The Wife of Martin Guerre Character Analysis

Bertrande de Rols

Bertrande de Rols is the protagonist of The Wife of Martin Guerre. When she is 11 years old, she is married to Martin Guerre in a marriage their families arranged. At first, Bertrande is shy… read analysis of Bertrande de Rols

Martin Guerre

Martin Guerre is the son of Monsieur Guerre and Madame Guerre. When Martin is 11 years old, he is married to Bertrande de Rols against his wishes. On their wedding night, Martin boxes Bertrande’s… read analysis of Martin Guerre

Monsieur Guerre

Monsieur Guerre is Martin Guerre’s father and Bertrande de Rols’s father-in-law. He is stern, uncompromising, and gruff. Per the patriarchal rules that govern life in Artigues, Monsieur Guerre is the head of the… read analysis of Monsieur Guerre

The Housekeeper

The housekeeper is a servant in the Guerre household. On Martin Guerre and Bertrande’s wedding night, the housekeeper comes into their bedchamber to serve them a special wedding-night feast. Observing the young Martin and… read analysis of The Housekeeper

Arnaud du Tilh/The Returned Martin

Arnaud du Tilh is the man who returns to Artigues posing as Martin Guerre, whom nobody has seen in eight years. Arnaud du Tilh bears an uncanny resemblance to Martin. Not only does Arnaud… read analysis of Arnaud du Tilh/The Returned Martin

Pierre

Pierre is Monsieur Guerre’s brother. When Monsieur Guerre dies, Pierre takes over as the head of the house. Solid and dependable, Pierre restores a sense of safety to the farm. When the man who… read analysis of Pierre

The Priest

The priest of Artigues becomes an important character after the man who claims to be Martin Guerre returns home. Afraid that her husband is an imposter and that she is therefore committing the sin of… read analysis of The Priest

The Rochefort Soldier

The Rochefort soldier is a friend of Martin Guerre’s from the war. After the man who claims to be Martin Guerre has returned to Artigues, the Rochefort soldier pays him a visit. To the… read analysis of The Rochefort Soldier

Sanxi

Sanxi is Bertrande and Martin Guerre’s son. While Martin is away, Sanxi grows up to be gentle and beautiful like his mother. When a man who claims to be Martin (Arnaud du Tilh… read analysis of Sanxi

Madame Guerre

Madame Guerre is Monsieur Guerre’s wife. Per tradition, Madame Guerre serves and supports her husband. When Monsieur Guerre cruelly breaks several of Martin’s teeth after Martin disobeys him, Madame Guerre supports her husband… read analysis of Madame Guerre

Jean Espagnol

Jean Espagnol is a witness in the trial of Martin Guerre at Rieux. Jean testifies that the man claiming to be Martin Guerre is actually Arnaud du Tilh, whom he has known since birth… read analysis of Jean Espagnol

Minor Characters

Martin’s Youngest Sister

Martin’s youngest sister treats Bertrande kindly, even though she does not believe that Bertrande’s suspicions of Martin are accurate. Before Bertrande goes to Toulouse to testify against the man claiming to be Martin, Martin’s youngest sister kneels before Bertrande and begs her, through tears, not to ruin the family’s happiness.

Madame de Rols

Madame de Rols is Bertrande de Rols’s mother. At her wedding celebration, Bertrande feels shy around her new family, she and stays close to Madame de Rols.

Carbon Bareau

Carbon Bareau is a witness in the trial of Martin Guerre at Toulouse. Weeping, Carbon testifies that Martin is actually his sister’s son, Arnaud du Tilh—a man who has no values and no belief in God, but whose charm gives him a way of “stealing the heart.”