Characters appearing in theplays ofWilliam Shakespeare whose names begin with the letters L to Z include the following.

Characters who exist outside Shakespeare are marked "(hist)" where they are historical, and "(myth)" where they are mythical. Where that annotation is a link (e.g. (hist)), it is a link to the page for the historical or mythical figure. The annotation "(fict)" is only used in entries for the English history plays, and indicates a character who is fictional.

• Lady (title):
  • Lady Anne (hist) is the widow of Prince Edward, wooed by Richard over the corpse of her late father-in-law (Henry VI) inRichard III.
  • Lady Bona (hist) is King Lewis's sister-in-law, whose hopes to marry Edward are thwarted, inHenry VI, Part 3.
  • Lady Capulet is Juliet's mother inRomeo and Juliet.
  • Lady Faulconbridge (hist) confesses to her son, the Bastard, thatRichard the Lionheart, and not her husband, was his true father, inKing John.
  • ForLady Greysee Queen Elizabeth.
  • Lady Macbeth (hist), wife to the protagonist inMacbeth, is a central character who conspires with her husband to murder Duncan. She later goes mad and dies, possibly through suicide.
  • Lady Macduff, wife toMacduff, is murdered, with her children, inMacbeth.
  • Lady Montague is Romeo's mother inRomeo and Juliet.
  • Lady Mortimer (hist), daughter of Glendower and wife of Edmund Mortimer (1), sings in Welsh inHenry IV, Part 1.
  • Lady Northumberland (hist) is the Earl of Northumberland's wife, who dissuades him from joining the rebels at Gaultree Forest inHenry IV, Part 2.
  • Lady Percy (hist) (sometimes calledKate) is Hotspur's wife, later his widow, inHenry IV, Part 1 andHenry IV, Part 2.
  • AnOld Lady (fict) is a rather worldly friend of Anne Bullen, inHenry VIII.
  • Twoladies attend on the Queen, inRichard II.
  • Someladies corroborate Cornelius' report of the Queen's dying words, inCymbeline.
  • Severalladies dance in a masque, inTimon of Athens.
  • For "Lady" inCymbeline, see Helen.
• Laertes is the son of Polonius and the brother of Ophelia inHamlet. He fights with Hamlet in the famous fencing scene in the final act.
• Lafew is a French lord inAll's Well That Ends Well.
• Lancaster:
  • John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (hist) is uncle to King Richard and father to Bolingbroke inRichard II.
  • Prince John of Lancaster (hist) is the younger brother of Hal inHenry IV, Part 1,Henry IV, Part 2, andHenry V. He is also the Duke of Bedford who is Regent of France inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • See also Bolingbroke (Henry IV), Henry V, Henry VI, Queen Margaret, Prince Edward and Lady Anne, all of whom are either "Duke of Lancaster" or "of the House of Lancaster".
• Titus Lartius andCominius are leaders of the Roman forces against the Volscians inCoriolanus.
• Launce is a clownish servant of Proteus, inThe Two Gentlemen of Verona. He and his dog, Crab, have a tendency to steal the show.
• Launcelot Gobbo is a clown inThe Merchant of Venice, a servant to Shylock, and later to Lorenzo.
• Friar Laurence is confessor and confidant to Romeo inRomeo and Juliet. He instigates the unsuccessful plot involving the potion drunk by Juliet.
• Lavatch is a clown in the service of the Countess of Rousillion, inAll's Well That Ends Well.
• Lavinia is the daughter of Titus inTitus Andronicus. She is raped by Chiron and Demetrius, her tongue is cut out and her hands cut off.
• For Lawrence see Laurence.
• ALawyer plucks a white rose, in the rose-plucking scene inHenry VI, Part 1.
• King Lear (hist) is the central character inKing Lear. He divides his kingdom among his two elder daughters, is rejected by them, runs mad, and dies.
• Monsieur LeBeau is a courtier inAs You Like It.
• Monsieur LeFer is a French soldier. Pistol hopes to ransom him inHenry V.
• Legate:
  • ALegate confers Winchester's Cardinalship (apparently obtained through bribery) inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • See also Pandulph.
• Popilius Lena, a senator, briefly frightens the conspirators into a belief that their plot may have been discovered, with his line "I wish your enterprise today might thrive", inJulius Caesar.
• Lennox is a thane inMacbeth.
• Leonardo is Bassanio's servant inThe Merchant of Venice.
• Leonato is the governor of Messina, and the father of Hero, inMuch Ado About Nothing.
• Leonatus:
  • Posthumus Leonatus (usually just "Posthumus") is the exiled husband of Imogen, inCymbeline. Persuaded she has been unfaithful, he orders Pisanio to kill her.
  • Sicilius Leonatus, father of Posthumus inCymbeline, appears as a ghost, and pleads to Jupiter to resolve Posthumus' troubles.
  • The mother of Posthumus and two brothers of Posthumus appear as ghosts inCymbeline, and plead to Jupiter to resolve Posthumus' troubles.
• Leonine is ordered to kill Marina, by Dionyza, inPericles, Prince of Tyre. She is captured by pirates before he can do so.
• Leontes is the king of Sicilia inThe Winter's Tale. He wrongly suspects his wife, Hermione, of infidelity.
• Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (hist) is one of the Triumvirs, the three rulers of Rome after Caesar's death, inJulius Caesar andAntony and Cleopatra.
• Lewis:
  • King Lewis XI of France (hist), insulted by Edward IV's marriage to Lady Grey, allies himself with Warwick and Margaret inHenry VI, Part 3.
  • Lewis (hist) is the Dauphin inKing John. He marries John's niece, Blanche, to cement an alliance with England. Later he leads forces against John.
  • Note that "Lewis" in Shakespeare is equivalent to an historical "Louis".
• Lieutenant:
  • ALieutenant (fict) hands over the Duke of Suffolk to Walter Whitmore, and therefore to his death, inHenry VI, Part 2.
  • ALieutenant of the Tower of London appears as Henry's jailer inHenry VI, Part 3.
  • A VolscianLieutenant to Aufidius questions Aufidius about his alliance inCoriolanus.
  • A RomanLieutenant has one half-line inCoriolanus.
  • See also Brackenbury, who is Lieutenant of the Tower of London inRichard III.
  • Numerous characters hold (or purport to hold) the rank of Lieutenant, including Michael Cassio and Bardolph.
• Caius Ligarius (hist) is one of the conspirators against Caesar inJulius Caesar.
• Limoges (hist) is the Duke of Austria inKing John. He is intimidated – and eventually beheaded in battle – by the Bastard.
• The Bishop of Lincoln (hist) speaks in favour of Henry's divorce, in the trial scene ofHenry VIII.
• For Lion see Snug.
• For Litio see Hortensio, who calls himself Litio in his disguise as a music master.
• Lodovico is a kinsman of Brabantio inOthello.
• For Friar Lodowick inMeasure for Measure see Vincentio.
• London:
  • The Lord Mayor of London (hist) is fooled by Richard and Buckingham, and supports Richard's succession, inRichard III.
  • The Mayor of London must make peace between the fighting servants of Gloucester and Winchester, inHenry VI, Part 1.
• Longaville (hist), with Berowne and Dumaine, is one of the three companions of The King of Navarre inLove's Labour's Lost.
• Lord (title):
  • ALord initiates the practical joke on Christopher Sly in theinduction toThe Taming of the Shrew.
  • ALord helps with the preparations for the fencing inHamlet.
  • ALord attends on the Princess of France inLove's Labour's Lost.
  • ALord conspires with Lennox inMacbeth.
  • ALord of Tarsus reports the approach of Pericles' ships, inPericles, Prince of Tyre.
  • ALord of Mytilene, inPericles, Prince of Tyre, appears in the shipboard reconciliation scene between Pericles and Marina.
  • ALord speaks four words ("It is, my lord") inMuch Ado About Nothing.
  • ALord who fled from the battle between the Romans and the Britons meets Posthumus, in the battle's aftermath, inCymbeline.
  • TwoLords, together with Amiens, report Jaques' encounter with the deer inAs You Like It.
  • TwoLords are followers of Duke Frederick inAs You Like It.
  • TwoLords attend on the bragging Cloten, inCymbeline.
  • TwoLords, the brothers Dumaine, attend the King of France before departing to the wars inAll's Well That Ends Well, and play an important part in the mock-interrogation of Parolles.
  • ThreeLords of Tyre lead a revolt (of sorts) inPericles, Prince of Tyre: insisting that they will make Helicanus their ruler if Pericles does not return to Tyre within one year.
  • ThreeLords of Pentapolis comment on Pericles' unimpressive appearance prior to the tournament, inPericles, Prince of Tyre.
  • ThreeLords are among the flatterers, and false friends, of Timon inTimon of Athens.
  • FourLords inAll's Well That Ends Well (two of whom may be the brothers Dumaine described as "Two Lords", above) attend the King of France after he is cured, and are considered as potential husbands for Helena.
  • A number of VolscianLords, three of them speaking roles, appear in the concluding scene ofCoriolanus, and witness Coriolanus' death.
  • The Lord Chamberlain, inHenry VIII (hist &hist) is a conflation of two historical Lords Chamberlain, one of them Lord Sandys, who is also a character in the play.
  • The Lord Chancellor (hist) – historically Sir Thomas More, although not identified as such in the play – is among thePrivy Counsellors who accuse Cranmer inHenry VIII.
  • The Lord Chief Justice (hist) is adramatic foil to Falstaff inHenry IV, Part 2.
  • The Lord Mayor of London (hist) is fooled by Richard and Buckingham, and supports Richard's succession, inRichard III.
  • For Lord Rivers see Earl Rivers.
  • "Lord" is a common designation for supernumerary characters at the royal and ducal courts.
• Lorenzo is a Christian inThe Merchant of Venice who elopes with Shylock's daughter, Jessica.
• ForLouissee Lewis.
• Lovell:
  • Lord Lovell (hist) is a henchman of Richard inRichard III.
  • Sir Thomas Lovell (hist) is a courtier of King Henry, inHenry VIII.
• Luce:
  • Luce is a tarty servant to Adriana inThe Comedy of Errors.
  • See also countrywomen.
• Lucentio falls in love with Bianca, and disguises himself as a Latin master in order to woo her. They marry at the end ofThe Taming of the Shrew.
• Lucetta is Julia's maid inThe Two Gentlemen of Verona.
• Luciana inThe Comedy of Errors is shocked to be importuned by her brother-in-law's twin, who she believes to be her sister's husband.
• For Lucianus, see Third Player.
• Lucilius:
  • Lucilius is a servant of Timon inTimon of Athens. He loves the daughter of the Old Athenian, and Titus provides him with a fortune, to make him her equal.
  • Lucilius is a soldier of Brutus' and Cassius' party inJulius Caesar. He pretends to be Brutus during the battle at Philippi.
• Lucio, a friend of Claudio, frequently slanders the duke inMeasure for Measure, and is eventually forced to marry Kate Keepdown.
• Lucius:
  • Caius Lucius is the Roman ambassador inCymbeline, and the leader of the Roman forces.
  • Lucius, a boy, is a servant attending on Brutus, inJulius Caesar.
  • Lucius is a lord inTimon of Athens, who flatters Titus but proves a false friend.
  • Lucius is the son of Titus inTitus Andronicus. He ends the play as Emperor of Rome, following the death of most major characters.
  • Young Lucius, son of Luicus inTitus Andronicus, and usually cast as a child, plays a part in exposing his aunt's rapists.
  • For Lucius' Servant (inTimon of Athens), see servant.
• Lucullus:
  • Lucullus is a lord inTimon of Athens, who flatters Titus but proves a false friend.
  • For Lucullus' Servant, see servant
• Sir William Lucy (fict) is a soldier and messenger for the English in France inHenry VI, Part 1.
• Lychorida is Thaisa's nurse, then (after Thaisa's supposed death in childbirth) Marina's nurse, inPericles, Prince of Tyre.
• Lysander loves Hermia inA Midsummer Night's Dream. For a period in the middle of the play, under the influence oflove in idleness, he rejects her and loves Helena.
• Lysimachus is the governor of Mytilene, inPericles, Prince of Tyre. He is converted from debauchery by Marina, and eventually reunites her with her father, Pericles.

