Death in Venice

Main Characters and Their Development

• Gustav von Aschenbach — the protagonist, a renowned writer experiencing a creative crisis. In search of inspiration, he travels to Venice, where he meets the young Tadzio. Throughout the narrative, Aschenbach undergoes profound internal changes, with his perception of art and life transformed by his obsession with Tadzio. Ultimately, his passion and obsession lead him to a tragic end.
• Tadzio — a young Polish aristocrat vacationing in Venice with his family. He becomes the object of Aschenbach's admiration and obsession. Tadzio symbolizes for Aschenbach the ideal of beauty and youth, yet remains a mysterious and almost mythical figure without a voice of his own in the narrative.