Character guide

Candide

major

Also known as little Candide, young Candide, honest Candide, Captain Candide, Mr. Candide

Optimistic young man expelled from his castle, journeying through adventures to find his beloved Cunégonde.

Cunégonde

major

Also known as Miss Cunégonde, the beautiful Cunégonde, Mademoiselle Cunégonde

Candide's beloved, a beautiful young woman who endures many misfortunes across Europe and South America.

Pangloss

major

Also known as Monsieur Pangloss, Doctor Pangloss, Dr. Pangloss, Master Pangloss, Mr. Pangloss, poor Pangloss, the great Pangloss

Candide's tutor, an optimistic philosopher who insists all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.

Martin

supporting

Also known as Mr. Martin

A pessimistic scholar who travels with Candide, offering a cynical counterpoint to Pangloss's optimism.

Cacambo

supporting

Also known as The wary Cacambo, faithful Cacambo

Candide's resourceful valet who accompanies him through South America and helps him escape dangers.

The Old Woman

supporting

A wise and worldly servant who cares for Cunégonde and Candide, sharing her own tragic life story.

Paquette

minor

A young woman who was the chambermaid in the Baron's castle and later becomes a prostitute.

The Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh

supporting

Also known as The Baron, Baron, the Jesuit Baron de Thunder-ten-tronckh, Westphalian Baron

Cunégonde's brother, a Jesuit in Paraguay who opposes Candide's marriage to his sister.

James the Anabaptist

minor

Also known as the honest Anabaptist James, the charitable Anabaptist James, The Anabaptist James, Honest James, the good Anabaptist

A kind Anabaptist who helps Candide and Pangloss in Lisbon before dying in a shipwreck.

Lord Pococurante

minor

Also known as the Lord Pococurante, Pococurante

A wealthy Venetian nobleman who is bored with all his possessions and art.

Friar Giroflée

minor

A discontented friar who becomes Paquette's lover and later meets Candide in Venice.

Don Issachar

minor

Also known as Signor Don Issachar, Issachar

A Jewish merchant who shares Cunégonde with the Grand Inquisitor in Lisbon.

The Grand Inquisitor

minor

A Portuguese church official who claims Cunégonde as his mistress and is killed by Candide.

Mynheer Vanderdendur

minor

Also known as Vanderdendur

A dishonest Dutch merchant who cheats Candide in Surinam and steals his money.

King Theodore

minor

Also known as Theodore

A deposed king met by Candide and Martin at a supper with six strangers.

The Perigordian Abbé

minor

Also known as the Abbé, The Perigordian Abbé, the Perigordian, monsieur Abbé

A French abbé who guides Candide through Paris society and introduces him to entertainments.

Miss Clairon

minor

A famous French actress whom Candide meets during his stay in Paris.

The Marchioness

minor

A Parisian noblewoman who hosts Candide and attempts to seduce him.

The Aga

minor

A Turkish official who buys Candide and his companions as slaves in Constantinople.

Charles Edward Stuart

minor

Also known as King Charles Edward, Charles I

The exiled Stuart pretender to the British throne, met at the supper of six strangers.

Pope Urban X

minor

Also known as Pope, Urban X

Mentioned as the Old Woman's father, a pope who never existed in history.

Archdeacon Trublet

minor

A French literary figure briefly mentioned in the Paris episode.

The Theatin

minor

Also known as the Theatin

A monk who accompanies Candide and Martin in Paris.

The Oreillons

minor

Also known as Oreillons

A tribe of South American savages who capture Candide and Cacambo but later befriend them.

Voltaire

minor

Also known as Trevoux Voltaire

The author appears as a character in the endnotes, commenting on the story.