Table of contents:

 

Robert Langdon

Robert Langdon, the protagonist of the narrative, is a professor of Religious Symbology at Harvard University. Interestingly, he becomes the central character unintentionally, as the events and thrills of the story find him rather than him actively seeking them out. By chance, he happens to be in Paris when the curator of the Louvre museum is murdered, and the police insistently call upon him to decipher the enigmatic clues left by the victim. Robert agrees to assist them and is subsequently recruited by Sophie Neveu, another important character, to delve deeper into the clues and uncover the truth behind her grandfather’s murder and her own family’s mysterious past.

Robert is a likable character who possesses traits of being well-respected, intellectually accomplished, and sought-after in his field. His expertise lies in history, art, and religion, and he has authored numerous books in these areas. His life is primarily dedicated to teaching and writing, and he is often invited to speak at various international events, which leads him to be present in Paris at the beginning of the story.

While the narrative focuses on Robert’s professional pursuits, little is mentioned about his personal life, including any familial connections or marital status. However, as the story progresses, a romantic relationship develops between Robert and Sophie, culminating toward the end of the book.

(Click here for Robert Langdon’s detailed biography.)

 

Sophie Neveu

Sophie Neveu, a central character in the novel, is portrayed with greater depth and development. Initially introduced as a police cryptographer summoned to decipher the clues left by Jacques Sauniere’s murder, it is later revealed that she is the granddaughter of the victim and believes the clues were meant for her specifically.

As the story progresses, the reader learns about Sophie’s tragic past. Her parents, brother, and grandmother—all of her family members except her grandfather—were killed in a car accident when she was young. The truth about her family, their identities, the circumstances of their deaths, and whether it was accidental or intentional remained a mystery to her. Her strained relationship with her grandfather, whom she witnessed involved in a pagan sex ritual, led her to move out and sever all ties, despite his continued attempts to reach out through letters and calls.

Throughout the course of the narrative and her adventures, Sophie undergoes significant personal growth. She gradually discovers more about her grandfather, develops a deep affection for him, and mourns his loss. By the story’s conclusion, Sophie uncovers the truth about her family and finds solace in learning about her extraordinary heritage. She is also reunited with surviving members of her family, bringing a sense of closure and completeness to her journey.

Sophie is characterized as a strong and independent woman, capable of making quick decisions in critical situations. She often takes the lead, guiding Robert Langdon to the next steps in their quest. She defies the stereotype of a passive female sidekick and stands as an equal partner to Langdon, matching his intellect, courage, and determination.

 

Jacques Saunière

Jacques Saunière is a central character in Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code, although he appears only briefly at the beginning of the story. Saunière is the curator of the Louvre museum in Paris, and he is murdered in the opening scene of the novel.

Despite his brief appearance, Saunière’s character is crucial to the plot of the novel. He is depicted as a brilliant art historian and curator who is deeply knowledgeable about the history of art and the symbolism behind various works. Saunière is also revealed to be the Grand Master of a secret society known as the Priory of Sion, and he plays a key role in protecting the society’s ancient secrets. He is Sophie’s grandfather, and among his academic interests are Leonardo Da Vinci, goddess iconography, and puzzles. Despite his relatively brief appearance in the novel, his legacy and his secrets have a profound impact on the story’s other characters, particularly Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu.

 

 

Bezu Fache

Captain Bezu Fache works for France’s national criminal-investigation police agency, the Direction Centrale de la Police Judiciaire (DCPJ). He is in charge of looking into the slaying of Louvre Museum curator Jacques Saunière. He is tough, cunning, and relentless. He is depicted like an angry ox in the novel, with wide shoulders flung back and a hard-tucked chin. His protruding brow was separated by an arrow-like widow’s peak that appeared to be the prow of a battleship, and it was highlighted by the oil that was used to smooth back his black hair. His black eyes, which seemed to burn the ground in front of him as he moved forward, gave off a blazing clarity that hinted at his reputation for unwavering harshness in all affairs.

 

Silas

Silas is an albino monk who works for the Catholic group Opus Dei. He is one of the main bad guys in the book. Silas is shown to be a highly religious man who cares a lot about his faith and the work of Opus Dei.

The story shows that Silas is also a very confusing person. Even though he thinks he is doing God’s work by doing what his Opus Dei boss directs him to do, he has a lot of guilt and doubts regarding the killings he has done. To compensate for it, he tortures himself. He takes off his clothes and puts a spiked cilice around his thigh. He wants to feel the purifying effects of his own pain, so he whips himself hard with a heavy knotted rope that slashes into his skin.

Originally his name was not Silas, he didn’t recall the name his parents had given him. He fled home in his childhood. Once when he was wounded seriously, Manuel Aringarosa saved his life with fatherly care. He given him a new name, Silas. And since then, Silas was with him, working for the cause of Opus Dei.

