122 Unforgettable Characters in English Literature You Must Know

Table of Contents
This post unveils a spectacular lineup of 122 iconic characters, each leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of English literature. From the comedic charm of Dickens to the poetic grace of Shakespeare, these characters take center stage, weaving tales of love, tragedy, adventure, and whimsy. Join us as we celebrate the literary luminescence brought to life by these unforgettable personalities, making each story a timeless masterpiece. Get ready to be swept away in a symphony of words and emotions, as we explore the diverse realms of imagination created by these literary maestros.

1. Sir Anthony Absolute: The lively senior in Sheridan’s The Rivals, rocking both age and a warm heart. Comedy royalty!

2. Parson Adams: The innocent village clergyman in Fielding’s Joseph Andrews. Pure-hearted and clueless, the laugh riot of the story.

3. Admirable Crichon: The butler extraordinaire in J. M. Barrie’s fantasy play, stealing the show with his impeccable service.

4. Agnes: The daughter of Mr. Wickfield in Dickens’ David Copperfield, stepping into the limelight as Copperfield’s leading lady post-Dora drama.

5. Little Emily: The niece with a wandering heart in Dickens’ David Copperfield, ditching Ham for Steerforth in a romantic twist.

6. Alice: The adventurous young lady in Lewis Carroll's Wonderland, bringing whimsy and curiosity to life.

7. Allworthy: The charitable gentleman in Fielding’s Tom Jones, discovering familial surprises and spreading goodness.

8. Almayer: The Englishman in Malaya, starring in Joseph Conrad’s Almayer’s Folly and navigating exotic adventures.

9. Amelia: The leading lady in Fielding’s and Thackeray’s novels, juggling roles and stealing hearts.

10. Ancient Mariner: The curse-carrying hero in Coleridge’s famous poem, teaching us the perils of albatross trouble.

11. Joseph Andrews: The hero of Fielding’s novel, embarking on adventures that make him unforgettable.

12. Antonio: The merchant facing a pound-of-flesh trial in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, a dramatic courtroom star.

13. Bassanio: The lucky groom in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, winning Portia’s heart and a whole lot more.

14. Enoch Arden: Tennyson’s hero returning to find his life turned upside down, a romantic adventurer with a heart-wrenching tale.

15. Ariel: The spirited character in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, also a chief spirit in the whimsical Rape of the Lock.

16. Blinda: The belle in the comedic masterpiece, the Rape of the Lock, adding grace and charm to the narrative.

17. Lucy Ashton: The star of Scott’s Bride of the Lammermoor, with a love story that’s both passionate and tragic.

18. Sir Benjamin Backbite: The gossip guru in Sheridan’s The School for Scandal, making mischief his art form.

19. Banquo: The ill-fated character in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, haunting Macbeth post-murder.

20. Barkis: The penny-pinching coach driver in Dickens’ David Copperfield, proving that love comes in unexpected packages.

21. Dora: The youthful bride in Dickens’ David Copperfield, experiencing love and loss in a rollercoaster marriage.

22. Beatrice: The spirited heroine in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, making witty banter an art.

23. Benedick: The charming lead in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, proving that love and laughter go hand in hand.

24. Adam Bede: George Eliot’s hero navigating the complexities of life in a small village, with heartache and triumph.

25. Sir Toby Belch: The merrymaker in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, marrying cleverness in the form of Maria.

26. Elizabeth Bennet: The vivacious heroine of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, setting the standard for wit and romance.

27. Nick Bottom: The chief comedian in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a role that's downright hilarious.

28. Sue Bridehead: The leading lady in Hardy’s Jude the Obscure, navigating love and societal expectations.

29. Father Brown: G. K. Chesterton’s crime-solving priest, proving that faith and crime can make for an intriguing mix.

30. Marcus Brutus: The Roman patriot in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, standing tall in the face of political turmoil.

31. Caliban: The monster-servant in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, giving us a lesson in loyalty and betrayal.

32. Candida: The leading lady in G. B. Shaw’s play, striking a balance in love and fidelity.

33. James Carker: The head clerk with a tumultuous love affair in Dickens’ Dombey and Son, making office romance a perilous game.

34. Mr. Dombey: The money-loving merchant in Dickens’ Dombey and Son, proving that wealth doesn’t always bring happiness.

35. Madame Defarge: The influential woman in Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, shaping destinies with her knitting.

36. Sydney Carton: Dickens’ hero sacrificing for love in A Tale of Two Cities, proving that redemption is a powerful force.