• Macbeth:
  • Macbeth (hist) is the central character inMacbeth. Influenced by the prophecies of three witches, he murders Duncan to take his place as king of Scotland.
  • Lady Macbeth (hist), wife to Macbeth, is a central character who conspires with her husband to murder Duncan. She later goes mad and dies, possibly through suicide.
• Macduff:
  • Macduff is the Thane of Fife inMacbeth. Not being "born of woman", he fights on Malcolm's side at the end of the play, and kills Macbeth.
  • Lady Macduff, wife to Macduff, is murdered, with her children, inMacbeth.
  • Macduff's Son is murdered on Macbeth's orders.
• Macmorris (fict) is an Irish captain inHenry V. He is said to be Shakespeare's only Irish character.
• Maecenas (hist) is a follower of Caesar inAntony and Cleopatra.
• Malcolm (hist) is the eldest son of Duncan inMacbeth.
• Malvolio is steward to, and secretly in love with, Olivia inTwelfth Night. He is gulled by Maria, Sir Toby Belch, Feste, Fabian and Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and is imprisoned as a madman.
• Mamillius is the young son of Leontes and Hermione whose death is reported in the trial scene ofThe Winter's Tale.
• Man:
  • AMan, Troilus' Servant, has one line inTroilus and Cressida.
  • AnOld Man is Gloucester's tenant, who helps with his escape, inKing Lear.
  • AnOld Man reports the supernatural happenings on the night of Duncan's murder to Ross, inMacbeth.
  • The banter of aPorter and aPorter's Man introduces the finale – Elizabeth's christening – inHenry VIII.
  • Man is occasionally a designation for supernumerary characters.
• Marcade, a French messenger brings the Princess of France the news that her father, the king, has died, inLove's Labour's Lost.
• Marcellus and Barnardo are soldiers who invite Horatio to see the ghost of Old Hamlet, inHamlet.
• Marcus:
  • Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (hist) is one of the Triumvirs, the three rulers of Rome after Caesar's death, inJulius Caesar andAntony and Cleopatra.
  • Marcus Andronicus is the brother ofTitus Andronicus.
  • Marcus Brutus (hist) (usually just Brutus) is a central character ofJulius Caesar, who conspires against Caesar's life and stabs him.
  • See also Mark, especially in the context of the Roman plays, where the two are often interchangeable. Mark Antony, for example, was historically "Marcus Antonius".
• Mardian is aeunuch attending on Cleopatra inAntony and Cleopatra.
• Margarelon is a bastard son of Priam who spares the life of Thersites inTroilus and Cressida.
• Margaret:
  • Margaret is a maid, and an unknowing accomplice in the plot against Hero, inMuch Ado About Nothing.
  • Queen Margaret (hist) appears as a naive girl inHenry VI, Part 1 and as an embittered old woman inRichard III. She is a central character of the two intervening plays,Henry VI, Part 2 andHenry VI, Part 3, in which she is the wife of Henry VI, and a leader of his armies. In her most notable scene she supervises the murder/execution of Richard Duke of York.
• Maria:
  • Maria is a maid to Olivia, and the instigator of the plot against Malvolio, inTwelfth Night.
  • Maria is a lady attending on the Princess of France inLove's Labour's Lost. She becomes romantically entangled with Longaville.
• Mariana:
  • Mariana is the jilted fiancée of Angelo, who sleeps with him in the "bed trick" inMeasure for Measure.
  • Mariana is a friend of the Widow inAll's Well That Ends Well.
• Marina is the virtuous daughter of the hero inPericles, Prince of Tyre. Sold into a brothel, she converts her customers from their lives of debauchery.
• Mariners:
  • A number ofmariners are supernumerary characters inThe Tempest.
  • See also Sailors.
• Mark:
  • Mark Antony (hist)(Often just Antony, and sometimes Marcus Antonius) turns the mob against Caesar's killers and becomes a Triumvir inJulius Caesar. His romance with Cleopatra drives the action ofAntony and Cleopatra.
  • See also Marcus
• Marquess:
  • The Marquess of Montague (hist) is a follower of Warwick (his brother) inHenry VI, Part 3.
  • ForMarquess of Suffolksee Duke of Suffolk. William De La Pole held both titles during the period dramatised by Shakespeare.
• TheMarshal of the tournament at Pentapolis is a minor character inPericles, Prince of Tyre.
• Sir Oliver Martext is a foolish priest inAs You Like It.
• Martius:
  • Caius Martius Coriolanus (hist) is the central character ofCoriolanus, who earns the title "Coriolanus" in recognition of his skill at smiting Volscians in Coriolai.
  • For Young Martius inCoriolanus, see Boy.
  • Martius and Quintus, two sons of the title character inTitus Andronicus, have the same story: returning from the wars they sacrifice one of Tamora's sons. They defy their father over Saturninus' claim to the hand of Lavinia. They are framed and executed for Bassianus' murder.
• Marullus and Flavius are tribunes of the people, dismayed by the enthusiasm of the commoners for the return of Caesar, in the opening scene ofJulius Caesar.
• Master:
  • AMaster captains Alonso's ship, inThe Tempest.
  • AMaster (fict) ransomes a gentleman inHenry VI, Part 2.
  • ForMaster Brooksee Master Ford.
  • Master Ford is a central character inThe Merry Wives of Windsor. He suspects his wife of infidelity with Sir John Falstaff. He tests Falstaff in disguise, calling himself Master Brook.
  • TheMaster Gunner of Orleans leaves his boy in charge of the artillery, inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • TheMaster Gunner's Boy kills Salisbury, inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • Master Page is the husband of Mistress Page and the father of Anne and William inThe Merry Wives of Windsor. He plans to have Anne married to Slender.
  • See also Captain.
• AMate (fict) ransomes a gentleman inHenry VI, Part 2.
• Matthew Gough (hist) is an enemy of Jack Cade's rebels inHenry VI, Part 2.
• For Maudlin, see Countrywomen.
• Mayor:
  • The Lord Mayor of London (hist) is fooled by Richard and Buckingham, and supports Richard's succession, inRichard III.
  • The Mayor of London (hist) must make peace between the fighting servants of Gloucester and Winchester, inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • The Mayor of St. Albans appears briefly in the "Simpcox" episode inHenry VI, Part 2.
  • The Mayor of York (hist) reluctantly supports the Yorkists inHenry VI, Part 3.
• Meg:
  • See Mistress Page, who is sometimes addressed as "Meg".
  • See also Margaret.
• Melun (hist) is a French lord who fights for the Dauphin's party, inKing John.
• Menas (hist) a follower of Pompey, suggests cutting loose the boat where the Triumvirs are feasting, inAntony and Cleopatra.
• Menecrates (hist) is a follower of Pompey inAntony and Cleopatra.
• Menelaus (myth), king of Sparta and husband of the captured Helen, is one of the Greek leaders inTroilus and Cressida.
• Menenius Agrippa is a friend and supporter of Coriolanus in his political struggles, inCoriolanus.
• Menteth is a thane inMacbeth.
• Merchant:
  • Amerchant speaks well of Timon, in the opening scene ofTimon of Athens.
  • Threemerchants, one of whom is named Balthasar, add to the confusion inThe Comedy of Errors.
• Mercutio is the witty friend of Romeo, and kinsman to the Prince, inRomeo and Juliet. He is killed by Tybalt.
• Messala is one of the senior soldiers of Brutus' and Cassius' party, inJulius Caesar.
• Messenger:
  • Amessenger reports the escape of Antipholus of Ephesus and Dromio of Ephesus to Adriana, inThe Comedy of Errors.
  • Amessenger brings a letter from Angelo to the Provost, ordering Claudio's death that night, inMeasure for Measure.
  • Amessenger reports Pericles flight from Antioch to Antiochus, inPericles, Prince of Tyre.
  • Amessenger brings news of a Turkish fleet to the Venetian Senate, inOthello.
  • Amessenger delivers the heads of Quintus and Martius, and Titus' own severed hand, toTitus Andronicus.
  • Amessenger from Bertram briefly visits the brothers Dumaine inAll's Well That Ends Well.
  • Amessenger (fict) gets a dressing-down from Katherine and Griffith for his abrupt manner, inHenry VIII.
  • Amessenger to the Roman leaders brings news of the preparations for battle against the Volsces, inCoriolanus.
  • Twomessengers to Claudius inHamlet (or possibly one messenger appearing twice) bring news of Laertes' rebellious approach, and Hamlet's letter delivered by the sailors.
  • Twomessengers appear inThe Two Noble Kinsmen. One has a lengthy speech describing Arcite's first knight.
  • Twomessengers inCymbeline (or possibly one messenger appearing twice) bring news of the Roman Ambassador's approach, and the disappearance of Imogen.
  • Threemessengers bring bad news to the English lords at Henry V's funeral, inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • Threemessengers, two to Albany and the other to Cordelia, appear inKing Lear.
  • Threemessengers are minor characters inTimon of Athens: one negotiates Ventidius' bail, another announces Alcibiades arrival at Timon's first feast with companions, the third announces Alcibiades approach towards Athens with soldiers.
  • Threemessengers, two English bringing messages to Talbot and York, and one French bringing a message to Talbot, appear inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • Fourmessengers bring (mostly) bad news to Richard, inRichard III.
  • Severalmessengers appear inMuch Ado About Nothing: one of them is an important figure in the opening scene.
  • Numerousmessengers appear inAntony and Cleopatra:
    • Amessenger brings "News, my good lord, from Rome" in the opening scene. Antony refuses to hear him.
    • Threemessengers bring news to Antony of various military defeats, and of Fulvia's death.
    • Twomessengers bring news to Caesar of Pompey's (and his allies') naval preparations.
    • Onemessenger is a mid-sized role: the unfortunate carrier of the message to Cleopatra that Antony has married Octavia, and who later reports (unflatteringly) on Octavia's looks and bearing.
    • Amessenger brings Antony news that Caesar has taken Toryne.
    • Amessenger summons Canidius to Antony.
    • Amessenger informs Caesar that Antony is come into the field.
• Metellus Cimber (hist) is one of the conspirators inJulius Caesar.
• Michael:
  • Michael (fict) is a follower of Jack Cade inHenry VI, Part 2.
  • Michael Cassio is a lieutenant inOthello. Iago persuades Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Othello's wife, Desdemona.
  • Michael Williams (fict) (notably played byMichael Williams inKenneth Branagh'sfilm version) is a soldier who challenges the disguised Henry to a duel, inHenry V.
  • Sir Michael is a minor character, a follower of the Archbishop of York, inHenry IV, Part 1.
• TheDuke of Milan is patron to both Valentine and Proteus, and is the father of Silvia, inThe Two Gentlemen of Verona.
• Baptista Minola is the father of Katherine and Bianca inThe Taming of the Shrew.
• Miranda is the 15-year-old daughter of Prospero inThe Tempest. She falls in love withFerdinand.
• ForMonmouthsee Hal, who is sometimes called Monmouth or Harry Monmouth, after his place of birth.
• Monsieur:
  • Monsieur LeBeau is a courtier inAs You Like It.
  • Monsieur LeFer is a French soldier. Pistol hopes to ransom him inHenry V.
• Montague:
  • Montague is Romeo's father, an enemy of Capulet, inRomeo and Juliet.
  • Lady Montague is Romeo's mother inRomeo and Juliet.
  • The Marquess of Montague (hist) is a follower of Warwick (his brother) inHenry VI, Part 3.
  • See also Romeo and Benvolio.
• Montano is the Governor of Cyprus inOthello.
• Sir John Montgomery (historicallyThomas Montgomery) is a minor Yorkist character inHenry VI, Part 3.
• Montjoy (fict) is the French herald inHenry V.
• ForMoonshinesee Robin Starveling.
• Mopsa and Dorcas are shepherdesses, usually portrayed as rather tarty, inThe Winter's Tale.
• Morgan (real nameBelarius) steals the two infant sons of the king inCymbeline, and raises them as his own.
• The Prince of Morocco is an unsuccessful suitor to Portia inThe Merchant of Venice.
• Mortimer:
  • Edmund Mortimer (1) (hist) is a claimant to the English throne, and a leader of the rebel forces, inHenry IV, Part 1.
  • Edmund Mortimer (2) (hist) explains the Yorkist claim to the crown to Richard Duke of York (1), inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • Lady Mortimer, daughter of Glendower and wife of Edmund Mortimer (1), sings in Welsh inHenry IV, Part 1.
  • Sir Hugh Mortimer (hist) is an uncle of Richard Duke of York (1) inHenry VI, Part 3.
  • Sir John Mortimer (hist) is an uncle of Richard Duke of York (1) inHenry VI, Part 3.
  • See also Jack Cade, who falsely claims to be one John Mortimer, a claimant to the throne.
• Morton (fict) is a messenger to the Earl of Northumberland inHenry IV, Part 2.
• Moth:
  • Moth (1) is page to Don Armado inLove's Labour's Lost.
  • Moth (2) is a fairy inA Midsummer Night's Dream.
• ForMother of Posthumussee Leonatus.
• Mouldy is nearly pressed into military service by Falstaff inHenry IV, Part 2.
• Mowbray:
  • Lord Mowbray is a rebel leader inHenry IV, Part 2.
  • Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk (hist) is Bolingbroke's enemy, exiled by Richard, inRichard II.
• Murderer:
  • Threemurderers killBanquo, although his sonFleance escapes them, inMacbeth.
  • Twomurderers report having killed Duke Humphrey inHenry VI, Part 2.
  • Twomurderers kill Clarence on Richard's orders inRichard III.
• Musician:
  • Severalmusicians, one of whom is a speaking role, are made fun of by the clown inOthello.
  • Severalmusicians attend on Cloten inCymbeline. One of them sings "Hark, hark the lark."
  • See also Simon Catling, Hugh Rebeck and James Soundpost.
  • Musicians often appear as supernumerary characters.
• Mustardseed is a fairy inA Midsummer Night's Dream.
• Mutius, son of the protagonist, tries to prevent his father from pursuing Lavinia and Bassianus, but is killed by his father inTitus Andronicus.
• SeveralMyrmidons (myth) kill Hector on Achilles' orders, inTroilus and Cressida.

