Character guide

Duke Vincentio

major

Also known as Duke, Duke Escalus, Duke Not Isabel, Duke O, Duke Sirrah, Duke Virtue, Duke Son, Duke Sir, Duke Wise, Duke Silence, Duke Love, Friar Lodowick, Lodowick

The Duke of Vienna who disguises himself as a friar to observe his city's moral state.

Lord Angelo

major

Also known as Angelo, Justice, Justice Lord Angelo, Angelo Maiden, cousin Angelo, this Lord Angelo, Angelo Yea, Angelo Hark, Angelo Benefactors, Angelo Escalus, Exeunt Angelo

The strict deputy left in charge by the Duke, who enforces old laws against fornication.

Isabella

major

Also known as Isabella Alas, Isabella Ay, Isabella Within, Isabella Unhappy Claudio, Isabella Sir, Isabella O, Isabella Justice, Isabella Ha, Isabella Ignomy, Isabella Else, Isabella Gentle, Gentle Isabella, Dear Isabel, Isabel, Sweet Isabel, Servant One Isabel, dear Isabel, O Isabel

A novice nun who pleads for her brother Claudio's life and faces Angelo's corrupt proposition.

Claudio

major

Also known as Claudio Fellow, Claudio The prenzie Angelo, Exit Claudio, Claudio Sweet sister, Claudio Perpetual durance, Enter Claudio, First Gentleman Claudio

Isabella's brother, sentenced to death by Angelo for impregnating Juliet before marriage.

Lucio

supporting

Also known as Lucio Within, Lucio Aside, Lucio Some, Lucio Sir, Lucio Mum, Lucio Lechery, Lucio Carnally, Lucio Friar, Lucio O pretty Isabella, Lucio O, Lucio Who, Lucio Judge, Lucio Ay, Lucio Marry, Exeunt Lucio

A flamboyant and gossipy gentleman who befriends Claudio and later slanders the Duke.

Escalus

supporting

Also known as Duke Escalus, Escalus Aside, Enter Escalus, Escalus Ay, Escalus Nine, Escalus Troth, Lord Escalus

An old, wise lord who advises Angelo and shows mercy in the subplot.

Mariana

supporting

Also known as Mariana Good friar, Exeunt Mariana, Mariana Isabel, Mariana Merely

Angelo's former betrothed, abandoned after her dowry was lost, later helps Isabella.

Provost

supporting

Also known as Exit Provost, Provost This, Provost Angelo, Provost . Duke, Provost Reads, Provost Aside, Provost Sirrah, Provost God, Provost Alack, Enter Provost

The compassionate prison official who carries out the Duke's secret orders.

Pompey

supporting

Also known as Pompey Sir, Pompey Troth, good Pompey, trusty Pompey, noble Pompey, Pompey Bum, Pompey O, Pompey Master Barnardine

A clownish servant to Mistress Overdone who becomes an assistant to the executioner.

Mistress Overdone

minor

A brothel keeper in Vienna who is arrested under Angelo's new strict laws.

Master Froth

minor

Also known as Froth, Good Master Froth, Froth All - hallond eve

A foolish gentleman and customer of Mistress Overdone's brothel.

Elbow

minor

Also known as Enter Elbow, Elbow Ay, Elbow Varlet, Elbow Marry, Master Elbow

A simple-minded constable who brings Pompey and Froth before the judges.

Barnardine

minor

Also known as Pompey Master Barnardine, Master Barnardine, Barnardine Friar, this Barnardine

A drunken prisoner who refuses to be executed on schedule.

Abhorson

minor

Also known as Enter Abhorson, Abhorson Sirrah, Exeunt Abhorson, Abhorson Ay

The grim executioner who takes Pompey as his assistant.

Friar Peter

minor

Also known as Friar, Friar Peter Blessed, Friar Peter

A friar who assists the Duke in his disguise and the final revelations.

Juliet

minor

Also known as Madam Juliet, Juliet Mutually

Claudio's beloved, pregnant with his child, for which he is sentenced to death.

Francisca

minor

A nun who speaks with Isabella at the convent.

Mistress Kate Keepdown

minor

A prostitute who had a child with Lucio.

Ragozine

minor

Also known as One Ragozine

A pirate whose death provides a head to substitute for Claudio's.

Varrius

minor

A lord who accompanies the Duke at the city gates.

Friar Thomas

minor

Also known as Thomas tapster

A friar who helps the Duke obtain his disguise.

Flavius

minor

A minor lord attending the Duke.

Frederick

minor

A minor lord mentioned in the final act.

Young Master Rash

minor

A young man briefly mentioned in a comic exchange.

Julietta

minor

Also known as Madam Julietta

An alternate name for Juliet, used in the stage directions.