37. Cassio: The man suspected of love intrigues in Shakespeare’s Othello, adding spice to the tragedy.

38. Cassius: A conspirator in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, playing a part in the downfall of a ruler.

39. Lady Chatterley: The passionate lady in D. H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover, proving that love knows no societal bounds.

40. Lord Byron’s Child Harold: The brooding hero in Byron’s famous poem, embodying the Romantic spirit.

41. Christabel: Coleridge’s incomplete poem's heroine, bringing mystery and enchantment to the narrative.

42. Martin Chuzzlewit: Dickens’ titular character in a tale of twists and turns, navigating life’s complexities.

43. Angel Clare: The hero of Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles, a character with a heart as pure as his name suggests.

44. Alec D’Urberville: The seducer in Hardy’s Tess of D’Urbervilles, causing heartaches and turmoil.

45. Claudius: The scheming uncle in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, adding a touch of villainy to the tragedy.

46. Cleopatra: The mesmerizing queen in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, Dryden’s All for Love, and Shaw’s Caesar and Cleopatra.

47. Humphrey Clinker: The hero in Smollett’s eponymous novel, a name that's as quirky as the character.

48. David Copperfield: Dickens’ iconic protagonist, a coming-of-age hero navigating life’s highs and lows.

49. Mr. Dick: The solicitor in Dickens’ David Copperfield, proving that eccentricity has its charm.

50. Cordelia: The embodiment of devotion in Shakespeare’s King Lear, a symbol of pure and selfless love.

51. Sir Roger de Coverley: The countryside representative in Addison and Steele’s Spectator, bringing rural charm to the mix.

52. Mr. Creakle: Dickens’ infamous and cruel headmaster, making school life an unforgettable experience.

53. Cymbeline: The king of England in Shakespeare’s drama of the same name, steering the narrative with regal flair.

54. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The prejudiced aristocrat in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, proving that love can conquer pride.

55. Desdemona: The beautiful damsel in Shakespeare’s Othello, caught in the web of jealousy and tragedy.

56. Emilia: Iago’s wife in Shakespeare’s Othello, adding a layer of complexity to the play.

57. Gavin Dishart


: The hero in J. M. Barrie’s Little Minister, combining charm and courage.

58. William Dobbin: The shy young man in Thackeray’s Vanity Fair, proving that quiet strength has its own allure.

59. Quentin Durward: The hero in Scott’s romance of the same name, navigating a world of chivalry and intrigue.

60. Beatrix Esmond: The heroine in Thackeray’s Henry Esmond, bringing a touch of romance to historical drama.

61. Estella: The young heroine in Dickens’ Great Expectations, with a name as enchanting as her story.

62. Bathsheba Everdene: The headstrong heroine in Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd, proving that love is a complex game.

63. Jane Eyre: Charlotte Bronte’s iconic protagonist, a beacon of strength and resilience.

64. Faithful: The companion in Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, proving that friendship is a journey worth taking.

65. Sir John Falstaff: Shakespeare’s comedic legend in Henry IV, part I & II, a character larger than life itself.

66. Dr. Faustus: Marlowe’s infamous soul-seller, making a pact with the devil in a timeless tale.

67. Ferdinand: The hero in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, marrying Prospero’s daughter in a tempestuous romance.

68. Richard Feveral: The hero in Meredith’s Ordeal of Richard Feveral, navigating trials and tribulations.

69. Moll Flanders: Defoe’s notorious harlot and jailbird, proving that notoriety can be a wild adventure.

70. Friday Man: Robinson Crusoe’s savage sidekick in Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, adding a dash of wildness to the narrative.

71. Sir Galahad: The knight in Tennyson’s Arthurian legend, on a quest for the Holy Grail, embodying purity.

72. Mrs. Sarah Gamp: Dickens’ comically umbrella-toting nurse, making bedside manners an art.

73. Sir Charles Grandison: The hero in Richardson’s novel, a figure of elegance and virtue.

74. Dorian Gray: Wilde’s sensualist in The Picture of Dorian Gray, exploring the darker side of pleasure.

75. Vivian Grey: Disraeli’s clever young man, proving that wit can be a powerful weapon.

76. Guinevere: King Arthur’s conflicted queen in Arthurian legends, embodying love’s complexities.

77. Lemuel Gulliver: Swift’s traveler in Gulliver’s Travels, taking us on a satirical journey.

78. Hamlet: Shakespeare’s tragic hero, caught in the web of revenge and existential ponderings.

79. Horatio: Hamlet’s loyal friend, offering a steadying presence in the midst of turmoil.

80. Mr. & Mrs. Hardcastle: The hilarious duo in Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer, making laughter a marital affair.