• ForNansee Anne Page, who is sometimes addressed as Nan.
• Nathaniel:
  • Nathaniel is a servant of Petruchio inThe Taming of the Shrew.
  • Sir Nathaniel is a parson inLove's Labour's Lost. He is a comic character, and a friend of Holofernes. He appears as Alexander the Conqueror in the pageant of the Nine Worthies.
• The King of Navarre (Ferdinand, loosely based onHenry III) and his three noble companions, Berowne, Dumaine, and Longaville, vow to study and fast for three years, at the outset ofLove's Labour's Lost.
• Ned:
  • Ned Poins (fict) is a highwayman, and a close companion of Hal, inHenry IV, Part 1 andHenry IV, Part 2.
  • See also Edward.
  • See also Boy.
• Nell:
  • See Mistress Quickly, whose first name is Nell.
  • A "Nell" is unflatteringly described by Doromio of Syracuse inThe Comedy of Errors: she may be the same person as the character Luce, misnamed.
  • See also Countrywomen.
  • See also Helen.
• Nerissa is Portia's maid inThe Merchant of Venice. She marries Gratiano. She disguises herself as a page when Portia disguises herself as a lawyer.
• Nestor (myth) is an elderly Greek leader inTroilus and Cressida.
• Nicholas/Nick:
  • Nicholas is a servant of Petruchio inThe Taming of the Shrew.
  • Nick (fict) is a follower of Jack Cade inHenry VI, Part 2.
  • Nick Bottom is a weaver, one of themechanicals, inA Midsummer Night's Dream. While rehearsing a play, Puck changes Bottom's head for an ass's head. Titania falls in love with him. He plays Pyramus inPyramus and Thisbe.
  • Sir Nicholas Vaux (hist) is a minor character in the scene leading to Buckingham's execution, inHenry VIII.
• For Nim see Nym.
• For Ninacor inCoriolanus, see Roman.
• A Nobleman (fict) brings news of Henry's arrest to the Yorkist leaders inHenry VI, Part 3.
• Norfolk:
  • The Duke of Norfolk (hist) is a supporter of the Yorkists inHenry VI, Part 3 andRichard III.
  • The Duke of Norfolk (hist &hist) is an associate of Buckingham inHenry VIII.
  • Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk (hist) is Bolingbroke's enemy, exiled by Richard, inRichard II.
• Northumberland:
  • The Earl of Northumberland,Henry Percy, (hist) is an important character inRichard II, where he is Bolingbroke's chief ally, and inHenry IV, Part 1 andHenry IV, Part 2, in which he leads the rebellion against his former ally, who is now king.
  • The Earl of Northumberland (hist) fights for the Lancastrians inHenry VI, Part 3.
  • Lady Northumberland (hist) is the Earl of Northumberland's wife, who dissuades him from joining the rebels at Gaultree Forest inHenry IV, Part 2.
  • See also Seyward inMacbeth.
• Nurse:
  • The Nurse is a bawdy comic character, and a confidante of Juliet, inRomeo and Juliet.
  • The Nurse helps to deliver Aaron's son to Tamora, inTitus Andronicus. Aaron murders her.
• Nym (fict) is a follower of Sir John Falstaff inThe Merry Wives of Windsor, and a companion of Pistol and Bardolph inHenry V.
• Severalnymphs (myth) dance in the masque inThe Tempest, and are part of the wedding procession which opensThe Two Noble Kinsmen.

• Hugh Oatcake is a member of the Watch inMuch Ado About Nothing.
• Oberon (myth) is king of the fairies inA Midsummer Night's Dream.
• Octavia (hist), sister of Octavius, marries Mark Antony when he is widowed inAntony and Cleopatra. Their marriage causes great distress to Antony's lover, Cleopatra.
• Octavius Caesar (hist) is one of the Triumvirs, the three rulers of Rome after Caesar's death, inJulius Caesar andAntony and Cleopatra.
• Officer:
  • First Officer attends the Venetian Senate inOthello.
  • Anofficer arrests Antipholus of Ephesus for debt inThe Comedy of Errors.
  • Twoofficers in Orsino's service arrest Antonio inTwelfth Night.
  • Twoofficers discuss Coriolanus' prospects of becoming consul inCoriolanus.
  • Twoofficers, of whom onlySecond Officer is a speaking role, appear in the last act ofKing Lear.
  • Severalofficers support the Mayor of London inHenry VI, Part 1. One of them reads a proclamation.
• Old:
  • AnOld Athenian objects to his daughter's involvement with Lucilius, until Timon offers to endow Lucilius with money to make him her equal, inTimon of Athens.
  • Old Capulet is a minor character – a kinsman of Capulet – in the party scene ofRomeo and Juliet.
  • Old Clifford (hist), father of Clifford, is a Lancastrian leader inHenry VI, Part 2.
  • Old Gobbo, the blind old father of Launcelot Gobbo, is a clown inThe Merchant of Venice.
  • Old Hamlet (myth) is the father of the title character inHamlet. His ghost appears to exhort Hamlet to revenge Old Hamlet's murder by Claudius.
  • AnOld Lady (fict) is a rather worldly friend of Anne Bullen, inHenry VIII.
  • AnOld Man is Gloucester's tenant, who helps with his escape, inKing Lear.
  • AnOld Man reports the supernatural happenings on the night of Duncan's murder to Ross, inMacbeth.
  • Old Shepherd is the kindly father of the Clown inThe Winter's Tale, who adopts the abandoned Perdita as his daughter.
• Oliver:
  • Oliver beginsAs You Like It as a villain: the cruel older brother to Orlando. He later repents, and marries Celia.
  • Sir Oliver Martext is a foolish priest inAs You Like It.
• Olivia is a countess, loved by Orsino but in love with Cesario (the male persona of Viola) inTwelfth Night.
• One is the speech prefix of a very minor character who speaks to the Porter from offstage, inHenry VIII.
• Ophelia, inHamlet, is a former lover of Hamlet, who is rejected by him, and who goes mad following her father's death at Hamlet's hands. She drowns, possibly a suicide.
• Orlando is the male romantic lead inAs You Like It.
• Orleans:
  • The Bastard of Orleans (hist) is one of the French leaders inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • The Duke of Orleans (hist) fights on the French side inHenry V.
  • The Master Gunner of Orleans leaves his boy in charge of the artillery, inHenry VI, Part 1.
• Orsino is the Duke of Illyria, loved by Viola but in love with Olivia, inTwelfth Night.
• Osric is a courtier, treated with contempt by Hamlet inHamlet.
• Oswald is a servant of Gonerill, most noted for getting into fights and losing them, inKing Lear.
• Othello is the title character ofOthello. A Moorish general in the Venetian army, he is persuaded by Iago that his wife Desdemona is having an affair with Michael Cassio.
• SomeOutlaws, three of which are speaking roles, initially try to rob Valentine, but decide to invite him to be their leader, inThe Two Gentlemen of Verona.
• Mistress Overdone is a brothel keeper inMeasure for Measure.
• Owen Glendower (hist), a warrior and magician who tries the patience of Hotspur, leads the Welsh forces in the rebellion inHenry IV, Part 1.
• The Earl of Oxford (hist) is a staunch Lancastrian, supporting Henry inHenry VI, Part 3, and Richmond inRichard III.

