The Two Noble Kinsmen · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Two Noble Kinsmen by William Shakespeare.
Palamon
major
Also known as Palamon Small, Prince Palamon, Good Palamon, Palamon Sir
One of the two noble kinsmen, imprisoned and in love with Emilia.
Arcite
major
Also known as Arcite Dear Palamon, Cousin Arcite, Arcite Kinsman, Lord Arcite
The other noble kinsman, rival to Palamon for Emilia's love.
Emilia
major
Also known as Emily, Queen Emilia, Emilia Poor wench, Emilia Men, Emilia Half-sights
Sister to Hippolyta, beloved by both Palamon and Arcite.
Theseus
major
Also known as Theseus Ay, Theseus Never fortune, Theseus Sweet, O Theseus, Theseus Cousin
Duke of Athens, who presides over the tournament and the fates of the kinsmen.
Hippolyta
supporting
Also known as Hippolyta In, Hippolyta Sir, Farewell Hippolyta
Queen of the Amazons, wife to Theseus, and sister to Emilia.
Pirithous
supporting
Also known as Pirithous All, Pirithous These, Pirithous Sir, Prince Pirithous, Pirithous O
Friend to Theseus, who supports the kinsmen's cause.
Gaoler
supporting
Also known as Gaoler Lord Arcite, Gaoler Prince Palamon
The jailer who oversees the imprisoned kinsmen and has a daughter.
Daughter
supporting
Also known as Daughter Nay
The Gaoler's daughter, who falls in love with Palamon.
Wooer
supporting
Also known as Wooer O, Wooer Ay
A young man who loves the Gaoler's daughter.
Doctor
supporting
A physician who treats the Gaoler's daughter's madness.
Gerrold
minor
Also known as Gerrold Couple, Gerrold Quo, Master Gerrold
A schoolmaster who organizes the rustic morris dance.
Artesius
minor
Also known as Exit Artesius, Theseus Artesius
An Athenian captain who summons the knights to the tournament.
Valerius
minor
A messenger who brings news from Thebes to Theseus.
First Servant
minor
A servant attending on Theseus or the queens.
First Countryman
minor
Also known as And freckled Nell
A rustic participant in the morris dance.
Messenger
minor
Also known as Messenger Methinks, Enter Messenger
A messenger who reports events of the tournament.
Bavian
minor
Also known as the Bavian, The Bavian
A character in the morris dance, possibly a fool or baboon.
Creon
minor
Also known as cruel Creon
The tyrant king of Thebes, mentioned but does not appear on stage.
Three Queens
minor
Also known as Third Queen, Queen
Three widowed queens who beg Theseus for justice against Creon.
