Doctor Faustus

Main Characters and Their Development

• Adrian Leverkühn - the main character of the novel, a talented composer who makes a pact with the devil to reach the heights of art. His life and work reflect the tragedy and decline of German culture in the first half of the 20th century. Throughout the narrative, he gradually loses his humanity and descends into madness.
• Serenus Zeitblom - a friend and biographer of Adrian Leverkühn, who tells his story. He serves as a contrast to the main character, representing moral steadfastness and humanism. His narrative is filled with reflections on Germany's fate and the role of art in society.
• The Devil - a mystical character with whom Adrian makes a deal. He symbolizes temptation and destruction, playing a key role in the protagonist's fate.
• Ines Rodde - Adrian's beloved, whose tragic fate becomes one of the catalysts for his spiritual downfall.
• Rudolf Schwerdfeger - a friend and colleague of Adrian, who also suffers from the consequences of his pact with the devil. His fate reflects the destructive influence of Leverkühn's genius and ambitions on those around him.