• Page:
  • Apage (fict) procures the services of Tyrrell for King Richard inRichard III.
  • Apage pretends to be Christopher Sly's lady, in theinduction toThe Taming of the Shrew.
  • Apage to Paris witnesses the start of the conflict between Romeo and Paris, and summons watchmen to the scene, inRomeo and Juliet.
  • Apage to the Countess of Rousillion is a very minor role inAll's Well That Ends Well.
  • Apage appears briefly inTimon of Athens.
  • Twopages encounter Touchstone, and singIt Was A Lover And His Lass, inAs You Like It.
  • Anne Page is the daughter of Master and Mistress Page inThe Merry Wives of Windsor. She loves Fenton, but her father wishes her to marry Slender and her mother wishes her to marry Caius.
  • Gardiner's Page is a minor role inHenry VIII.
  • Master Page is the husband of Mistress Page and the father of Anne and William inThe Merry Wives of Windsor. He plans to have Anne married to Slender.
  • Mistress Page, wife of Master Page, is a title character inThe Merry Wives of Windsor. She conspires with Mistress Ford to punish Falstaff's lechery. She plans to have Anne married to Doctor Caius.
  • William Page is a minor youthful comic character, the son of Master and Mistress Page, and the younger brother of Anne Page inThe Merry Wives of Windsor.
  • See also The Boy, who is sometimes "the page" or "Falstaff's page".
• APainter and aPoet obtain the patronage of Timon inTimon of Athens. They return to him, in the woods, having heard rumours that he has found gold.
• Palamon and Arcite are the title characters ofThe Two Noble Kinsmen. Their friendship endures even though they engage in a mortal quarrel for the love of Emilia.
• Pandarus (myth) procures an assignation between his niece Cressida and the prince Troilus, inTroilus and Cressida.
• APander and a Bawd run the brothel into which Marina is sold, inPericles, Prince of Tyre.
• Cardinal Pandulph (hist) is thePapal legate inKing John. He incites the Dauphin against John, but later tries to placate him.
• Panthino is a servant of Antonio inThe Two Gentlemen of Verona.
• Paris:
  • The Governor of Paris has an oath of allegiance administered to him by Gloucester (but has no lines of his own) inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • Paris (myth) has captured Helen – Menelaus' wife – and they live together as lovers in Troy. This is the cause of the lengthy wars fought inTroilus and Cressida.
  • Paris is a suitor to Juliet inRomeo and Juliet. He is killed by Romeo.
  • Paris' Servant has a clownish exchange with Pandarus inTroilus and Cressida.
  • For Paris' Page (inRomeo and Juliet), see Page.
• Parolles is a cowardly braggart soldier, a companion of Bertram, inAll's Well That Ends Well.
• ForParson Hughsee Sir Hugh Evans.
• Patience (fict) is an attendant on Katherine, inHenry VIII.
• The RomanPatricians, of whom only one has individual lines, appear inCoriolanus.
• Patroclus (myth) is the friend, or "masculine whore", of Achilles inTroilus and Cressida.
• Paulina, strong-willed and good-hearted, is an important foil to Leontes inThe Winter's Tale. In the last act, she reveals the statue of Hermione.
• Peaseblossom is a fairy inA Midsummer Night's Dream.
• The Pedant disguises himself as Vincentio (Lucentio's father) inThe Taming of the Shrew, to act as father to Tranio, who has disguised himself as Lucentio.
• Don Pedro is the prince of Arragon inMuch Ado About Nothing.
• Pembroke:
  • The Earl of Pembroke (hist), together with Salisbury and Bigot, fear for the life of young Arthur, and later discover his body, inKing John.
  • The Earl of Pembroke (hist) is a non-speaking Yorkist inHenry VI, Part 3.
• Percy:
  • The Earl of Northumberland,Henry Percy, (hist) is an important character inRichard II, where he is Bolingbroke's chief ally, and inHenry IV, Part 1 andHenry IV, Part 2, in which he leads the rebellion against his former ally, who is now king.
  • Hotspur orHarry Percy (hist), brave and chivalrous but hot-headed and sometimes comical, is an important foil to Hal, and leader of the rebel forces, inHenry IV, Part 1.
  • Lady Percy (hist) (sometimes calledKate) is Hotspur's wife, later his widow, inHenry IV, Part 1 andHenry IV, Part 2.
  • For Thomas Percy, see Earl of Worcester.
  • See also Lady Northumberland.
• Perdita is the infant daughter of Leontes, abandoned in Bohemia, inThe Winter's Tale. She grows up to marry Florizel and is reconciled to her father.
• Pericles is the central character ofPericles, Prince of Tyre. In an unfortunate series of adventures, he loses his wife and his daughter, but is eventually reunited with them.
• Peter:
  • Friar Peter assists Isabella and Mariana in the final act ofMeasure for Measure.
  • Peter is a servant of Petruchio inThe Taming of the Shrew.
  • Peter is a clownish servant of Capulet who attends on the nurse inRomeo and Juliet.
  • Peter of Pomfret is a prophet inKing John. John orders his hanging upon hearing he has predicted that John will yield up his crown.
  • Peter Quince is a carpenter inA Midsummer Night's Dream. He plays the prologue toPyramus and Thisbe.
  • Peter Thump (fict) fights a duel with his master Thomas Horner inHenry VI, Part 2.
  • See also Simple, whose first name is Peter.
• Peto (fict) is a follower of Sir John Falstaff inHenry IV, Part 1 andHenry IV, Part 2.

• Petruchio is the central male character inThe Taming of the Shrew, who "tames" the title character, Katherine.
• Philostrate is master of the revels to Theseus inA Midsummer Night's Dream.
• Phebe is a shepherdess, loved by Silvius but who falls in love with the disguised Rosalind, inAs You Like It.
• Philario is an Italian friend of Posthumus, who introduces him to Jachimo, inCymbeline.
• Philemon is a servant of Cerimon, inPericles, Prince of Tyre.
• Philip:
  • King Philip of France (hist) allies himself with Constance in support of Arthur's claim, but later makes peace with John inKing John.
  • Philip (the Bastard) Faulconbridge (fict) is a central character inKing John, the bravest and most articulate of John's supporters.
  • Philip is a servant of Petruchio inThe Taming of the Shrew.
• Philo and Demetrius, Romans following Antony, regret his infatuation with Cleopatra inAntony and Cleopatra.
• Philotus is a servant, sent to extract payment of a debt fromTimon of Athens.
• Phrynia and Timandra are whores, or mistresses of Alcibiades, inTimon of Athens.
• Sir Piers of Exton (fict) murders the deposed King Richard inRichard II.
• Pinch is a conjuror inThe Comedy of Errors.
• Pindarus is a servant of Cassius, inJulius Caesar. He aids Cassius' suicide, at Philippi.
• ThreePirates rescue Marina from Leonine, then sell her to a brothel at Mytilene, inPericles, Prince of Tyre.
• Pirithous (myth) is a friend of Theseus, inThe Two Noble Kinsmen.
• Pisanio, the servant of Posthumus, is ordered to murder Imogen, but instead spares her and disguises her as Fidele, inCymbeline.
• Pistol (fict) is a follower of Sir John Falstaff inHenry IV, Part 2 andThe Merry Wives of Windsor. He is married to Mistress Quickly, and is a soldier in conflict with Fluellen, inHenry V.
• Player:
  • First Player orPlayer King leads the company which visits Elsinore inHamlet. He reads an excerpt as Priam, and plays the king inThe Mousetrap.
  • Second Player orPlayer Queen, inHamlet, plays the queen inThe Mousetrap.
  • Third Player, inHamlet, plays Lucianus inThe Mousetrap.
  • Fourth Player, inHamlet, reads the prologue toThe Mousetrap.
  • APlayer appears in theinduction toThe Taming of the Shrew.
  • A number of characters are players, including, in a sense, the whole cast (except for those in the induction) ofThe Taming of the Shrew.
• Plebeians:
  • A mob ofPlebeians, four of them individual speaking roles, hear the funeral orations of Brutus and Antony, inJulius Caesar.
  • ForPlebeiansinCoriolanus, see Citizens.
• Poet:
  • APoet and aPainter obtain the patronage of Timon inTimon of Athens. They return to him, in the woods, having heard rumours that he has found gold.
  • APoet appears briefly inJulius Caesar, begging Brutus and Cassius to be friends.
  • See also Cinna the Poet.
• Ned Poins (fict) is a highwayman, and a close companion of Hal, inHenry IV, Part 1 andHenry IV, Part 2.
• The Duke of Suffolk (William de la Pole) (hist) is amanipulative character, loved by Queen Margaret, inHenry VI, Part 1 andHenry VI, Part 2.
• Polixines is theKing of Bohemia inThe Winter's Tale. Leontes wrongly believes that Polixines and Hermione are having an affair.
• Polonius is a chief adviser in the court of King Claudius inHamlet, and is the father of Ophelia and Laertes. He is killed by Hamlet, who stabs him through an arras while he is eavesdropping on a conversation between Hamlet and Gertrude.
• Polydore (real nameGuiderius) is the true heir inCymbeline, stolen away in infancy by Morgan, and brought up as Morgan's child.
• Peter of Pomfret is a prophet inKing John. John orders his hanging upon hearing he has predicted that John will yield up his crown.
• Pompey:
  • Pompey is a clown, servant to Mistress Overdone inMeasure for Measure.
  • Pompey orSextus Pompeius (hist) is the enemy of the Triumvirate inAntony and Cleopatra.
  • See also Costard, who plays Pompey in the masque of the Nine Worthies.
• ForPoor Tomsee Edgar.
• Popilius Lena, a senator, briefly frightens the conspirators into a belief that their plot may have been discovered, with his line "I wish your enterprise today might thrive", inJulius Caesar.
• Porter:
  • APorter to the Countess of Auvergne locks the doors, believing that he has thereby made Talbot prisoner, inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • ThePorter is a clown inMacbeth.
  • The banter of aPorter and aPorter's Man introduces the finale – Elizabeth's christening – inHenry VIII.
• Portia:
  • Portia is the central female character inThe Merchant of Venice. She disguises herself as a lawyer in an attempt to thwart Shylock's attempt on Antonio's life.
  • Portia (hist) is the wife of Brutus inJulius Caesar.
• Posthumus Leonatus (usually just "Posthumus") is the exiled husband of Imogen, inCymbeline. Persuaded she has been unfaithful, he orders Pisanio to kill her.
• For Potpan, see Servingmen.
• For Presenter see John Gower.
• Priam:
  • Priam (myth) is the king of Troy inTroilus and Cressida.
  • See also Player King.
• Priest:
  • APriest converses briefly with Lord Hastings inRichard III.
  • APriest presides over Ophelia's burial inHamlet.
  • APriest solemnises the marriage of Olivia and Sebastian inTwelfth Night.

    

• Prince (title):
  • Escalus, Prince of Verona tries to keep the peace between Montague and Capulet, inRomeo and Juliet.
  • Prince Edward:
    • Edward, the Black Prince (hist) the eldest son of KingEdward III of England andPhilippa of Hainault, and father to KingRichard II of England. He appears inEdward III (play) and is referred to inHenry V.
    • Prince Edward (hist) is the son of Henry VI, who joins his mother Queen Margaret as a leader of the Lancastrian forces inHenry VI, Part 3. He is killed by the three Yorks (Edward, George and Richard).
    • Prince Edward of York laterKing Edward V (hist) is the eldest son of Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth. He appears inHenry VI, Part 3, and is the elder of the twoprinces in the tower inRichard III.
  • Prince Hamlet is the central character ofHamlet. He is a prince of Denmark, called on to avenge his father's (Old Hamlet's) murder by Claudius.
  • Prince Henry (hist) appears towards the end ofKing John, as successor to the title character.
  • Prince John of Lancaster (hist), the younger brother of Hal inHenry IV, Part 1,Henry IV, Part 2, andHenry V. He is also the Duke of Bedford who is Regent of France inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • The Prince of Arragon is an unsuccessful suitor to Portia inThe Merchant of Venice.
  • The Prince of Morocco is an unsuccessful suitor to Portia inThe Merchant of Venice.
  • ForPrince of Tyresee Pericles.
  • ForPrince of Walessee Hal, Prince Edward, Prince Edward of York.
  • Numerous characters are princes, either because they are rulers of principalities (for example Don Pedro and Pericles), or by descent from a king.
• Princess:
  • The Princess of France (hist) leads a diplomatic mission to Navarre and becomes romantically entangled with the King, inLove's Labour's Lost.
  • Several characters are princesses in the sense of being descendants of kings, including Katherine inHenry V, Queen Margaret (until she becomes queen), Imogen, Perdita, Gonerill, Regan and Cordelia. Others are described as princesses by virtue of being descendants of ruling dukes, including Rosalind, Celia, Silvia and Miranda. Others are princesses by descent from a ruling prince, for example Marina.
• Proculeius (hist) is a follower of Caesar inAntony and Cleopatra. It appears Antony has told Cleopatra to "trust him".
• Prologue:

• • APrologue and an Epilogue (possibly the same player) appear inThe Two Noble Kinsmen.
  • APrologue and an Epilogue (possibly the same player) appear inHenry VIII.
  • APrologue appears inTroilus and Cressida.
  • see Peter Quince.
  • see Fourth Player.
  • see also Chorus.
• Prospero is the central character ofThe Tempest, the wronged Duke of Milan, set adrift with his daughter Miranda, twelve years before the play begins. He has become a sorcerer and is lord of the enchanted island.
• Proteus is one ofThe Two Gentlemen of Verona. Originally in love with Julia, he proves unfaithful: coveting Silvia and eventually attempting to rape her.
• AProvost appears inMeasure for Measure.
• Publius is a minor character: a senator accompanying Caesar to the Capitol, inJulius Caesar.
• Joan la Pucelle (hist), better known to history as Joan of Arc, leads the Dauphin's forces against Talbot and the English inHenry VI, Part 1.
• Puck (myth) is a mischievous (male) fairy, a servant of Oberon, inA Midsummer Night's Dream.
• Hastings Pursuivant is a minor character who meets his namesake, Lord Hastings, inRichard III.
• For Puzel see Joan la Pucelle.
• For Pyramus, see Nick Bottom.

• Queen (title):
  • Player Queen orSecond Player, inHamlet, plays the queen inThe Mousetrap.
  • Queen, inCymbeline, is the scheming wife of the title character, who attempts to manipulate events so that her son, Cloten, inherits the throne.
  • ThreeQueens, plead to Theseus to intercede with the tyrant Creon, who has killed their husbands in battle, inThe Two Noble Kinsmen.
  • Queen Eleanor (hist) is the mother of John inKing John. She takes a liking to Philip the Bastard, and recruits him to John's court.
  • Queen Elizabeth (hist) is a suitor to, and then queen to, Edward IV inHenry VI, Part 3 andRichard III. She is a major character in the later play, and afoil to Richard.
  • The Queen of France (hist) appears in the last act ofHenry V.
  • Queen Gertrude is the protagonist's mother inHamlet. She has married Claudius.
  • Queen (unnamed, a composite of the historicalAnne of Bohemia andIsabella of Valois) is Richard's queen inRichard II, exiled upon his deposition.
  • Queen Katherine of Aragon (hist) is the first wife of King Henry inHenry VIII. She falls from grace, is divorced and dies.
  • Queen Margaret (hist) appears as a naive girl inHenry VI, Part 1 and as an embittered old woman inRichard III. She is a central character of the two intervening plays,Henry VI, Part 2 andHenry VI, Part 3, in which she is the wife of Henry VI, and a leader of his armies. In her most notable scene she supervises the murder/execution of Richard Duke of York.
  • Numerous characters are, or become, queens including Anne Bullen, Cleopatra, Cordelia, Hermione, Lady Anne, Lady Macbeth and Titania
• Mistress Quickly (fict) is an important character inHenry IV, Part 1,Henry IV, Part 2,Henry V, andThe Merry Wives of Windsor. She is noted for her lewdmalapropisms anddouble entendres. She is an innkeeper's wife (later his widow) in the Henry plays. She has a different personality, and a different relationship to other characters, inMerry Wives, where she is a servant to Doctor Caius. InHenry V (play) she marries Pistol and later dies of disease.
• Peter Quince is a carpenter inA Midsummer Night's Dream. He plays the prologue toPyramus and Thisbe.
• Quintus and Martius, two sons ofTitus Andronicus, have the same story: returning from the wars they sacrifice one of Tamora's sons. They defy their father over Saturninus' claim to the hand of Lavinia. They are framed and executed for Bassianus' murder.

• Ragozine is a prisoner of the state of Vienna inMeasure for Measure. He dies of a fever, and his head is sent to Angelo in place of Claudio's.
• Rambures (hist) is a French lord inHenry V.
• Sir Richard Ratcliffe (hist) is a confidant of Richard inRichard III.
• Severalreapers dance in the masque inThe Tempest.
• Hugh Rebeck, Simon Catling and James Soundpost are minor characters, musicians, inRomeo and Juliet.
• Regan is the cruel second daughter inKing Lear. She is married to the Duke of Cornwall.
• Reignier (hist) is the impoverished king of Naples and Jerusalem, and father to Queen Margaret, inHenry VI, Part 1.
• Reynaldo is a minor character, an agent of Polonius, inHamlet.
• Richard:
  • King Richard II (hist) is the title character ofRichard II: a king who is deposed and eventually murdered.
  • Richard, Duke of Gloucester, laterKing Richard III (hist), brave but evil, is the third son of Richard, Duke of York (1). He is a fairly minor character inHenry VI, Part 2, is more prominent inHenry VI, Part 3, and is the titular antagonist inRichard III.
  • Richard, Duke of York (1) (hist) is a central character inHenry VI, Part 1,Henry VI, Part 2, andHenry VI, Part 3. He is the Yorkist claimant to the throne of England, in opposition to Henry VI, and he is eventually killed on the orders of Queen Margaret.
  • Richard, Duke of York (2) (hist) is the younger of the twoPrinces in the Tower, murdered on the orders of Richard inRichard III.
  • Sir Richard Ratcliffe (hist) is a confidant of Richard inRichard III.
  • Sir Richard Vernon is a follower of the rebel forces inHenry IV, Part 1.
  • See also Philip (the Bastard) Faulconbridge, who is renamed "Sir Richard" by the King inKing John, and is often addressed as such.
• The Earl of Richmond, laterKing Henry VII (hist) leads the rebellion against the cruel rule ofRichard III, and eventually succeeds him as king.
• Earl Rivers (hist), is the brother to Queen Elizabeth inRichard III. He is arrested and executed on the orders of Richard and Buckingham.
• Robert:
  • Robert is a servingman of Mistress Ford: he carries Falstaff to Datchet Mead in a buck-basket, inThe Merry Wives of Windsor.
  • Robert Faulconbridge (fict) is the legitimate brother of the bastard inKing John. He inherits his father's property.
  • See also Justice Shallow, whose first name is Robert.
• Robin:
  • Robin Starveling is a tailor inA Midsummer Night's Dream. He plays "Moonshine" inPyramus and Thisbe.
  • SeeThe Boy (who is calledRobin inThe Merry Wives of Windsor).
  • SeePuck (who is also calledRobin Goodfellow).
• Roderigo is a gentleman suitor to Desdemona inOthello. He is gulled by Iago throughout the play, and eventually Iago murders him.
• Roman:
  • ARoman (named Ninacor) encounters the Volsce, Adrian, with news that Coriolanus is banished from Rome, inCoriolanus.
  • ThreeRomans, with pillage, appear briefly inCoriolanus.
  • See the other part of a character's title where "Roman" is used as an adjective (e.g. see "Captain" for "Roman Captain").
  • See also Citizen, which is Shakespeare's more usual description for unnamed Romans. Similarly, see Plebeians, Senators, Tribunes
• Romeo is a title character inRomeo and Juliet. The son of Montague, he falls in love withJuliet, the daughter of his father's enemy Capulet, with tragic results.
• Rosalind is the central character ofAs You Like It. She spends the bulk of the play in exile in the Forest of Arden disguised as a boy called Ganymede.
• Rosaline
  • Rosaline is lady attending on the Princess of France inLove's Labour's Lost. She becomes romantically entangled with Berowne.
  • "Rosaline" is who Romeo is initially in love with in "Romeo and Juliet" before falling for Juliet
  • See also Rosalind, who is sometimes addressed as Rosaline.
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are two former friends of the protagonist inHamlet, invited to the Danish court to spy on him. They eventually accompany Hamlet towards England, but he escapes while they continue with the journey, to their deaths.
• Ross
  • Lord Ross (hist) is a supporter of Bolingbroke inRichard II.
  • Ross is a thane inMacbeth.
• Rousillon:
  • The Countess of Rousillon is Bertram's mother, and Helena's protector, inAll's Well That Ends Well.
  • See also Bertram, who is Count of Rousillon.
• John Rugby is a servant to Caius inThe Merry Wives of Windsor.
• Rumour is the prologue toHenry IV, Part 2.
• Rutland (hist) is the youngest son of Richard Duke of York (1), killed in battle while still a boy, by Clifford, inHenry VI, Part 3. (Historically Rutland was not the youngest of the four York brothers depicted in the plays. Shakespeare made him so usingdramatic licence.)
  • For Rycas, see Countryman.
• Rynaldo is a steward to the Countess of Rousillion, inAll's Well That Ends Well. He reveals to the countess that Helena loves Bertram.