81. Clarissa Harlow: The young heroine in Richardson’s novel, navigating a world of love and social expectations.

82. Hastings: The lover in Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer, adding a touch of romance to the comedy.

83. Miss Havisham: Dickens’ spinster with a dark agenda in Great Expectations, turning heartbreak into an art form.

84. Jim Hawkins: Stevenson’s young hero in Treasure Island, embarking on a thrilling pirate adventure.

85. Heathcliff: Bronte’s iconic hero in Wuthering Heights, a figure of brooding passion and tragedy.

86. Uriah Heep: Dickens’ villainous hypocrite in David Copperfield, proving that deceit can take many forms.

87. Michael Henchard: Hardy’s tragic hero in The Mayor of Casterbridge, navigating the pitfalls of fate.

88. Sherlock Holmes: Doyle’s detective extraordinaire, solving crimes with unmatched brilliance.

89. Captain Hook: Barrie’s pirate captain in Peter Pan, proving that even villains can have a flair for the dramatic.

90. Iachimo: The villain in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, adding intrigue to the dramatic landscape.

91. Iago: Shakespeare’s infamous villain in Othello, a mastermind of manipulation.

92. Imogen: The unhappy wife in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, caught in a web of deception.

93. Ivanhoe: The hero in Scott’s eponymous novel, bringing chivalry and adventure to life.

94. Jacques: The melancholy lord in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, providing a philosophical touch to the comedy.

95. Dr. Jekyll: Stevenson’s noble doctor with a dark side in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, exploring the duality of human nature.

96. Jessica: Shylock’s daring daughter in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, making a bold romantic move.

97. Lord Jim: Conrad’s hero in the eponymous novel, exploring themes of guilt and redemption.

98. Tom Jones: The charming hero in Fielding’s famous novel, proving that a roguish smile can win hearts.

99. Jude Fawley: The hero in Hardy’s Jude the Obscure, navigating societal norms and personal struggles.

100. Juliet: The iconic heroine in Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, the epitome of youthful and tragic love.

101. Kim: Kipling’s orphan boy navigating an adventurous journey, proving that the world is full of surprises.

102. Kipps: The hero in H. G. Wells’ novel, an everyday character navigating the twists of life.

103. Lady of the Lake: The enchanting figure in Tennyson’s Idylls of the King, adding magic to the narrative.

104. Lady of Shalott: The tragic heroine in Tennyson’s poem, weaving a tale of love and doom.

105. Lydia Languish: The romantic dreamer in Sheridan’s The Rivals, proving that love can be a whimsical affair.

106. King Lear: Shakespeare’s tragic monarch, navigating familial strife with tragic consequences.

107. Little Dorrit: Dickens’ heroine in a world of debt and intrigue, proving that even the smallest can be the strongest.

108. Little Nell: The child heroine in Dickens’ Old Curiosity Shop, embarking on a Dickensian adventure.

109. Robert Lovelace: The heartless hero in Richardson’s Clarissa Harlowe, proving that charm can be a dangerous weapon.

110. Tony Lumpkin: The mischievous young man in Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer, a troublemaker with a penchant for comedy.

111. Macbeth: Shakespeare’s tragic hero, succumbing to ambition and the supernatural.

112. Mad Hatter: The quirky character in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, making tea parties an eccentric affair.

113. Mrs. Malaprop: The lady notorious for word misuse in Sheridan’s The Rivals, proving that language can be a hilarious playground.

114. Malvolio: Olivia’s steward in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, adding a touch of comedy to the festive chaos.

115. Markheim: The hero in Stevenson’s psychological story, navigating the complexities of morality.

116. Silas Marner: The hero in George Eliot’s novel, proving that redemption is always possible.

117. Mephistopheles: The devil’s right-hand man in Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus, adding a diabolical twist to the tale.

118. Merlin: The legendary magician in the Arthurian legends, weaving spells and enchantments in the realm of King Arthur.

119. Mr. Wilkins Micawber: Dickens’ humorous character in David Copperfield, perpetually optimistic and waiting for something fortuitous to happen.

120. Miranda: The charming daughter of Prospero in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, adding a touch of innocence and wonder to the magical island.

121. Mowgli: The spirited little boy in Kipling’s Jungle Books, raised by wolves and navigating the wild with untamed curiosity.

122. Nicholas Nickleby: The titular character in Dickens’ novel, facing challenges with resilience and a dash of Dickensian charm.
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