Gustave von Aschenbach

fictional character
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Gustave von Aschenbach, fictional character in Thomas Mann’s novel Death in Venice (1912). Aschenbach is a well-respected middle-aged German writer whose life is as disciplined and coldly intellectual as his writing. While on holiday in Venice he falls in love with Tadzio, a beautiful 14-year-old boy, and his obsession with the boy leads to his own deterioration and eventual death.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.