• Sailors:
  • Severalsailors, one of whom is a speaking role, deliver letters inHamlet.
  • Asailor brings news of a Turkish fleet to the Venetian Senate, inOthello.
  • Twosailors appear in the storm scene ofPericles, Prince of Tyre, insisting that Thaisa's body be buried at sea, immediately.
  • Asailor of Tyre and asailor of Mytilene, appear briefly in the shipboard reconciliation scene between Pericles and Marina inPericles, Prince of Tyre.
  • Numerous characters are sailors (and see also Master, Boatswain, Captain). Also "sailors" is a common designation for supernumerary characters.
• Salarino is a friend of Solanio, Antonio, Bassanio, and Lorenzo inThe Merchant of Venice.
• Salerio is a friend of Solanio, Antonio, Bassanio, and Lorenzo inThe Merchant of Venice.
• Salisbury:
  • The Earl of Salisbury (hist) delivers bad news to Constance, inKing John.
  • The Earl of Salisbury (hist) remains loyal to King Richard inRichard II.
  • The Earl of Salisbury (hist) fights for the king inHenry V. He is killed by the Master Gunner's Boy inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • The Earl of Salisbury (hist) supports the Yorkists inHenry VI, Part 2.
• Sampson and Gregory, two men of the Capulet household, open the main action ofRomeo and Juliet with their aggressive and lecherous banter.
• Lord Sandys (pronounced "sands") (hist) is a courtier inHenry VIII.
• Saturninus becomes emperor of Rome, and marries Tamora, inTitus Andronicus.
• Lord Saye (hist) is an enemy of Jack Cade, killed by the rebels, inHenry VI, Part 2.
• Lord Scales (hist) is an enemy of Jack Cade's rebels inHenry VI, Part 2.
• Scarus (hist?) is a follower of Antony inAntony and Cleopatra. He reports Antony's retreat to Enobarbus.
• Schoolmaster:
  • ASchoolmaster acts as ambassador from Antony to Caesar, inAntony and Cleopatra.
  • See also Gerald.
  • A number of characters are schoolmasters, including Holofernes and Sir Hugh Evans.
• AScottish Doctor witnesses Lady Macbeth sleepwalking inMacbeth.
• Ascout of the French army reports that the English army has regrouped and is ready to attack, inHenry VI, Part 1.
• Ascribe to the court, and a crier to the court, are minor roles – but they usually have dramatic impact – in the trial scene ofHenry VIII.
• Ascrivener (fict) explains the hypocrisy of Lord Hastings' indictment, inRichard III.
• Scroop:
  • Lord Scroop (hist) is one of the three conspirators against the king's life (with Cambridge and Grey) inHenry V.
  • Scroop (hist) supports Richard inRichard II.
  • See also Archbishop of York.
• George Seacoal is a member of the Watch inMuch Ado About Nothing.
• Sebastian:
  • Sebastian is the twin brother of Viola inTwelfth Night. He is often mistaken for her male persona, Cesario, and Olivia marries him under that misapprehension.
  • Sebastian is the brother of Alonso inThe Tempest. He conspires with Antonio to murder Alonzo and Gonzalo.
  • See also Julia inThe Two Gentlemen of Verona, who calls herself Sebastian in her male disguise.
• For "Second...", see entries under the rest of the character's designation (e.g. Murderer for Second Murderer, Player for Second Player, etc.).
• ASecretary to Cardinal Wolsey is a minor role inHenry VIII: he has prepared Buckingham's Surveyor's examination.
• Seleucus is Cleopatra's treasurer, inAntony and Cleopatra.
• Sempronius:
  • Sempronius is a lord inTimon of Athens, who flatters Titus but proves a false friend.
  • Sempronius, Caius and Valentine are minor characters, kinsmen and supporters of Titus, inTitus Andronicus.
• Senator:
  • SeveralSenators, two of which are speaking roles, hear Brabantio's complaint against Othello, inOthello.
  • At least fourSenators, or more (depending upon if and how they are doubled) appear inTimon of Athens:
    • ASenator is a creditor of Timon, and sends Caphis to collect the debt.
    • ThreeSenators anger Alcibiades by insisting upon a death sentence for his friend.
    • TwoSenators visit Timon in the woods, begging his assistance for Athens.
    • Two furtherSenators hear of the failure of the previous two Senators' approach to Timon.
    • TwoSenators negotiate Athens' surrender to Alcibiades.
    • Senators are also supernumerary characters at Timon's second feast.
  • The RomanSenators, two of them speaking roles, appear inCoriolanus, both as friends and enemies to the title character.
  • TwoSenators and a Tribune discuss the prospects of their impending war with the Britons, inCymbeline.
  • Many major characters in the Roman plays are Senators.
  • Senators are often supernumerary characters in the Roman and Venetian plays.
• Duke Senior is the father of Rosalind. He is the true duke, and has been usurped by his brother, Duke Frederick at the start ofAs You Like It.
• For Sennois, see Countryman.
• TwoSentinels, one a speaking role, appear with a Sergeant on the walls of Orleans, inHenry VI, Part 1.
• ASentry and the Watch (two of whom are minor speaking roles) witness the death of Enobarbus, inAntony and Cleopatra.
• A FrenchSergeant appears with two Sentinels on the walls of Orleans, inHenry VI, Part 1.
• ASergeant-at-Arms accompanies Brandon in the arrest of Buckingham, inHenry VIII.
• Servant:
  • Diomedes' Servant is sent with a message to Cressida, inTroilus and Cressida.
  • Paris' Servant has a clownish exchange with Pandarus inTroilus and Cressida.
  • Aservant (who Shakespeare may have intended to be the same character as "Peter") needs the help of Romeo and Benvolio to read the guest list for Capulet's party, inRomeo and Juliet.
  • Aservant to the Lord Chief Justice is abused by Falstaff inHenry IV, Part 2.
  • Aservant to Olivia is a minor character inTwelfth Night.
  • Aservant to Cardinal Wolsey is a minor character inHenry VIII. He announces the arrival of the disguised king and his followers to Wolsey's party.
  • Twoservants (fict) of Piers of Exton are sounding-boards for his plan to murder Richard, inRichard II.
  • Twoservants (plus a third named Philemon) follow Lord Cerimon, inPericles, Prince of Tyre.
  • Three unnamedservants appear inKing Lear, including one who dies killing the cruel Duke of Cornwall.
  • Three unnamedservants appear inJulius Caesar:
    • A servant of Caesar is sent tobid the priests do present sacrifice, on the morning of the ides of March, and reports the ill-omen that the sacrificed beast had no heart.
    • A servant of Antony comes to the conspirators after the murder of Caesar, to discover whether it is safe for his master to meet them.
    • A servant of Octavius carries messages between Octavius and Antony.
  • InAntony and Cleopatra:
    • Aservant of Antony reports that Thidias has been soundly whipped.
    • Aservant informs Cleopatra of the approach of a messenger from Caesar.
    • "Two or three"servants, two of them speaking roles, lay out a banquet for Pompey and the Triumvirs.
    • "Three or four"servants speak the unison line "The gods forbid!".
  • Numerousservants appear inTimon of Athens:
    • Isidore's Servant pursues his master's claim for money due from Timon. (Isidore is not a character.)
    • Lucius' Servant (at one point addressed as Lucius) is among the servants clamouring for payment of their master's debts in the second such scene, prompting Timon to announce his second feast.
    • Lucullus' Servant announces Flaminius' arrival at Lucullus' home, and provides wine.
    • Two ofVarro's servants pursue their master's claim for money due from Timon. (Varro is not a character, although his first servant is at one point addressed as Varro.)
    • Aservant to the First Lord reports that horses are ready, for Lords to leave Timon's first feast.
    • Threeservants of Timon make announcements at Timon's first feast, and later – with Flavius – mourn for Timon's poverty, and the loss of their jobs.
    • Aservant of Timon approaches Sempronius – unsuccessfully – with a request for funds for Timon.
    • Three of Timon's servants are named characters: Flaminius, Lucilius and Servilius. (See their separate entries.) They may, or may not, have been intended to be doubled with the un-named servants mentioned in the play.
    • The play may contain other supernumerary servants, depending upon how parts are doubled in performance.
    • See also Caphis, Hortensius, Philotus and Titus.
  • Talbot's Servant accompanies the dying Talbot, inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • For Troilus' Servants, see Boy and Man.
  • Numerous characters in the plays are servants. Also, "servant" is a common designation for supernumerary characters.
  • See also Servingman.
• Servilius is a servant ofTimon of Athens, sent – unsuccessfully – to seek money for his master from Lucius.
• Servingman:
  • Aservingman (fict) to the Duke of York brings news of the Duchess of Gloucester's death inRichard II.
  • Threeservingmen to Aufidius discuss the arrival of their master's former arch-enemy as a guest inCoriolanus.
  • Fourservingmen (two of them called "Anthony" and "Potpan") are minor speaking roles in the build-up to Capulet's party inRomeo and Juliet.
  • Numerousservingmen of Winchester and Gloucester (one of Gloucester's being a minor speaking role) brawl inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • Severalservingmen of the Lord, three of whom are speaking roles, attend the hung-over Christopher Sly, trying to fool him into believing he is a lord, in theinduction toThe Taming of the Shrew.
  • Numerous characters in the plays are servingmen. Also, "servingman" is a common designation for supernumerary characters.
  • See also Servant.
• For Servitor, see Servant.
• A Sexton supervises Dogberry's inept examination of Conrade and Borachio, inMuch Ado About Nothing.
• Pompey orSextus Pompeius (hist) is the enemy of the Triumvirate inAntony and Cleopatra.
• Seyton is a servant inMacbeth.
• Seyward:
  • Seyward (hist) is the Earl of Northumberland inMacbeth.
  • Young Seyward (hist) is the son of the Earl of Northumberland inMacbeth.
• Shadow is pressed into military service by Falstaff inHenry IV, Part 2.
• Justice Shallow (fict) is an elderly landowner inHenry IV, Part 2 andThe Merry Wives of Windsor.
• Shepherd:
  • Old Shepherd is the kindly father of the Clown inThe Winter's Tale, who adopts the abandoned Perdita as his daughter.
  • AShepherd says that he is Joan's father, but she disowns him, inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • A number of characters are shepherds or shepherdesses, including Corin, Dorcas, Mopsa and Silvius.
• Sheriff:
  • A Sheriff (hist) holds Eleanor in custody inHenry VI, Part 2.
  • A Sheriff of Wiltshire (fict) denies the condemned Buckingham access to King Richard, inRichard III.
• Shylock is a central character inThe Merchant of Venice – a Jewish money-lender who claims a pound of Antonio's flesh.
• Sicilius Leonatus, father of Posthumus inCymbeline, appears as a ghost, and pleads to Jupiter to resolve Posthumus' troubles.
• Sicinius Velutus andJunius Brutus, two of the tribunes of the people, are the protagonist's chief political enemies inCoriolanus, and prove more effective than his military foes.
• Justice Silence (fict) is an elderly friend of Justice Shallow inHenry IV, Part 2.
• Silius is a follower of Antony, inAntony and Cleopatra.
• Silvia is the faithful lover of Valentine, and the victim of an attempted rape by Proteus, inThe Two Gentlemen of Verona.
• Silvius is a shepherd, in love with Phebe, inAs You Like It.
• Simon Catling, Hugh Rebeck and James Soundpost are minor characters, musicians, inRomeo and Juliet.
• Simonides, king of Pentapolis inPericles, Prince of Tyre, pretends to oppose the romance between his daughter Thaisa and the hero but in fact is delighted by it.
• Simpcox (fict) claims to have been cured of blindness inHenry VI, Part 2.
• Simpcox's Wife is the wife of Simpcox inHenry VI, Part 2.
• Simple is a servant to Slender inThe Merry Wives of Windsor.
• For Siward see Seyward.
• Abraham Slender is a foolish suitor to Anne, and a kinsman of Shallow, inThe Merry Wives of Windsor.
• Christopher Sly is a drunken tinker in theinduction toThe Taming of the Shrew. He is gulled into believing he is a lord.
• Smith the Weaver (fict) is a follower of Jack Cade inHenry VI, Part 2.
• Snare is a constable inHenry IV, Part 2.
• Tom Snout is a tinker inA Midsummer Night's Dream. He plays "Wall" inPyramus and Thisbe.
• Snug is a joiner inA Midsummer Night's Dream. He plays the lion inPyramus and Thisbe.
• Solanio is a friend and counterpart of Salerio inThe Merchant of Venice.
• Soldier:
  • Asoldier discovers that Timon has died, and reports this to the senators, inTimon of Athens.
  • An Englishsoldier (fict) achieves some plunder at the siege of Orleans "using no other weapon but [Talbot's] name", inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • Severalsoldiers, of whom "first soldier" is an important speaking role and "second soldier" a minor speaking role, take part in the capture and mock-interrogation of Parolles, inAll's Well That Ends Well.
  • Two of Coriolanus'soldiers, and one of Aufidius' soldiers, have minor speaking roles inCoriolanus.
  • Twosoldiers of Antony's party capture Lucilius, believing him to be Brutus, inJulius Caesar.
  • Threesoldiers of Brutus' and Cassius' party each speak the one word "stand!" inJulius Caesar.
  • Four Frenchsoldiers (fict), one of them a speaking role, accompany Joan into Rouen disguised as peasants, inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • SeveralSoldiers have minor speaking roles inAntony and Cleopatra, including:
    • a soldier who discusses the progress of the war with Canidius;
    • four soldiers who hear the strange sound ofhautboys beneath the stage;
    • a soldier who acts as a messenger to Antony;
    • a group of Antony's soldiers who share the unison line "Good morrow, General!";
    • one of Antony's soldiers who informs his leader that Enobarbus has deserted to follow Caesar; and
    • one of Caesar's soldiers who informs Enobarbus that Antony has sent Enobarbus his treasure.
  • Soldiers give the shout that Hector is slain by Achilles, inTroilus and Cressida.
  • "Soldiers" is a common designation for supernumerary characters.
• Solinus is the Duke of Ephesus inThe Comedy of Errors.
• Somerset:
  • The Duke of Somerset (1) (hist) is a follower of King Henry inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • The Duke of Somerset (2) (hist) appears among the Lancastrian faction inHenry VI, Part 2. His head is carried onstage by Richard (later Richard III) in the opening scene ofHenry VI, Part 3.
  • The Duke of Somerset (3) is a conflation by Shakespeare of two historical Dukes of Somerset (Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset andEdmund Beaufort, 4th Duke of Somerset). He supports both factions at different stages ofHenry VI, Part 3.
• Somerville (fict) is a follower of Warwick inHenry VI, Part 3.
• Son:
  • Macduff's Son is murdered on Macbeth's orders.
  • A Son who has killed his father at theBattle of Towton appears inHenry VI, Part 3.See also Father.
• Soothsayer:
  • ASoothsayer wisely warns Caesar to beware the Ides of March, inJulius Caesar.
  • ASoothsayer attends on Lucius, and eventually interprets the book given to Posthumus by Jupiter, inCymbeline.
  • ASoothsayer makes a number of predictions, all of which come true in their own way, inAntony and Cleopatra.
• James Soundpost, Simon Catling and Hugh Rebeck are minor characters, musicians, inRomeo and Juliet.
• Southwell (hist, with Hume, Jourdain and Bolingbroke, are the supernatural conspirators with Eleanor Duchess of Gloucester inHenry VI, Part 2.
• ASpaniard, a Frenchman and a Dutchman are guests of Philario, inCymbeline.
• Speed is the slow-witted servant of Valentine, inThe Two Gentlemen of Verona.
• Aspirit is conjured by Jourdain, Southwell, Hume and Bolingbroke to answer Eleanor's questions, inHenry VI, Part 2.
• A number ofsprites serve Prospero inThe Tempest.
• The Mayor of St. Albans appears briefly in the "Simpcox" episode inHenry VI, Part 2.
• Robin Starveling is a tailor inA Midsummer Night's Dream. He plays "Moonshine" inPyramus and Thisbe.
• Stafford:
  • Lord Stafford (hist) is a non-speaking Yorkist inHenry VI, Part 3.
  • Sir Humphrey Stafford (hist) is an enemy of Jack Cade inHenry VI, Part 2.
  • Stafford's Brother (hist) is an enemy of Jack Cade inHenry VI, Part 2.
• Stanley:
  • Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby (hist) is a military leader who ultimately reveals his loyalty to the Richmond faction, in spite of his son being a hostage to Richard, inRichard III.
  • Sir John Stanley supervises Eleanor's penance inHenry VI, Part 2.
  • Sir William Stanley (hist), the historical brother of Lord Stanley fromRichard III, is a minor character of the Yorkist faction inHenry VI, Part 3.
• Stephano:
  • Stephano is a drunken butler inThe Tempest. He conspires with Caliban and Trinculo to kill Prospero and become king of the island.
  • Stephano is a servant of Portia, inThe Merchant of Venice.
• Steward:
  • For "Steward" inAll's Well That Ends Well, see Rynaldo.
  • A number of characters are stewards, most notably Flavius, Malvolio and Philostrate.
• ThreeStrangers (one of them named Hostilius) witness Lucius' hypocrisy in claiming he would help Timon, but then failing to do so, inTimon of Athens.
• Strato is a servant of Brutus inJulius Caesar. He holds Brutus' sword, so that Brutus may kill himself by running onto it.
• Suffolk:
  • The Duke of Suffolk (hist) is a courtier, cynical about the King's relationship with Anne Bullen, inHenry VIII.
  • The Duke of Suffolk (William de la Pole) (hist) is a manipulative character, loved by Queen Margaret, inHenry VI, Part 1 andHenry VI, Part 2.
• Surrey:
  • The Duke of Surrey (hist) accuses Aumerle of plotting Woodstock's death inRichard II.
  • The Earl of Surrey is a supporter of the king inHenry IV, Part 2.
  • The Earl of Surrey (hist) is a son-in-law of Buckingham inHenry VIII.
• ASurveyor to the Duke of Buckingham gives evidence of his (alleged) treachery, inHenry VIII.
• Syracuse:
  • Antipholus of Syracuse, twin of Antipholus of Ephesus – with whom he is often confused, is a central character inThe Comedy of Errors.
  • Dromio of Syracuse, servant to Antipholus of Syracuse and twin of Dromio of Ephesus – with whom he is often confused, is a central character inThe Comedy of Errors.

