in Shadow and Bone. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Before
Desperation, Leadership, and Corruption Theme Icon
Class and Privilege Theme Icon
A boy and a girl, orphans from the border wars, arrive at the Duke’s estate within a month of each other. They’re the youngest orphans there, and they quickly... (full context)
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Conformity vs. Individuality Theme Icon
...children exchange glances and grab hands. Nobody sees the look pass between them, but the Duke—who’s spent years on the northern borders where peasant villagers fight battles with little help—would recognize... (full context)
Chapter 4
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Desperation, Leadership, and Corruption Theme Icon
Class and Privilege Theme Icon
...she had powers and she was tested—but she doesn’t add that nobody really cared about Duke Keramsov’s orphans and her dead parents couldn’t help her. Instead, she says she’s not Grisha.... (full context)
Chapter 7
Desperation, Leadership, and Corruption Theme Icon
Class and Privilege Theme Icon
Conformity vs. Individuality Theme Icon
...comes from a peasant family, but her parents are dead and she was raised by Duke Keramsov. The Queen says it’s “marvelous” that Alina is an orphan and warns her to... (full context)
Chapter 12
Conformity vs. Individuality Theme Icon
...write? She remembers how she and Mal used to skate on the frozen creek at Duke Keramsov’s estate and crumples Genya’s note. She wants to forget Mal and Keramzin, but instead... (full context)
Chapter 14
Class and Privilege Theme Icon
Gender, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
Conformity vs. Individuality Theme Icon
...dance and drink. Over the next hour, Alina meets noblemen and military officers. She recognizes Duke Keramsov—but when she greets him, he clearly doesn’t recognize her. It hurts to be reminded... (full context)