# The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman — Character guide

> Key figures in The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne.

- [Tristram Shandy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/tristram_shandy.md): The narrator and protagonist, whose life and opinions form the book's chaotic structure.
- [Uncle Toby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/uncle_toby.md): Tristram's gentle, war-obsessed uncle, known for his hobby-horse of fortifications.
- [Corporal Trim](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/corporal_trim.md): Uncle Toby's loyal and loquacious former servant, a key figure in the Shandy household.
- [Mr. Yorick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/mr_yorick.md): The witty and unfortunate parson, a friend of the Shandy family and a stand-in for Sterne.
- [Dr. Slop](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/dr_slop.md): The bumbling, opinionated man-midwife who delivers Tristram with disastrous results.
- [Mrs. Shandy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/mrs_shandy.md): Tristram's mother, often silent but a crucial foil to her husband's philosophical rants.
- [Walter Shandy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/walter_shandy.md): Tristram's father, a man of elaborate theories and frustrated intellectual ambitions.
- [Obadiah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/obadiah.md): The Shandy family's slow-witted but loyal servant, often sent on errands.
- [Susannah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/susannah.md): The Shandys' maid, involved in the chaotic events of Tristram's birth and childhood.
- [Bridget](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/bridget.md): Mrs. Wadman's maid, who has a romantic subplot with Corporal Trim.
- [Mrs. Wadman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/mrs_wadman.md): The widow who pursues Uncle Toby romantically, leading to comic misunderstandings.
- [Eugenius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/eugenius.md): A friend of Yorick and Tristram, often offering wise or ironic commentary.
- [Phutatorius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/phutatorius.md): A pompous and learned churchman involved in a memorable hot chestnut incident.
- [Didius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/didius.md): A scholarly church lawyer who debates with Walter and others.
- [Kysarcius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/kysarcius.md): A pedantic scholar who participates in learned debates on noses and baptism.
- [Le Fever](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/le_fever.md): A dying lieutenant whose son is taken in by Uncle Toby and Trim.
- [Hafen Slawkenbergius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/hafen_slawkenbergius.md): A fictional German author whose treatise on noses is a running joke.
- [Diego](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/diego.md): A mysterious stranger with a large nose, central to Slawkenbergius's tale.
- [Maria](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/maria.md): A mad, grief-stricken peasant girl encountered by Tristram on his travels.
- [Gymnast](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/gymnast.md): A character in a comic tale, known for his agility and wit.
- [Widow Wadman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/widow_wadman.md): Alternate name for Mrs. Wadman, the amorous neighbor of Uncle Toby.
- [La Fosseuse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/la_fosseuse.md): A French maid in a tale, involved in a comic misunderstanding.
- [Prignitz](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/prignitz.md): A German scholar cited in learned debates about noses.
- [Scroderus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/scroderus.md): A learned authority on noses, quoted in the book's scholarly digressions.
- [Gastripheres](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/gastripheres.md): A character in a learned debate, known for his gluttony.
- [Ernulphus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/ernulphus.md): A bishop whose elaborate curse is quoted at length in the book.
- [Tickletoby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/tickletoby.md): A character in a comic anecdote, possibly a pun on a hobby-horse.
- [Amandus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/amandus.md): A character in a romantic tale, part of a digression on love.
- [Amanda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/amanda.md): A character in a romantic tale, paired with Amandus.
- [Dolly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/dolly.md): A servant or minor female character mentioned in passing.
- [Jenny](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/jenny.md): A woman mentioned in Tristram's narrative, possibly a love interest.
- [Dinah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/dinah.md): A relative of the Shandy family, mentioned in a scandalous anecdote.
- [Bobby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/bobby.md): Tristram's older brother, whose death is a major event in the narrative.
- [Captain Shandy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/captain_shandy.md): Another name for Uncle Toby, reflecting his military past.
- [The Stranger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/the_stranger.md): A mysterious figure in Slawkenbergius's tale, with a prodigious nose.
- [The Courteous Stranger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/the_courteous_stranger.md): A polite traveler in a digression, embodying comic courtesy.
- [The Master of the Inn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/the_master_of_the_inn.md): An innkeeper encountered during Tristram's travels in France.
- [The Lady Baussiere](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/the_lady_baussiere.md): A French noblewoman mentioned in a comic anecdote.
- [The Lady Carnavallette](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/the_lady_carnavallette.md): A minor character in a French travel anecdote.
- [La Maronette](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/la_maronette.md): A French woman in a comic story about a nose.
- [La Rebours](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/la_rebours.md): A character in a French anecdote, known for her backward ways.
- [La Guyol](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/la_guyol.md): A minor French character in a digression.
- [Margarita](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/margarita.md): A woman in a comic tale, associated with a stutter.
- [The Young Sieur De Croix](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/the_young_sieur_de_croix.md): A French nobleman in a romantic anecdote.
- [John de la Casse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/john_de_la_casse.md): A historical figure cited in a learned digression.
- [Ambrose Paræus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/ambrose_paraeus.md): A famous surgeon quoted in medical discussions.
- [Coglionissimo Borri](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/coglionissimo_borri.md): An Italian scholar mentioned in a learned context.
- [Eustace de St. Pierre](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/eustace_de_st_pierre.md): A historical figure from Calais, mentioned in a digression.
- [Vincent Quirino](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/vincent_quirino.md): A Venetian nobleman cited in a learned note.
- [Saint Optat](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/saint_optat.md): A saint cited in a theological discussion.
- [St. Maxima](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/st_maxima.md): A saint mentioned in a religious context.
- [Nazianzen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/nazianzen.md): A Church Father quoted in theological digressions.
- [Triptolemus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/triptolemus.md): A mythological figure mentioned in a learned aside.
- [Eleazer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/eleazer.md): A biblical figure cited in a moral discussion.
- [Peireskius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/peireskius.md): A French scholar and antiquary mentioned in passing.
- [James Turner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/james_turner.md): A historical figure mentioned in a military context.
- [John Hall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/john_hall.md): A friend of Sterne's, referenced in the text.
- [Mr. Percy Fitzgerald](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/mr_percy_fitzgerald.md): A later editor or commentator mentioned in endnotes.
- [Thackeray](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/thackeray.md): A writer referenced in a literary aside.
- [Archbishop Sterne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/archbishop_sterne.md): A relative of Laurence Sterne, mentioned in the text.
- [Laurence Sterne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/laurence_sterne.md): The author, who appears as a self-referential character.
- [Lydia Sterne de Medalle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/lydia_sterne_de_medalle.md): Sterne's daughter, mentioned in the text.
- [Roger Sterne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/roger_sterne.md): Sterne's father, a soldier mentioned in passing.
- [Eliza](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/eliza.md): A woman addressed in the text, possibly a real-life correspondent.
- [Jacques Sterne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/jacques_sterne.md): Sterne's uncle, a churchman mentioned in the narrative.
- [Count Solmes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/count_solmes.md): A historical figure mentioned in a military context.
- [King William](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/king_william.md): King William III, mentioned in Uncle Toby's war stories.
- [Queen Anne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/queen_anne.md): Queen Anne, mentioned in a historical context.
- [Dick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/dick.md): A minor character mentioned in a comic anecdote.
- [Jonathan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/jonathan.md): A servant or minor character mentioned in passing.
- [The Strasburgers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/the_strasburgers.md): The citizens of Strasbourg, reacting to the stranger's nose.
- [The French](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/the_french.md): The French people, often a subject of comic commentary.
- [The English](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/the_english.md): The English people, contrasted with the French.
- [The Popish Doctors](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/the_popish_doctors.md): Catholic theologians cited in debates on baptism.

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