Character guide

Sir Peter Teazle

major

Also known as Sir Peter, Peter, Sir Peter Ay, Sir Peter Sir, Sir Peter Teazle, Sir Peter Egad, Egad, Sir Peter Pshaw, Sir Peter Ah, Sir Peter Allons, Sir Peter Stay, Sir Peter Moral, Sir Peter Sly rogue, Sir Peter Wild, Sir Peter Oons, Sir Peter Grace, Sir Peter Hush, Sir Peter Ha, Sir Peter Hold, Sir Peter Peeping

An older, wealthy baronet married to a young wife; often exasperated by her and the scandalous society around him.

Lady Teazle

major

Also known as Lady Teazle Ay, Lady Teazle See, Lady Teazle Authority, Lady Teazle Lud, O Lud, Lady Teazle Nay, Lady Teazle No, Lady Teazle Peeping, Lady Teazle Good Mr., Lady Teazle Hem, Exit Lady Teazle, Lady Teazle's

Young wife of Sir Peter, fresh from the country; enjoys the intrigues of high society but learns a lesson.

Joseph Surface

major

Also known as Joseph, Joseph Surface Ay, Joseph Surface Ha, Joseph Surface Ah, Joseph Surface That's, Joseph Surface Lady Sneerwell, Joseph Surface Sir, Joseph Surface Maria, Joseph Surface Hush, Joseph Surface Brother, Joseph Surface Madam, Joseph Surface Zounds, Joseph Surface Sir Peter!, Joseph Surface Egad, Joseph Surface Pshaw

A hypocritical, scheming man who pretends to be virtuous while pursuing his brother's fiancée and Lady Teazle.

Charles Surface

major

Also known as Charles, Charles Surface Ay, Charles Surface Egad, Charles Surface Pshaw, Charles Surface What, Charles Surface Right, Charles Surface Sir Peter, Charles Surface Careless, Charles Surface Rowley, Charles Surface Stanley, Charles Surface Joseph, Charles Surface Gentlemen, Charles Surface Lady Teazle

A generous but reckless young man, the brother of Joseph; known for his good heart despite his spendthrift ways.

Sir Oliver Surface

major

Also known as Sir Oliver, Oliver, poor Noll, Noll, Sir Oliver Exceeding frank, Sir Oliver Egad, Sir Oliver Truly, Sir Oliver Aside, Sir Oliver Ay, Sir Oliver Mr. Moses, Sir Oliver Charles, Sir Oliver Doctor, Sir Oliver No, Sir Oliver Ha, Sir Oliver Bags, Sir Oliver Odd, Sir Oliver Hey, uncle Oliver, poor uncle Oliver

Wealthy uncle of Joseph and Charles who returns from India to test his nephews' characters in disguise.

Lady Sneerwell

major

Also known as Lady Sneerwell Ha, Lady Sneerwell Go, Lady Sneerwell True, Lady Sneerwell Ah, Lady Sneerwell O Lud, Lady Sneerwell Ungrateful Charles, Lady Sneerwell Impossible, Lady Sneerwell Heavens, Lady Sneerwell Pshaw, Lady Sneerwell Though, Lady Sneerwell Sir Peter, Lady Sneerwell Poor Charles, Lady Sneerwell Maria, Sneerwell, Exit Lady Sneerwell

A malicious widow who delights in spreading scandal and plots to ruin reputations for her own amusement.

Crabtree

supporting

Also known as Crabtree That, old Crabtree, Crabtree There, Crabtree Who, Crabtree Sir Peter, Crabtree O Lud, Crabtree Nay, Crabtree Austrian, Mr. Crabtree

An elderly, gossipy man who eagerly invents and embellishes scandalous stories about others.

Sir Benjamin Backbite

supporting

Also known as Sir Benjamin, Benjamin, Backbite, dear Sir Benjamin, Sir Benjamin Gad, Sir Benjamin O Lud, Sir Benjamin Hey, Sir Benjamin Ay, Sir Benjamin Dutch, Sir Benjamin No, Sir Benjamin Mr. Surface

A foppish young baronet and nephew of Crabtree, known for his malicious wit and romantic interest in Maria.

