# Arms and the Man — Character guide

> Key figures in Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw.

- [Raina Petkoff](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/raina_petkoff.md): Romantic young Bulgarian woman who idealizes war and love, then confronts reality.
- [Captain Bluntschli](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/captain_bluntschli.md): Professional Swiss soldier who takes refuge in Raina's room and challenges her ideals.
- [Sergius Saranoff](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/sergius_saranoff.md): Brave but foolish Bulgarian cavalry officer engaged to Raina, later drawn to Louka.
- [Catherine Petkoff](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/catherine_petkoff.md): Raina's practical and socially ambitious mother.
- [Major Petkoff](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/major_petkoff.md): Raina's bluff, good-natured father and a Bulgarian army major.
- [Louka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/louka.md): Proud and ambitious servant girl who aspires to rise above her station.
- [Nicola](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/nicola.md): Loyal and pragmatic manservant to the Petkoffs, engaged to Louka.
- [Paul](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/paul.md): A soldier or servant briefly mentioned in the household.
- [The Serbians](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/the_serbians.md): Offstage enemy army in the war between Bulgaria and Serbia.
- [The Petkoffs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/the_petkoffs.md): Collective reference to the Petkoff family.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters