Character Relationship Map: Flesh and the Devil

Characters

• Leo von Harden (played by John Gilbert) — protagonist

  Childhood friend of Ulrich and a German soldier. Infatuated with Felicitas, he kills Count von Rhaden in a duel, is exiled to Africa, and later returns to find her married to Ulrich. Torn by his linge...

• Felicitas (played by Greta Garbo) — supporting

  Wife of Count von Rhaden and childhood friend of Leo and Ulrich. After Leo's exile, she marries Ulrich but repeatedly attempts to rekindle her romance with Leo. Her actions lead to a climactic duel be...

• Ulrich von Eltz (played by Lars Hanson) — supporting

  Childhood friend of Leo and a German soldier. Tasked by Leo to look after Felicitas during his exile, Ulrich eventually marries her. He intervenes to stop Leo from harming Felicitas, leading to a life...

• Leo's Mother (played by Eugenie Besserer) — supporting
• Count von Rhaden (played by Marc McDermott) — supporting

  Powerful German count and Felicitas's husband. Challenges Leo to a duel under a false pretext to protect his reputation, but is ultimately killed by Leo.

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Leo's Mother → Leo von Harden (mother)
• Ulrich von Eltz → Felicitas (Family Married Couple) — Ulrich and Felicitas form a marriage that remains unknown to Leo upon his return.
• Felicitas → Count von Rhaden (Family Married Couple) — Felicitas is secretly married to a powerful nobleman, hiding this fact from Leo.

Story Analysis

A forbidden romance drives two childhood friends toward violence before tragedy restores their recognition of friendship's importance.

Plot Progression

1. Friendship And Hidden Marriage — Two childhood friends become soldiers in Germany while Felicitas secretly marries a powerful count. A soldier's infatuation with Felicitas creates the concealed emotional cause of an honor dispute.
2. The Duel And Exile — The count engineers a duel under a false public pretext, and the soldier kills him. Military punishment sends the soldier to Africa, separating him from Felicitas and his friend.
3. A Return To Betrayal — Intervention shortens the exile, allowing the soldier to return after three years. His hope collapses when he discovers that Felicitas has married his childhood friend.
4. Romance Against Friendship — Felicitas repeatedly attempts to revive her romance despite her marriage. The returning soldier becomes torn between desire and loyalty, while a pastor condemns the association.
5. Ice And Reconciliation — The emotional conflict erupts into violence and a duel between the childhood friends. Felicitas drowns while trying to stop them, leading the two men to abandon the duel and recognize their friendship...