Mrs. Candour

supporting

Also known as Candour, Mrs. Candour Impossible, Mrs. Candour Well, Mrs. Candour O dear, Mrs. Candour Ha, Mrs. Candour Nay, Mrs. Candour Truly, Mrs. Candour Though, Mrs. Candour Sir Peter, Exit Mrs. Candour

A society lady who pretends to dislike gossip but eagerly spreads the most damaging rumors.

Rowley

supporting

Also known as old Rowley, honest Rowley, Rowley Below, Rowley Oh, Rowley Here, Rowley Mr. Surface, Rowley Certainly, Rowley Sir Oliver, Rowley Nay, Rowley Ay, Master Rowley

The loyal and wise steward of the Surface family, who aids Sir Oliver in his plans.

Moses

supporting

Also known as honest Moses, Moses Ay, Moses Mr. Premium, little Moses, Moses None, Master Moses, Enter Moses

A Jewish moneylender and broker who assists Sir Oliver in his disguise as Mr. Premium.

Snake

supporting

Also known as Mr. Snake, Snake True, Snake No, Exit Snake

A sly, double-dealing servant of Lady Sneerwell who is willing to betray anyone for money.

Maria

supporting

Also known as Molly Seagrim, Exit Maria, Enter Maria, Maria Lady Teazle

The ward of Sir Peter Teazle, a virtuous young woman loved by both Surface brothers.

Careless

minor

Also known as Careless Ay, Careless Returning, Careless Nay

A friend of Charles Surface, a carefree and witty gentleman who helps with the auction.

Trip

minor

Also known as Mr. Trip

The fashionable and impertinent servant of Joseph Surface.

Servant

minor

Also known as Servants, Servant Mr. Surface, Servant Mr. Crabtree, Servant Lady Sneerwell, Exit Servant, Reenter Servant, my master, My master

Generic household servants who deliver messages and announce visitors.

Mr. Premium

minor

Also known as little Premium, Master Premium

The alias used by Sir Oliver Surface when he visits Charles disguised as a moneylender.

Sir Harry Bumper

minor

Also known as Sir Harry, Harry, Sir Harry Egad, Sir Harry Maria, Exeunt Sir Harry Bumper

A jovial, drinking companion of Charles Surface who sings bawdy songs.

Lady Teazle's Maid

minor

Also known as Deborah

A maid in Lady Teazle's household, briefly mentioned.

Mrs. Evergreen

minor

An elderly society lady mentioned in gossip, still pursuing romantic intrigues.

Miss Piper

minor

Also known as Miss Letitia Piper

A young lady mentioned in the scandalous gossip of the characters.

Mrs. Clackitt

minor

A gossipy woman mentioned as part of the scandal-mongering circle.

Lady Betty Curricle

minor

A fashionable young widow mentioned in the gossip of the play.

Miss Sallow

minor

A plain young lady mentioned in the context of marriage gossip.

Lady Stucco

minor

A society lady mentioned in passing by the gossips.

Miss Simper

minor

A young lady mentioned in the scandalous conversation of the characters.

Ogle

minor

A character mentioned in the gossip about Lady Teazle's conduct.

Sir Tivy Terrier

minor

A gentleman mentioned in the context of a duel or scandal.

Lord Buffalo

minor

A nobleman mentioned in the gossip of the play.

Sir Thomas Splint

minor

Also known as Tom

A gentleman mentioned in passing by the characters.

Sir Richard Raveline

minor

Also known as Richard

A character mentioned in the context of military or social gossip.

Brush

minor

A servant or minor character mentioned in the play.

Sophy

minor

A young woman mentioned in a letter or conversation.

Jenny

minor

A maid or young woman mentioned in the play.

William

minor

A servant or minor character mentioned in the play.

Jonathon

minor

A servant or minor character mentioned in the play.

Nicely

minor

A minor character mentioned in the play.