Even though Silas is the bad guy, he is also presented with some sympathy and depth. His sad past and inner struggle make him a unique and interesting character.

 

Sir Leigh Teabing / The Teacher

Sir Leigh Teabing is the major antagonist of the novel. He is a Grail scholar and a British resident in Paris. He has devoted much of his life to the study of the Holy Grail.

He is characterised as being slightly overweight, with a fat belly and a ruby-red face. He has bushy red hair and nice hazel eyes that shine when he speaks. He’s dressed comfortably in slacks and a silk shirt with a paisley-patterned vest over it. Even though he has braces on his legs, he maintains a firm and dignified stance. He is a highly wealthy man who inherited a large fortune. The Queen knighted him some years ago when he wrote a comprehensive history of the House of York. 

Throughout the story, the major antagonist is a secret person known as the “Teacher,” who directs Silas to assassinate the Priory Brotherhood. But, in the end, it reveals that the Teacher is none other than Sir Leigh Teabing himself.

 

Lieutenant Jerome Collet

Lieutenant Jerome Collet is a lieutenant of French police and Bezu Fache’s assistant. In some aspects, Collet is the stereotypical fumbling cop, making repeated mistakes while pursuing Sophie and Langdon. His gaffes stand in stark contrast to Fache’s efficiency. He believes in Sophie’s innocence, though, and eventually proves himself to Fache.

 

Manuel Aringarosa

Bishop Aringarosa is a rich Spanish Bishop who controls Opus Dei in New York. He also helped Simon when he suffered an injury and renamed him Silas, making him feel like a father. Aringarosa wants to be the most powerful Christian in the modern world. He wants the Teacher to use Silas to get the Priory of Sion to disclose where the Holy Grail is so it can be destroyed and the Vatican will always be grateful to him. He offers to pay the Teacher 20 million euros in Vatican bonds, but he doesn’t know what his actions will cost him in the long run because his desire for power makes him blind to the consequences.

 

Sister Sandrine Bieil

A Seneschal of the Priory of Sion and conservatrice d’affaires of St. Sulpice church. She was responsible for overseeing all nonreligious aspects of church operations like general maintenance, hiring support staff and guides, securing the building after hours, and ordering supplies. One night Silas visits St. Sulpice Church in quest of the keystone. When he discovers Sister Sandrine’s connection to Priory of Sion, he murders her in a fit of rage.

 

André Vernet

The president of the Paris division of the Depository Bank of Zurich, André Vernet, resided in a luxurious apartment above the bank. He is a selfish individual who desires great wealth. He is an acquaintance of Saunière and recognises Sophie. He helps her and Langdon in their escape from the police.  He ultimately deceives them and demands the cryptex at gunpoint. However, Sophie and Langdon are able to escape with the cryptex.

 

Rémy Legaludec

Rémy Legaludec is Sir Leigh Teabing’s personal attendant and bodyguard. He is described as  fiercely loyal to Teabing and will go to great lengths to protect him. Throughout the novel, Rémy serves as Teabing’s right-hand man, accompanying him on his quest to uncover the truth about the Holy Grail. But at the climax of the story, he betrays to Teabing because he was originally a follower of the teacher. He sets Silas free. He holds Teabing and forces Langdon to hand over the cryptex.

 

Marie Chauvel

She was Sophie’s grandmother. Twenty-eight years ago, Sophie’s parents were killed in a car accident. After that, for the sake of protection, her grandmother was living underground with her brother under the protection of the Priory.

 

Pamela Gettum

Pamela Gettum is the librarian at the Research Institute in Systematic Theology, London, which possesses one of the most complete and electronically advanced religious research libraries in the world. She helps Langdon and Sophie to search for the ‘tomb of a knight’.

 

Claude Grouard

He is Louvre’s security warden. Grouard is Saunière’s friend and is a very good man.

 

Jonas Faukman

Faukman is the Robert Langdon’s editor. He is portrayed as a typical New York publisher. He desires to make a lot of money but he is also a gentleman with a high standard of personal refinement.

 

Simon Edwards

He is an executive services officer at London’s Biggin Hill Airport. Due to the airport’s service to the private business sector, Edwards caters every need of the extremely wealthy clients.

 

Vittoria Vetra

A lady from Langdon’s earlier life (portrayed in “Angels and Demons”). She just emerges in his mind and highlights how tough it is for him to forget her.

Mary Magdalene

 

 

INTRODUCTION  THEMES AND MOTIFS  CURIOSITY & SUSPENSE  PLOT SUMMARY

CRITICAL REVIEW   STRESSFUL MOMENTS & CLIFFHANGERS

DESCRIPTIONS OF OBJECTS, PLACES, ORGANIZATIONS & PROCESSES  MOVIE ADAPTATION