Table-Talk · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Table-Talk by William Hazlitt.
William Hazlitt
major
Also known as Unknown, mine, himself, your, Our, ourselves, we, our
The narrator and author, reflecting on art, literature, and society.
William Cobbett
supporting
Also known as Cobbett People, Cobbett, Mr. Cobbett, himself
A prominent political writer and reformer, frequently discussed by Hazlitt.
Sir Joshua Reynolds
supporting
Also known as Sir Joshua, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Reynolds, Joshua Reynolds, himself
Renowned painter and first president of the Royal Academy, subject of critical analysis.
John Cavanagh
supporting
Also known as John Cavanagh, Cavanagh, Now Cavanagh, himself
A famous fives player celebrated for his skill and character.
William Wordsworth
supporting
Also known as Mr. Wordsworth, Wordsworth, himself
Leading Romantic poet, discussed in relation to poetry and genius.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
supporting
Also known as Mr. Coleridge, Coleridge, himself
Poet and philosopher, a friend and frequent subject of Hazlitt's reflections.
Edmund Kean
supporting
Also known as Mr. Kean, Kean, himself
Famous tragic actor of the era, praised for his powerful performances.
John Milton
supporting
Also known as Milton, Shakespeare or Milton, Milton or Cromwell
Epic poet, frequently referenced in discussions of genius and literature.
William Shakespeare
supporting
Also known as Shakespeare, Shakespeare or Milton
The Bard, a constant touchstone for Hazlitt's literary criticism.
Charles Lamb
supporting
Also known as Lamb, Mr. Lamb, himself
Essayist and friend of Hazlitt, mentioned in personal and literary contexts.
John Keats
minor
Also known as Poor Keats, The poet Keats, Mr. Keats, himself
Young poet, mourned and discussed for his untimely death and talent.
Percy Bysshe Shelley
minor
Also known as Mr. Shelley, himself
Radical poet, mentioned in relation to his ideas and character.
Lord Byron
minor
Also known as Lord Byron
Celebrated poet, referenced for his fame and literary influence.
Mr. Mounsey
minor
Also known as Mounsey, Mr. Mounsey, himself
A friend or acquaintance of Hazlitt, mentioned in personal anecdotes.
Gertrude
minor
Also known as Gertrude, your
A female figure addressed in a personal or literary context.
Mr. Fearn
minor
Also known as Mr. Fearn, himself
An acquaintance discussed in relation to character and philosophy.
Mr. Owen
minor
Also known as Mr. Owen, himself
Likely Robert Owen, social reformer, mentioned in passing.
George Canning
minor
Also known as Mr. Canning, himself
Politician and statesman, referenced in political commentary.
Mr. Mudford
minor
Also known as Mr. Mudford, Mudford, a Mr. Mudford, himself
A writer or editor, mentioned in a critical context.
Janus Weathercock
minor
Also known as Janus Weathercock, Janus, himself
Pseudonymous critic, referenced in discussions of criticism.
Gandy
minor
Also known as Gandy, himself
An artist or acquaintance, mentioned in personal anecdotes.
Old Sarratt
minor
Also known as old Sarratt, Sarratt, Mrs. Sarratt
A fives player or character from Hazlitt's sporting circle.
Dr. Whittle
minor
Also known as Dr. Whittle
A physician or acquaintance, mentioned in passing.
Mr. Perry
minor
Also known as Poor Perry, Perry, Mr. Perry
A friend or journalist, mentioned in a personal context.
Edmund Burke
minor
Also known as Mr. Burke, Burke
Politician and philosopher, referenced in political and aesthetic discussions.
Mrs. Siddons
minor
Also known as Mrs. Siddons, herself
Famous tragic actress, praised for her performances.
Thomas Paine
minor
Also known as Paine, Mr. Thomas Paine
Political writer and revolutionary, referenced in political commentary.
David Hume
minor
Also known as Hume, Mr. Hume
Philosopher and historian, referenced in discussions of philosophy.
Mr. Taylor
minor
Also known as Taylor, Mr. Taylor, himself
An acquaintance or publisher, mentioned in personal contexts.
