Character guide

Master Thaddeus

major

Also known as Thaddeus, Thaddeus Already, Thaddeus Restrained

Young nobleman returning home, central protagonist of the poem.

The Judge

major

Also known as Judge Soplica, Soplica

Thaddeus's uncle and host, a respected local landowner.

Sophia

major

Also known as Sophy, Miss Sophy, Lady Sophia, little Sophy, beloved Sophia

Young ward of the Judge, love interest of Thaddeus.

Mistress Telimena

major

Also known as Telimena, aunt Telimena, Madam Telimena, Fair Telimena

Sophia's elegant guardian, a flirtatious and worldly woman.

Hreczecha

supporting

Also known as The Wojski, the Wojski, Wojski, The ancient Wojski, the ancient Wojski, the Wojski Hreczecha

The Judge's old friend and master of ceremonies, a storyteller.

Gervasy

supporting

Also known as Silently Gervasy, Gervasy none, that rascal Gervasy, the eloquent Gervasy, These Gervasy, Forth Gervasy

The Klucznik (warden) of the Horeszko castle, loyal and vengeful.

Friar Robak

major

Also known as Robak, this Robak, The prudent Robak, whisper Robak, Father Robak

A mysterious Bernardine monk with a secret past and a mission.

The Chamberlain

supporting

Also known as Sir Chamberlain, The Most Illustrious Chamberlain

A high-ranking local official and guest at the Judge's home.

The Count

supporting

Also known as Illustrious Sir Count, Count, Sir Count

A romantic and eccentric young nobleman, a rival for Sophia.

Jankiel

supporting

A wise Jewish innkeeper and musician, a patriot and informant.

Jacek Soplica

major

Also known as Pan Jacek, Jacek, Soplica, That Jacek, Pan Soplica, the late Pan Jacek Soplica

Thaddeus's father, a former hothead turned penitent monk.

Major Plut

minor

Also known as Plut, Major, the Major, So Plut

A Russian officer commanding troops in the area.

Nikita Rykow

minor

Also known as Rykow, Nikita Nikiticz Rykow, Captain Rykow, Stupid old Rykow

A Russian captain, decent but caught in the conflict.

Napoleon

minor

Also known as the Emperor Napoleon, The Emperor, Bonaparte

The French Emperor, a distant hope for Polish independence.

The Pantler

minor

Also known as this Pantler, Pantler

A nobleman mentioned in stories about the Horeszko family.

The Bernardine

minor

Also known as Bernardine, Friar Bernardine, A Bernardine

Another Bernardine monk, companion to Friar Robak.

Kosciuszko

minor

Also known as Thaddeus Kosciuszko

National hero of Poland, invoked as a symbol of freedom.

Protasy

minor

Also known as Protasy Balthasar Brzechalski, Protasius the Wozny, The Wozny, the Wozny, Protasius Brzechalski

The Judge's official summoner and messenger.

General Dombrowski

minor

Also known as Dombrowski, Henry Dombrowski, Henry

Polish general leading the liberation of Poland with Napoleon.

Buchman

minor

Also known as Master Buchman, Pan Buchman

A German-educated lawyer and guest at the Judge's home.

The Penknife

minor

Also known as Penknife, the General The Penknife

A Dobrzynski clansman known for his sharp tongue and weapon.

Matthias Dobrzynski

minor

Also known as Dobrzynski, Matthias, Sir Matthias

An old, respected Dobrzynski clansman, a leader in the foray.

General Kniaziewicz

minor

Also known as Kniaziewicz

Polish general serving under Napoleon, mentioned in the final book.

Tyzenhaus

minor

Also known as Pan Tyzenhaus

A historical figure, former treasurer of Lithuania, mentioned in passing.

Dowejko

minor

A nobleman mentioned in a humorous anecdote about a lawsuit.

Domejko

minor

Also known as Ignatius Domejko

A nobleman mentioned in a humorous anecdote about a lawsuit.

Prince Denassau

minor

Also known as the German Prince Denassau, The German Denassau

A German prince serving in the Russian army, mentioned in battle.

Sokol

minor

A Dobrzynski clansman, participant in the foray.

Bustard

minor

Also known as Young Bustard, The Bustard

A Dobrzynski clansman, participant in the foray.

Bartek

minor

Also known as Cried Bartek of the Awl, The Awl

A Dobrzynski clansman known as 'the Awl', participant in the foray.

The Razor

minor

Also known as Razor, Hissed Razor

A Dobrzynski clansman known as 'the Razor', participant in the foray.

Suwarow

minor

Also known as old Suwarow

Russian general, historical figure mentioned as a past oppressor.

Prince Joseph Poniatowski

minor

Also known as Poniatowski, Joseph, our Prince Joseph, Prince Joseph

Polish prince and military leader, mentioned in the final book.

Jasinski

minor

Also known as Colonel Jasinski, The heroic Jasinski

Polish colonel, hero of the Kościuszko Uprising, mentioned in passing.

Wilbik

minor

Also known as Objected Wilbik

A Dobrzynski clansman, participant in the council.

Kirylo Kozodusin

minor

Also known as Kirylo, Kozodusin

A Russian official, mentioned in a story about a lawsuit.

Painter Orlowski

minor

Also known as Orlowski

A Polish painter, mentioned in a simile.

Skoluba

minor

A Dobrzynski clansman, participant in the foray.

Count Wilczek

minor

Also known as The Count

A nobleman, mentioned in a story about the Horeszko family.

Old Niesiolowski

minor

Also known as Niesiolowski

A Dobrzynski clansman, participant in the council.

Father Matthias

minor

Also known as Father, Matthias, old Matthias

A local priest, mentioned in the final book.

Priest Poczobut

minor

A Jesuit astronomer, mentioned in a simile.

Dejow

minor

Also known as General Dejow

A Russian general, mentioned in the battle.

Alexander I

minor

Also known as Alexander, the Emperor Alexander

Russian Emperor, mentioned in the context of the 1812 campaign.

Wolk

minor

Also known as Wolk of Logomowicze

A nobleman, mentioned in a story about a lawsuit.

Bialopiotrowicz

minor

Also known as George Bialopiotrowicz

A Dobrzynski clansman, participant in the council.

Juraha

minor

A Dobrzynski clansman, participant in the foray.

General Pac

minor

Also known as Pac

Polish general serving under Napoleon, mentioned in the final book.

Charles Radziwill

minor

Also known as Prince Charles Radziwill, Radziwill

A powerful Polish magnate, mentioned in stories.

John Kochanowski

minor

Renowned Polish poet, mentioned in a simile.

Stanislas Augustus

minor

Last King of Poland, mentioned in historical context.

Francis Karpinski

minor

Also known as Karpinski

Polish poet, mentioned in a simile.

Oginski

minor

Polish composer, mentioned for his polonaise.

Rymsza

minor

Also known as Pan Rymsza

A nobleman, mentioned in a story about a feast.

General Mejen

minor

Also known as Mejen

A Russian general, mentioned in the battle.

Sprawnik

minor

Also known as the Sprawnik

A Russian district police officer, mentioned in the story.

Podhajski

minor

A Dobrzynski clansman, participant in the council.

Stryjkowski

minor

Also known as Matthias Stryjkowski

Polish historian, mentioned in a simile.

Sniadecki

minor

Also known as John Sniadecki

Polish astronomer and mathematician, mentioned in a simile.

Mokronowski

minor

Polish general, mentioned in historical context.

Prince Dominic Radziwill

minor

Also known as Prince Dominik Radziwill, Prince Radziwill

A Polish magnate, mentioned in the final book.

Pineti

minor

An Italian painter, mentioned in a simile.