# The Two Noble Kinsmen — Character guide

> Key figures in The Two Noble Kinsmen by William Shakespeare.

- [Palamon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/palamon.md): One of the two noble kinsmen, imprisoned and in love with Emilia.
- [Arcite](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/arcite.md): The other noble kinsman, rival to Palamon for Emilia's love.
- [Emilia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/emilia.md): Sister to Hippolyta, beloved by both Palamon and Arcite.
- [Theseus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/theseus.md): Duke of Athens, who presides over the tournament and the fates of the kinsmen.
- [Hippolyta](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/hippolyta.md): Queen of the Amazons, wife to Theseus, and sister to Emilia.
- [Pirithous](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/pirithous.md): Friend to Theseus, who supports the kinsmen's cause.
- [Gaoler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/gaoler.md): The jailer who oversees the imprisoned kinsmen and has a daughter.
- [Daughter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/daughters.md): The Gaoler's daughter, who falls in love with Palamon.
- [Wooer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/wooer.md): A young man who loves the Gaoler's daughter.
- [Doctor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/doctor.md): A physician who treats the Gaoler's daughter's madness.
- [Gerrold](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/gerrold.md): A schoolmaster who organizes the rustic morris dance.
- [Artesius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/artesius.md): An Athenian captain who summons the knights to the tournament.
- [Valerius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/valerius.md): A messenger who brings news from Thebes to Theseus.
- [First Servant](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/first_servant.md): A servant attending on Theseus or the queens.
- [First Countryman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/first_countryman.md): A rustic participant in the morris dance.
- [Messenger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/messenger.md): A messenger who reports events of the tournament.
- [Bavian](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/bavian.md): A character in the morris dance, possibly a fool or baboon.
- [Creon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/creon.md): The tyrant king of Thebes, mentioned but does not appear on stage.
- [Three Queens](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/three_queens.md): Three widowed queens who beg Theseus for justice against Creon.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters