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The School for Scandal - Characters List

 Sir Peter Teazle 

A benevolent and wealthy gentleman who has a young wife and a ward,

Maria. He took Joseph and Charles Surface under his care after the death of their father, but

they are now independent because of the inheritance received from their uncle. Sir Peter

favors Joseph as a future husband for Maria and disapproves of Charles.

• Lady Teazle 

 Sir Peter’s wife, she is much younger than he is; they have only been married

for six months. She is a simple country girl who has been spoiled by her husband’s wealth,

so that she squanders his fortune and the two quarrel constantly.

• Maria 

 Sir Peter’s ward, she is beloved by both Joseph and Charles Surface, but loves only

Charles.

• Joseph Surface 

 An upright young man in appearance but in reality a hypocrite, he is in love

with Maria, but, being rebuffed by her, seeks the help of Lady Sneerwell to obtain her

affection.

• Charles SuTeazle

A dissipated rake with a good heart, he is beloved by both Maria and Lady

Sneerwell.

• Sir Oliver Surface 

Uncle to Joseph and Charles, he has given them an inheritance that has

allowed them to become independent since they have come of age. He returns incognito

after sixteen years in India and decides to test the characters of his nephews.

• Lady Sneerwell 

A widow who loves to create and spread gossip, she is a neighbor of Sir

Peter and is secretly in love with Charles Surface, thus desires to help Joseph obtain Maria’s

affection.

• Snake 

 Part of Lady Sneerwell’s circle who helps her in her schemes, but is out for his own

interests.

• Sir Benjamin Backbite 

Also in love with Maria, he fancies himself a poet and is a dreadful

gossip.

• Crabtree 

 Sir Benjamin’s uncle; also a gossip.

Mrs. Candour 

 A professedly kindhearted woman who speaks well of everyone in such a

way as to ruin their reputations in the process.

• Rowley 

 The steward of Joseph and Charles’ deceased father, he plots with Sir Oliver to

unveil the true characters of Joseph and Charles.

• Moses 

A Jewish man to whom Charles owes a great deal of money.

• Trip - Charles’ servant.

• Careless and Sir Toby Bumper - Friends of Charles.


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