Georges Duroy, or Georges Du Roy de Cantel

Georges Duroy is the protagonist of the novel. He is a young man raised by peasants in Canteleu who was sent to college to become a gentleman. After his military service in Algeria, Georges came to Paris in the hopes of making his fortune. When the novel begins, he is hungry and broke. He works as a clerk in a railway office.

Georges is remarkably handsome. The narrator says, “Tall, well-built, fair, with blue eyes, a curled mustache, hair naturally wavy and parted in the middle, he recalled the hero of the popular romances” (10). Georges’ beauty attracts practically all women to him and earns him the nickname Bel-Ami. He takes advantage of his extremely good looks by seducing wealthy women with power and influence. He manages to conquer the generous Clotilde, the powerful and intelligent Madeleine, the weak millionaire Virgnie, and...