# Heartbreak House — Character guide

> Key figures in Heartbreak House by George Bernard Shaw.

- [Captain Shotover](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/captain_shotover.md): A retired sea captain and inventor, the eccentric patriarch of Heartbreak House.
- [Ellie Dunn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/ellie_dunn.md): A young, idealistic woman engaged to Mangan but drawn to Captain Shotover.
- [Hesione Hushabye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/hesione_hushabye.md): Captain Shotover's charismatic and manipulative daughter, hostess of Heartbreak House.
- [Hector Hushabye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/hector_hushabye.md): Hesione's handsome, romantic husband who lives in a world of fantasy.
- [Lady Utterword](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/lady_utterword.md): Captain Shotover's other daughter, a worldly and practical woman returned from abroad.
- [Boss Mangan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/boss_mangan.md): A wealthy industrialist and Ellie's fiancé, representing capitalist power.
- [Mazzini Dunn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/mazzini_dunn.md): Ellie's gentle, idealistic father, a man of principles but little practical success.
- [Randall Utterword](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/randall_utterword.md): Lady Utterword's brother-in-law, a dandyish and ineffectual admirer of hers.
- [Nurse Guinness](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/nurse_guinness.md): The household's sharp-tongued and practical nurse and housekeeper.
- [Alfred](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/alfred.md): A former employee of Mangan who becomes a burglar and reveals hidden connections.
- [The Burglar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/the_burglar.md): A comic burglar who breaks into Heartbreak House, later revealed as an old acquaintance.
- [Addy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/addy.md): A friend of the family, mentioned in passing as a social acquaintance.
- [Miss Hessy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/miss_hessy.md): A minor character referenced in the household's social circle.
- [Marcus Darnley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/marcus_darnley.md): A name used by Hector in his romantic fantasies and aliases.
- [Frederick Keeling](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heartbreak_house_se/characters/frederick_keeling.md): A historical figure briefly alluded to in the play's philosophical discussions.

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