• For Taborer, see Timothy.
• ATailor is verbally abused by Petruchio inThe Taming of the Shrew.
• Talbot:
  • John Talbot is the son of Sir John Talbot. They die together bravely in battle inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • Sir John Talbot (hist) is the leader of the English forces in France, and therefore the chief enemy of Joan, inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • Talbot's Servant accompanies the dying Talbot, inHenry VI, Part 1.
• Tamora is the evil queen of the Goths who marries Saturninus inTitus Andronicus.
• Taurus (hist) is a follower of Caesar inAntony and Cleopatra.
• Doll Tearsheet (fict) is a whore, who is emotionally involved with Falstaff, and is later arrested for murder inHenry IV, Part 2.
• Thaisa, the wife of the title character inPericles, Prince of Tyre, is buried at sea, believed dead. However her coffin washes up on shore, she is revived by Cerimon, and she becomes a priestess at the temple of Diana.
• Thaliard is a lord of Antioch, ordered to kill Pericles, inPericles, Prince of Tyre.
• ForThanesee Macbeth, Banquo, Macduff, Lennox, Ross, Menteth, Angus and Cathness, all fromMacbeth.
• Thersites is a clown, who serves firstly Ajax and later Achilles, inTroilus and Cressida.
• Theseus (myth) is the Duke of Athens inA Midsummer Night's Dream andThe Two Noble Kinsmen.
• Thidias (hist) is a follower of Caesar inAntony and Cleopatra, sent with messages to Cleopatra and to Antony. Antony has him whipped before sending him back to his master.
• For "Third...", see entries under the rest of the character's designation (e.g. Murderer for Third Murderer, Player for Third Player, etc.).
• ForThisbesee Francis Flute.
• Thomas:
  • Friar Thomas leads an order of friars, and assists Vincentio to disguise himself as a friar, inMeasure for Measure.
  • Sir Thomas Erpingham (hist) is an officer in the English army inHenry V.
  • Sir Thomas Grey (hist) is one of the three conspirators against the king's life (with Cambridge and Scroop) inHenry V.
  • Sir Thomas Lovell (hist) is a courtier of King Henry, inHenry VIII.
  • Sir Thomas Vaughan (hist) is executed, alongside Rivers and Grey, inRichard III.
  • Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury (hist) is a major character in the last act ofHenry VIII: hauled before theprivy council by his enemies and threatened with imprisonment, but protected by the king.
  • Thomas Cromwell (hist) is secretary to Wolsey, and later to the Privy Council, inHenry VIII.
  • Thomas, Duke of Clarence (hist) is Hal's younger brother, who appears inHenry IV, Part 2 andHenry V.
  • Thomas Horner (fict) fights a duel with his apprentice Peter Thump inHenry VI, Part 2.
  • Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk (hist) is Bolingbroke's enemy, exiled by Richard, inRichard II.
  • For Thomas Percy, see Earl of Worcester.
  • See also Tom.
• Peter Thump (fict) fights a duel with his master Thomas Horner inHenry VI, Part 2.
• Thurio is a cowardly suitor to Silvia (and therefore a rival of Valentine) inThe Two Gentlemen of Verona.
• Timandra and Phrynia are whores, or mistresses of Alcibiades, inTimon of Athens.
• Time, personified, acts as a chorus inThe Winter's Tale, bridging the sixteen-year gap between the third and fourth acts.
• Timon (hist) is the central character ofTimon of Athens. His over-generosity leads him into poverty, and his friends abandon him.
• Timothy plays a tabor in the Maying ceremony inThe Two Noble Kinsmen.
• Titania is Queen of the Fairies inA Midsummer Night's Dream. Under the influence oflove in idleness, she falls in love with Bottom (with his ass's head).
• Titinius is a loyal follower of Cassius, inJulius Caesar. He kills himself with Cassius' sword, at Philippi.
• Titus:
  • Titus is a servant, sent to extract payment of a debt fromTimon of Athens.
  • Titus Andronicus is the central character ofTitus Andronicus. Broken and sent mad by Tamora and her followers, he eventually exacts his revenge by killing her sons, and cooking them for her to eat.
  • Titus Lartius andCominius are leaders of the Roman forces against the Volscians inCoriolanus.
• Sir Toby Belch is a drunken knight, and kinsman to Olivia, inTwelfth Night.
• Tom:
  • Tom Snout is a tinker inA Midsummer Night's Dream. He plays "Wall" inPyramus and Thisbe.
  • ForPoor Tomsee Edgar.
  • See also Thomas.
• ForSir Topassee Feste.
• Touchstone is a clown inAs You Like It.
• Tranio is a servant to Lucentio inThe Taming of the Shrew. He disguises himself as Lucentio, to enable Lucentio carry throughhis disguise.
• Travers (fict) is a messenger to the Earl of Northumberland inHenry IV, Part 2.
• Trebonius (hist) is one of the conspirators againstJulius Caesar.
• Tressell and Berkeley (fict) are the two gentlemen accompanying Lady Anne, and Henry VI's coffin, inRichard III.
• Tribune:
  • ATribune and two senators discuss the prospects of their impending war with the Britons, inCymbeline.
  • Several characters are Tribunes, including Flavius and Marullus inJulius Caesar, and Sicinius and Brutus inCoriolanus.
• Trinculo is a clown, a friend to Stephano, inThe Tempest.
• Troilus (myth) is a young Trojan prince who falls in love with Cressida during theTrojan War inTroilus and Cressida.
• Troy/Trojan:
  • For Sir Pandarus of Troy, see Pandarus.
  • For King of Troy see Priam.
  • Numerous characters inTroilus and Cressida are Trojans.
• Tubal is a wealthy Jew, a friend to Shylock, inThe Merchant of Venice.
• Tullus Aufidius, leader of the Volscians, is the arch-enemy, and briefly the ally, of the title character inCoriolanus.
• A Tutor (fict) fails to save the life of his pupil, Rutland, inHenry VI, Part 3.
• Tybalt, cousin to Juliet, is a fiery-tempered character inRomeo and Juliet. He kills Mercutio, and is killed by Romeo.
• Sir James Tyrrell (hist) is employed to murder theprinces in the tower inRichard III.

