Lothario

(noun) A libertine; a deceiver; a rake. A man who behaves selfishly and irresponsibly in his sexual relationships with women.

Etymology: Name of a character who exhibited the above characteristics in Nicholas Rowe's //The Fair Penitent// (published in 1703).

Significance in Faulkner: The title "Lothario" is used to describe the way that Henry and his college friends perceived Charles Bon in the novel //Absalom, Absalom!:// "Henry who foisted upon him now the role of his sister's intended s during the fall term Henry and his companions had foisted upon Bon the role of Lothario" (Faulkner 81). Charles Bon's "Lothario"-like behavior is eventually Henry's motivation to murder him before Bon marries (and therefore corrupts) Judith.

–Katherine Grau