Death in Venice | Chapter Summaries

Timeline of Events

• Late 1800s

  Gustav von Aschenbach denies his sensuality to become a revered author.

  Chapter 2
• Early May, c. 1911

  Aschenbach yearns to take a break from his work and vacation in an exotic locale.

  Chapter 1
• Three weeks later

  Aschenbach checks into a hotel on the Lido in Venice.

  Chapter 3
• Hours later

  Aschenbach sees Tadzio and becomes enamored with the boy's beauty.

  Chapter 3
• Days later

  For health reasons, Aschenbach plans to leave Venice, but stays when his luggage is lost.

  Chapter 3
• Hours later

  Aschenbach realizes he wants to stay in Venice because of Tadzio.

  Chapter 3
• Days later

  Aschenbach idolizes Tadzio as a god of beauty, which inspires him to write.

  Chapter 4
• Next day

  Aschenbach plans to introduce himself to Tadzio, but decides not to.

  Chapter 4
• Weeks later

  Tadzio smiles at Aschenbach. The flustered writer thinks, "I love you."

  Chapter 4
• End of June

  Ignoring rumors of an epidemic, Aschenbach becomes obsessed with Tadzio and stalks him.

  Chapter 5
• Weeks later

  An Englishman tells Aschenbach cholera has hit Venice.

  Chapter 5
• Hours later

  Aschenbach decides not to warn Tadzio and his family about the cholera.

  Chapter 5
• Hours later

  Aschenbach has a nightmare in which he feels overwhelmed by his sensual, chaotic instincts.

  Chapter 5
• Days later

  Disregarding how he appears to people, Aschenbach wears makeup to attract Tadzio.

  Chapter 5
• Days later

  Aschenbach becomes panicked and overheated when he loses sight of Tadzio in Venice.

  Chapter 5
• Days later

  Aschenbach sees Tadzio beckoning on the beach; he tries to follow but collapses and dies.

  Chapter 5

Chapter Summaries Chart