Foucault's Pendulum

Main Characters and Their Development

• Casaubon: A researcher working at a Milan publishing house. He gradually becomes obsessed with the idea of secret knowledge passed down through the ages by the Knights Templar. His immersion in conspiracy theories leads to fatal consequences.
• Belbo: The deputy director of the publishing house. He is inclined to create complex ciphers and puzzles and shares Casaubon's interest in esoteric texts. As the novel progresses, his attitude towards unraveling mysteries becomes increasingly ironic and skeptical.
• Diotallevi: A captain of a labor anti-fascist group. His deep knowledge of Kabbalistic and Jewish mysticism significantly contributes to the main characters' quest, although his own attitude towards their 'conspiracy project' is rather ironic.
• Lia: The woman with whom Casaubon enters into a relationship. She is portrayed as a grounded and rational woman, contrasting with Casaubon's obsession. Her role becomes crucial at the end of the novel when she helps the main character remain sane and not fully succumb to the darkness of conspiracies.