Siddhartha Characters
Every major character in Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, with a portrait, who they are and the chapters they appear in.
SiddharthaProtagonist · 12 chaptersA Brahmin's son turned seeker who rejects dogma, lives many lives, and learns wisdom by listening to the river.
GovindaMajor character · 10 chaptersSiddhartha’s loyal childhood friend who becomes a devoted follower of Gotama and later seeks Siddhartha’s wisdom.
GotamaMajor character · 9 chaptersThe Illustrious One (the Buddha): a calm, perfected teacher whose presence and teaching attract crowds and disciples.
KamalaMajor character · 8 chaptersA celebrated, self-possessed courtesan who becomes Siddhartha’s lover and teacher in the arts of love and refined worldly life.
KamaswamiMinor character · 6 chaptersA wealthy city merchant who employs Siddhartha and introduces him to the rhythms of trade and urban comfort.
The RiverMajor character · 5 chaptersA living, listening presence in the water that teaches Siddhartha by example and voice.
Siddhartha's FatherMinor character · 4 chaptersThe respected Brahmin father of Siddhartha, proud and learned, torn between duty and love when his son seeks to leave home.
VasudevaMajor character · 4 chaptersA humble, attentive ferryman who listens, teaches Siddhartha to learn from the river, and helps guide him to inner peace.
Siddhartha's SonMinor character · 3 chaptersKamala’s well-bred, stubborn son whose grief, arrogance, and flight force Siddhartha into painful fatherhood.
All chapter summaries ›Characters ›
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