The Social Contract · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
major
Also known as Rousseau, himself
Author and narrator; presents the theory of the social contract and general will.
Thomas Hobbes
supporting
Also known as Hobbes
Philosopher cited for his views on sovereignty and the state of nature.
Hugo Grotius
supporting
Also known as Grotius
Legal theorist referenced in discussions of slavery and the right of the strongest.
John Locke
supporting
Also known as Locke
Philosopher cited in arguments about property and political society.
Niccolò Machiavelli
minor
Also known as Macchiavelli
Political thinker referenced regarding government and princely rule.
Montesquieu
minor
Also known as Montesquieu
Philosopher cited on laws, government forms, and climate theory.
Aristotle
minor
Also known as Aristotle
Ancient philosopher referenced on slavery and natural hierarchy.
Plato
minor
Also known as Plato
Greek philosopher mentioned in context of the Republic and ideal state.
Cicero
minor
Also known as Cicero
Roman statesman and orator cited on law and natural right.
John Calvin
minor
Also known as Calvin
Reformer referenced in discussion of civil religion and Geneva.
Immanuel Kant
minor
Also known as Kant
Philosopher cited on moral law and the categorical imperative.
Servius Tullius
minor
Also known as Servius
Roman king who reformed the comitia and census.
Cato the Elder
minor
Also known as Cato, the elder Cato
Roman censor and moralist cited on virtue and censorship.
Romulus
minor
Also known as Romulus
Legendary founder of Rome, referenced in political founding myths.
Lycurgus
minor
Also known as the great Lycurgus, Lycurgus
Legendary lawgiver of Sparta, cited for his constitution.
Caligula
minor
Also known as the Emperor Caligula, Caligula
Roman emperor cited as example of tyranny and absurd power.
Samuel
minor
Also known as Samuel
Biblical prophet who anointed kings, cited on monarchy.
Muhammad
minor
Also known as Muhammad
Prophet of Islam, referenced in discussion of civil religion.
Tacitus
minor
Also known as Tacitus
Roman historian cited on Germanic tribes and ancient customs.
John Austin
minor
Also known as Austin
Legal positivist cited on sovereignty and command theory.
Peter the Great
minor
Also known as Peter
Russian tsar cited as example of a legislator reforming a nation.
James I and James II
minor
Also known as James I, James II
English monarchs referenced in context of divine right and absolutism.
Emile
minor
Also known as Emile, the Emile, The Emile
Title character of Rousseau's earlier work on education, cited here.
M. Dreyfus-Brisac
minor
Also known as M. Dreyfus - Brisac, M. d’Alembert, M. d’Argenson
Editor or commentator referenced in endnotes or preface.
