Character guide

Orlando

major

Also known as Lord Orlando, the Lady Orlando, the luckless Orlando

A noble poet who lives across centuries, changing gender and exploring identity.

Sasha

supporting

A Russian princess who captivates Orlando in the Elizabethan court.

Nicholas Greene

supporting

Also known as Mr. Nicholas Greene, Nick Greene, Mr. Greene, old Greene

A poet and critic who befriends and later betrays Orlando.

Marmaduke Bonthrop Shelmerdine

supporting

Also known as Bonthrop, Shelmerdine

A sea captain who becomes Orlando's husband in the Victorian era.

Queen Elizabeth

supporting

Also known as old Queen Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Betty

The aging queen who takes a romantic interest in young Orlando.

Archduchess Harriet Griselda

supporting

Also known as the Archduchess, the Archduchess Harriet, the Archduchess Harriet Griselda of Finster-Aarhorn

A persistent suitor who pursues Orlando in Constantinople and later England.

King James

minor

Also known as old King James, King Jamie, James

The Scottish king who succeeds Elizabeth and favors Orlando.

Ben Jonson

minor

A playwright and rival to Shakespeare in Orlando's literary circle.

Mrs. Grimsditch

minor

Also known as good old Mrs. Grimsditch, good old Grimsditch, Grimsditch

The loyal housekeeper at Orlando's country estate.

Mr. Dupper

minor

A minor poet and hanger-on in Orlando's literary circle.

Louise

minor

A servant or companion who appears in Orlando's household.

Mrs. Nelly

minor

Also known as Nell

A woman associated with Orlando's domestic life.

Eusebius Chubb

minor

A minor literary figure encountered by Orlando.

Lady Margaret O'Brien O'Dare O'Reilly Tyrconnel

minor

Also known as the Lady Margaret

A noblewoman who interacts with Orlando in society.

Mr. Addison

minor

Also known as Addison

A writer and critic who visits Orlando in the 18th century.

Shakespeare

minor

The playwright whom Orlando admires and briefly meets.

John Fenner Brigge

minor

Also known as Brigge

A minor character associated with Orlando's later life.

Sir Nicholas

minor

A courtier or nobleman in Orlando's social circle.

Mrs. Bartholomew

minor

Also known as Bartholomew

A woman who appears in Orlando's household.

Captain Bartolus

minor

Also known as Bartolus

A sea captain encountered during Orlando's travels.

Madame du Deffand

minor

Also known as Old Madame du Deffand, Madame

A French salonnière who hosts Orlando in Paris.

Shelley

minor

Also known as Shel

The Romantic poet, briefly referenced in Orlando's literary world.

Lady R.

minor

Also known as old Lady R.

A minor noblewoman in Orlando's acquaintance.

Sir Thomas Browne

minor

Also known as Thomas Browne, Browne

A 17th-century writer whose works Orlando reads.

Christopher Marlowe

minor

Also known as Kit Marlowe, Kit

A playwright contemporary to Shakespeare, mentioned in passing.

Purity

minor

Also known as Lady of Purity

An allegorical figure who appears in Orlando's visions.

Miss Penelope Hartopp

minor

Also known as Miss Penelope

A young woman in Orlando's social circle.

Lady Chastity

minor

An allegorical figure in Orlando's symbolic journey.

Rustum el Sadi

minor

Also known as old Rustum, Rustum

A gypsy leader who hosts Orlando in Turkey.

The Muscovite

minor

A Russian envoy or figure in the Elizabethan court.

John Dryden

minor

Also known as Mr. Dryden, Dryden

A poet and playwright of the Restoration era.

Queen Victoria

minor

Also known as Victoria

The reigning monarch during Orlando's Victorian years.

Miss Nellie Boxall

minor

Also known as Mistress Nell, Nell

A servant in Orlando's Victorian household.

Mrs. Greene

minor

Also known as Greene

The wife of Nicholas Greene, briefly mentioned.

King Charles

minor

Also known as The King, Charles

A monarch referenced in Orlando's historical timeline.

Lord Chesterfield

minor

An 18th-century statesman and writer, mentioned in passing.

Marched Basket

minor

Also known as Basket

A servant or minor functionary in Orlando's estate.

Joe Stubbs

minor

Also known as Stubbs, Joe

A minor character in Orlando's household.

Lord O.

minor

Also known as the Lord O.

A nobleman briefly encountered by Orlando.

James Boswell

minor

Also known as Mr. Boswell

The biographer of Samuel Johnson, mentioned in passing.

John Donne

minor

Also known as Donne

A metaphysical poet whose works Orlando admires.

Jonathan Swift

minor

Also known as Mr. Swift

The satirist, briefly referenced in Orlando's literary circle.

Marshall & Snelgrove

minor

Also known as Marshall, Snelgrove

A department store mentioned in Orlando's Victorian life.

Mr. F. L. Lucas

minor

Also known as Mr. L.

A minor literary figure in Orlando's later years.

Twitchett

minor

A servant or minor character in Orlando's household.

Mrs. Stewkley

minor

A woman in Orlando's social or domestic circle.

Sukey

minor

A servant in Orlando's household.

Lieutenant Brigge

minor

A military officer associated with Orlando's later life.

Marquis of C.

minor

Also known as Mr. M., the Marquis C.

A nobleman encountered in Orlando's social world.