Duke of Wellington
minor
Also known as The Duke of Wellington, Cromwell, himself, thy
Military hero and politician, compared to Cromwell.
Sir William
minor
Also known as Sir William, William
A gentleman or acquaintance, mentioned in passing.
Samuel Johnson
minor
Also known as Dr. Johnson, Johnson
Lexicographer and critic, frequently referenced in literary discussions.
Master Betty
minor
Also known as Master Betty, young Betty, Elizabeth, Mr. Betty
Child actor who caused a sensation, discussed in theatrical contexts.
Oliver Goldsmith
minor
Also known as Goldsmith, Goldsmith The great, himself
Writer and poet, referenced for his style and character.
Britton
minor
Also known as Britton, himself
An antiquary or acquaintance, mentioned in passing.
Miss Stephens
minor
Also known as Miss Stephens, herself
A singer or actress, mentioned in theatrical contexts.
Sir James Mackintosh
minor
Also known as Sir James Mackintosh, Sir James, himself
Philosopher and politician, referenced in intellectual discussions.
Martin Burney
minor
Also known as Martin Burney, Burney
A friend of Hazlitt and Lamb, mentioned in personal anecdotes.
Mr. West
minor
Also known as West, 88 West, Mr. West, himself
An artist or acquaintance, mentioned in passing.
Mr. Sharp
minor
Also known as Sharp, Mr. Sharp
An acquaintance, mentioned in personal contexts.
Abraham Tucker
minor
Also known as old Abraham Tucker, Abraham Tucker, Tucker
Philosopher and writer, referenced in philosophical discussions.
George Kirkpatrick
minor
Also known as George Kirkpatrick, himself
An acquaintance, mentioned in personal anecdotes.
Roger Kirkpatrick
minor
Also known as Roger Kirkpatrick, Roger
An acquaintance, mentioned in personal anecdotes.
Mr. Northcote
minor
Also known as Mr. Northcote, Northcote
Painter and friend of Hazlitt, discussed in artistic contexts.
John Kemble
minor
Also known as John Kemble, John, himself
Famous actor, discussed in theatrical criticism.
Mr. Mathews
minor
Also known as Mr. Mathews, himself
An actor or acquaintance, mentioned in passing.
Leigh Hunt
minor
Also known as Leigh Hunt, Hunt, Mr. Leigh Hunt
Poet and essayist, friend of Hazlitt, mentioned in literary contexts.
Mr. Munden
minor
Also known as Munden, Mr. Munden
Comic actor, praised for his expressive face and performances.
Mr. Claremont
minor
Also known as Mr. Claremont
An acquaintance, mentioned in personal contexts.
Dr. Wolcot
minor
Also known as Dr. Wolcot, Wolcot, myself
Satirist and writer (Peter Pindar), referenced in literary discussions.
Benjamin Constant
minor
Also known as Benjamin Constant, himself
French-Swiss writer and politician, referenced in passing.
Sister Mill
minor
Also known as sister Mill, Mill, thee, thou
A female acquaintance, addressed in a personal anecdote.
Robert Southey
minor
Also known as Mr. Southey
Poet and historian, referenced in literary and political contexts.
Mr. Croker
minor
Also known as Mr. Croker, Croker
Politician and writer, referenced in political commentary.
Mr. Montgomery
minor
Also known as Mr. Montgomery
Poet or acquaintance, mentioned in passing.
William Pitt the Younger
minor
Also known as Mr. Pitt
Prime Minister, referenced in political discussions.
Mr. Ayrton
minor
Also known as Ayrton, Mr. Ayrton
An acquaintance, mentioned in personal contexts.
Mrs. Battle
minor
Also known as Mrs. Battle
A character from Lamb's essays, referenced in passing.
Jack Cavanagh
minor
Also known as Jack Cavanagh, one Cavanagh
Another fives player, possibly related to John Cavanagh.
Tom Hill
minor
Also known as Tom Hill
An acquaintance, mentioned in personal anecdotes.
Little Simmons
minor
Also known as little Simmons
A child or young person, mentioned in passing.
