Julio
Julio is one of the major characters in the play. He is the son of Camillo and because no no other siblings are mentioned, we can assume he is the only son. Julio comes from a well-off family but his status can’t be compared with that of Henriquez and his family’s. Julio became a food friend with Henriquez and so, when he was summoned to go and perform his duties at the Duke’s court, he confided in Henriquez about his love for a woman named Leonora and before he leaves, he tasks him with the responsibility of making sure no one marries her in his absence. Despite his plan not working out, Julio does not give up on Leonora and the two are married at the end of the play.
Camillo
Camillo is Julio’s father in the play. He is rather an easy man to fool but also someone who loves his son dearly. After Julio runs away when he finds that he will no longer be able to marry Leonora, Camillo is heartbroken and does everything he can to bring his son back. When Julio reemerges, Camillo is happy and is willing to do everything he can to make his son happy.
Henriquez
Henriquez is the oldest son of the Duke. In the beginning of the play, he does not appear in person but he is talked about by his father and his older brother. From their conversation, it is clear that Henriquez is the man his father wanted him to be. Instead of being a calm and virtuous man, Henriquez was spending his money uncontrollably while also seducing young women wherever he went. Because of this, Henriquez’s brother was sent to investigate the situation. At the end of the play, Henriquez agrees to marry Violante, one of the women he seduced.
Duke Angelo
Duke Angelo is often referred to as only the Duke. He is described as being an extremely wealthy man, with a lot of power and influence. It is implied that his wife died a long time ago and he was left with his two sons. The Duke sent his oldest son, Roderick, to investigate the life of his younger son, Henriquez, and to report on him. From this action, we can understand that the Duke did not trust his youngest son.
Roderick
Roderick is the Duke’s oldest son and Henriquez’s older brother. In comparison with Henriquez, Roderick is a kind and good man, someone who wants to help those around him. Roderick is trusted by his father and as a result he is sent to investigate his own brother. During the time he was away, Roderick learned who his brother really was and reported back to his father. He was also the one who brought happiness to the characters in the play, making sure they ended up with the person they truly loved.
Don Bernard
Don Bernard is in the play Leonora’s father. Don Bernard is a wealthy man and because of this he is looking for a suitable match for his only daughter. Don Bernard refuses to let Leonora marry Julio because he was beneath her from a social point of view and instead insisted she marries Henriquez, a much more suitable person for her. Don Bernard realizes just how much his daughter was suffering only when she tried to kill herself after being told she will have to marry Henriquez. In the end, Don Bernard agreed to let Leonora marry Henriquez.
Citizen
The citizen is a random man with whom is asked by Leonora to deliver a letter from her to Julio after she found out she is to be married to Henriquez. Initially, the man claims he will take the letter for free because he feel sorry for Leonora but when she gives him money, he accepts readily.
Leonora
Leonora is another woman in the play. She comes from a well-off family and thus her father was extremely interested in making sure she would get a good match. Leonora falls in love with Julio, a person whom her father did not sees as a possible suitor. When Leonora is told she will not be able to marry him, she tries to kill herself, showing just how much she loved him. in the end, Leonora is allowed to marry Julio, the man she loved.
Gerald
Gerald is the name given to Henriquez’s servant. He is the only named servant in the play.
The First and Second Shepherd
The two shepherds appear in the scenes where Violante decided to dress as a male and try to become a shepherd as well.
Various maids and servants
Throughout the play, there are many servants and maids who appear on stage, serving various characters. The vast majority are not named and they do not speak either, being mentioned only in the stage directions.