• Ulysses (myth) is one of the Greek leaders inTroilus and Cressida.
• Ursula is a maid inMuch Ado About Nothing.
• Christopher Urswick (hist) is a minor character: a priest acting as messenger for Lord Stanley, inRichard III.

• Valentine:
  • Valentine is one ofThe Two Gentlemen of Verona. He falls in love with Silvia, becomes exiled, and leads a band of robbers.
  • Valentine is an attendant on Orsino inTwelfth Night.
  • Valentine, Caius and Sempronius are minor characters, kinsmen and supporters of Titus, inTitus Andronicus.
  • Valentine is Mercutio's brother inRomeo and Juliet. He is mentioned as a guest of Lord Capulet's party.
• Valeria is a friend of Volumnia or Virgilia inCoriolanus. She brings news of Coriolanus' exploits.
• Valerius is a Thebean, a follower of Creon, who brings news of a forthcoming battle toThe Two Noble Kinsmen.
• Varrius:
  • Varrius, a friend of the Duke, is a non-speaking role (although he is addressed by name, and therefore falls just short of being aghost character) inMeasure for Measure.
  • Varrius is a follower of Pompey inAntony and Cleopatra.
• Varro:
  • Varro and Claudius are guards in Brutus' tent, inJulius Caesar. They do not see Caesar's ghost.
  • For Varro's Servants, inTimon of Athens, see servant.
• Sir Thomas Vaughan (hist) is executed, alongside Rivers and Grey, inRichard III.
• Vaux:
  • Sir Nicholas Vaux (hist) is a minor character in the scene leading to Buckingham's execution, inHenry VIII.
  • Vaux (hist) is a minor character of the Lancastrian party inHenry VI, Part 2.
• Sicinius Velutus andJunius Brutus, two of the tribunes of the people, are the title character's chief political enemies inCoriolanus, and prove more effective than his military foes.
• Duke of Venice:
  • The Duke of Venice tries the case between Shylock and Antonio inThe Merchant of Venice.
  • The Duke of Venice hears Brabantio's complaint againstOthello.
• Ventidius:
  • Ventidius (hist) is a follower of Antony inAntony and Cleopatra.
  • Ventidius is bailed by Timon inTimon of Athens, then attends Timon's first feast offering to repay the debt, which Timon refuses. Later, however, he refuses Timon's request for funds.
• Verges, accompanied by Dogberry, is a clownish officer of the watch inMuch Ado About Nothing.
• Vernon:
  • Sir Richard Vernon is a follower of the rebel forces inHenry IV, Part 1.
  • Vernon (fict) is a supporter of Richard, Duke of York (1) inHenry VI, Part 1.
• Escalus, Prince of Verona tries to keep the peace between Montague and Capulet, inRomeo and Juliet.
• ForDuke of Viennasee Vincentio inMeasure for Measure.
• Vincentio:
  • Vincentio, the Duke of Vienna, is a central character inMeasure for Measure. Disguised as Friar Lodowick, he intrigues to achieve justice for Isabella and other virtuous characters.
  • Vincentio is the father of Lucentio inThe Taming of the Shrew.
  • See also The Pedant, who falsely claims to be Vincentio inThe Taming of the Shrew.
• Avintner (who may be the husband of Mistress Quickly) appears briefly inHenry IV, Part 1.
• Viola is the central character ofTwelfth Night. She disguises herself as a boy and calls herself “Cesario”, to serve on Orsino's staff. Viola falls in love with Orsino, but Orsino is in love with Olivia, and Olivia falls in love with Cesario (Viola).
• Virgilia is the hero's wife inCoriolanus.
• Volsce/Volscian:
  • AVolsce (named Adrian) encounters the Roman, Ninacor, and hears the news that Coriolanus is banished from Rome inCoriolanus.
  • See the other part of a character's title where "Volsce" is used as an adjective (e.g. see "Lords" for "Volscian Lords").
• Voltemand and Cornelius are two ambassadors from Claudius to the Norwegian court, inHamlet.
• Volumnia is Coriolanus' mother. She persuades him not to attack Rome, leading to his destruction, inCoriolanus.
• Volumnius (hist) is a friend and follower of Brutus inJulius Caesar. He refuses to assist Brutus' suicide.

• AWaiting Woman exchanges bawdy banter with Emilia, inThe Two Noble Kinsmen.
• ForWallsee Tom Snout.
• Walter:
  • Sir Walter Blunt is a soldier and messenger to the king inHenry IV, Part 1. He is killed by Douglas while wearing the king's armour.
  • Sir Walter Herbert is a follower of Richmond inRichard III.
  • Walter Whitmore (fict) kills Suffolk inHenry VI, Part 2.
• TwoWarders of the Tower of London bar Gloucester's entrance: leading to a fight between Gloucester's men and Winchester's men, inHenry VI, Part 1.
• Wart is pressed into military service by Falstaff inHenry IV, Part 2.
• Earl of Warwick:
  • The Earl of Warwick (1) (hist) is a supporter of King Henry inHenry IV, Part 2.
  • The Earl of Warwick (2) (hist) is an important player in the Wars of the Roses, firstly for the Yorkist party, and then for the Lancastrians. He appears inHenry VI, Part 1,Henry VI, Part 2, andHenry VI, Part 3.
• Watch/Watchmen:
  • TheWatch of the city of Rouen allows Joan and her soldiers, disguised, to enter the gates, inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • TheWatch (two of whom are minor speaking roles), and a Sentry, witness the death of Enobarbus, inAntony and Cleopatra.
  • ThreeWatchmen guard King Edward IV's tent, inHenry VI, Part 3.
  • SeveralWatchmen, two of them speaking roles, serve under Dogberry and Verges, and apprehend Conrade and Borachio, inMuch Ado About Nothing. Two of them are called Hugh Oatcake and George Seacoal.
  • SeveralWatchmen, three of them speaking roles, discover the carnage at Capulet's tomb, at the end ofRomeo and Juliet.
  • Several VolscianWatchmen, two of them speaking roles, try to prevent Menenius meetingCoriolanus.
• Smith the Weaver (fict) is a follower of Jack Cade inHenry VI, Part 2.
• ForWeird Sisters, see Witches.
• The Abbott of Westminster (fict) supports Richard and the Bishop of Carlisle inRichard II.
• Earl of Westmoreland:
  • The Earl of Westmoreland (1) (hist) is one of the leaders of the royal forces inHenry IV, Part 1,Henry IV, Part 2, andHenry V.
  • The Earl of Westmoreland (2) (hist) fights for King Henry inHenry VI, Part 3.
• Walter Whitmore (fict) kills Suffolk inHenry VI, Part 2.
• Widow:
  • AWidow, mother to Diana, provides lodgings to Helena inAll's Well That Ends Well.
  • AWidow marries Hortensio, and behaves shrewishly in the final act ofThe Taming of the Shrew.
• Wife:
  • For Wife of Macduff, see Lady Macduff.
  • For the Merry Wives of Windsor, see Mistress Ford and Mistress Page.
• Will is a drawer inHenry IV, Part 2.
• William:
  • The Duke of Suffolk (William de la Pole) (hist) is a manipulative character, loved by Queen Margaret, inHenry VI, Part 1 andHenry VI, Part 2.
  • Sir William Lucy (fict) is a soldier and messenger for the English in France inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • Sir William Stanley (hist), the historical brother of Lord Stanley fromRichard III, is a minor character of the Yorkist faction inHenry VI, Part 3.
  • William is a foolish youth, a suitor to Audrey, inAs You Like It.
  • William Page is a minor youthful comic character, the son of Master and Mistress Page, and the younger brother of Anne Page inThe Merry Wives of Windsor.
• Michael Williams (fict) (notably played byMichael Williams inKenneth Branagh'sfilm version) is a soldier who challenges the disguised Henry to a duel inHenry V.
• Willoughby (hist) is a supporter of Bolingbroke inRichard II.
• A Sheriff of Wiltshire (fict) denies the condemned Buckingham access to King Richard, inRichard III.
• Winchester:
  • The Bishop of Winchester (hist) (later "the Cardinal") is the chief enemy of Humphrey Duke of Gloucester inHenry VI, Part 1 andHenry VI, Part 2.
  • ForThe Bishop of WinchesterinHenry VIII, see Gardiner.
• Three Witches initiate Macbeth's lust for the crown of Scotland inMacbeth.
• Cardinal Wolsey (hist) orchestrates the fall from grace of Buckingham and Katherine, but himself falls from grace and dies, inHenry VIII.
• For Woman (inThe Two Noble Kinsmen) see Waiting Woman.
• Woodville:
  • Woodville (hist) is Lieutenant of the Tower of London inHenry VI, Part 1.
  • See also Queen Elizabeth, Rivers, Dorset and Grey, all of whom are of the Woodville clan.
• AWooer of the Jailer's Daughter stays loyal to her throughout her madness, pretends to be Palamon in her presence, and after her cure, marries her, inThe Two Noble Kinsmen.
• The Earl of Worcester (hist) is the brother of the Earl of Northumberland, and a leader of the rebel forces, inHenry IV, Part 1.

• Yorick:Yorick
• York:
  • Archbishop of York:
    • The Archbishop of York (1) (hist) is one of the rebel leaders inHenry IV, Part 1 andHenry IV, Part 2.
    • The Archbishop of York (2) (hist) assists Queen Elizabeth and the little Duke of York to obtain sanctuary inRichard III.
  • Duchess of York:
    • The Duchess of York (1) (unnamed) character inRichard II, a composite ofIsabella of Castile, Duchess of York, died 1392, the mother of Aumerle, andJoan Holland, who bore no children
    • The Duchess of York (2) (hist) is the wife of Richard, Duke of York (1) inHenry VI, Part 3. She outlives him to mourn the death of two of their sons inRichard III.
  • Duke of York:
    • The Duke of York (1) (hist) is the uncle of both Richard and Bolingbroke, and the father of Aumerle, inRichard II.
    • The Duke of York (2) (hist) is a minor character, the leader of the "v award" inHenry V. (Historically, this character is the same person as Aumerle.)
    • Richard, Duke of York (1) (hist) is a central character inHenry VI, Part 1,Henry VI, Part 2, andHenry VI, Part 3. He is the Yorkist claimant to the throne of England, in opposition to Henry VI, and he is eventually killed on the orders of Queen Margaret.
    • Richard, Duke of York (2) (hist) is the younger of the twoprinces in the tower, murdered on the orders of Richard inRichard III.
  • The Mayor of York (hist) reluctantly supports the Yorkists inHenry VI, Part 3.
  • Prince Edward of York laterKing Edward V (hist) is the eldest son of Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth. He appears inHenry VI, Part 3, and is the elder of the twoprinces in the tower inRichard III.
  • See also Edmund Mortimer, Aumerle, Queen Elizabeth and Lady Anne, all of whom are "of the House of York" directly or through marriage.
• Young:
  • Young Cato is a soldier of Brutus' and Cassius' party, inJulius Caesar.
  • Young Lucius, son of Lucius inTitus Andronicus, and usually cast as a child, plays a part in exposing his aunt's rapists.
  • Young Seyward is the son of the Earl of Northumberland inMacbeth.
  • For Young Martius inCoriolanus, see Boy.
  • See also Clifford.

• List of Shakespearean characters (A–K)

• Open Source Shakespeare character list: counting the number of lines for each character.

• Shakespearean characters
• Lists of theatre characters
• Lists of literary characters by writers

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata