She Stoops to Conquer Character
MH
Mr. Hardcastle
Supporting
Kind
Old-fashioned
Hospitable
Calm
Mr. Hardcastle is an elderly, good-natured man who loves old things and the quiet of country life. He is the patriarch of the Hardcastle household and a friend of Sir Charles Marlow. He wishes for his daughter Kate to marry Charles Marlow.
MH
Mrs. Hardcastle
Antagonist
Ambitious
Materialistic
Scheming
Obsessed with city life
Mrs. Hardcastle is Mr. Hardcastle's wife and mother to Tony Lumpkin. She is enamoured with city life and fashionable society. She schemes to have her niece Constance marry Tony so that Constance's valuable jewels remain within the family.
KH
Kate Hardcastle
Protagonist
Clever
Smart
Kind
Resourceful
Kate Hardcastle is the daughter of Mr. Hardcastle and the female lead of the play. She is intelligent and quick-witted, devising a plan to disguise herself as a poor girl in order to test Charles Marlow's true character. She is also close friends and confidantes with her cousin Constance Neville.
CM
Charles Marlow
Protagonist
Well-educated
Polite
Shy around women of rank
Bold with lower-class women
Charles Marlow is the son of Sir Charles Marlow and the male lead of the play. Despite being well-educated and well-mannered, he is extremely shy and tongue-tied in the presence of upper-class women, yet confident around those he perceives as poor or simple. His courtship of Kate forms the central plot of the play.
TL
Tony Lumpkin
Supporting
Mischievous
Playful
Funny
Cunning
Tony Lumpkin is Mrs. Hardcastle's son from her first marriage and Kate's half-brother. He is a jovial prankster who tricks Marlow and Hastings into mistaking Mr. Hardcastle's home for an inn. Despite being engaged to Constance by arrangement, he has no desire to marry her and ultimately helps her and Hastings in their plans.
GH
George Hastings
Supporting
Loyal
Romantic
Determined
Resourceful
George Hastings is Charles Marlow's closest friend and companion. He is deeply in love with Constance Neville and is determined to elope with her despite the obstacles placed in their way by Mrs. Hardcastle.
CN
Constance Neville
Supporting
Intelligent
Determined
Romantic
Practical
Constance Neville is Kate Hardcastle's cousin and close confidante, niece to Mrs. Hardcastle. Orphaned, she stands to inherit a set of valuable jewels. She is in love with George Hastings and wishes to avoid the arranged match with Tony Lumpkin, working alongside her friends to secure her freedom.
SC
Sir Charles Marlow
Minor
Respectable
Friendly
Hopeful
Gentlemanly
Sir Charles Marlow is the father of Charles Marlow and an old friend of Mr. Hardcastle. He hopes that his son will marry Kate Hardcastle and plays a role in the resolution of the play's romantic plot.
P
Pimple
Minor
Helpful
Loyal
Discreet
Pimple is Kate Hardcastle's personal maid. She assists Kate in executing her plan to disguise herself and test Charles Marlow's character.
D
Diggory
Minor
Well-meaning
Bumbling
Obedient
Diggory is one of the servants at Mr. Hardcastle's house. Along with the other servants, he attempts to behave properly and present a good impression to the guests, often with comic results.