List of Shakespearean characters (A–K)

This entry provides an alphabetical listing of notable characters from the plays of William Shakespeare, covering those whose last names, titles, or given names (in cases where surnames are not explicitly provided) begin with the letters A through K. It includes a brief character identification, the play in which the character appears, and occasionally a notable aspect of the character.

• Aaron: A Moor, and the villain of Titus Andronicus. A complex and unapologetically evil figure.

• Abhorson: An executioner in Measure for Measure.

• Abraham: A servant to the Montague family in Romeo and Juliet.

• Achilles: A Greek hero in Troilus and Cressida. Portrayed as proud and temperamental.

• Adam: An old and loyal servant to Orlando in As You Like It.

• Adrian: A lord attending on Alonso in The Tempest.

• Adriana: Wife to Antipholus of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors.

• Aeneas: A Trojan leader in Troilus and Cressida.

• Agamemnon: Commander of the Greek forces in Troilus and Cressida.

• Agrippa: A follower of Caesar in Antony and Cleopatra.

• Ajax: A Greek warrior in Troilus and Cressida. Known for his strength and arrogance.

• Alarbus: The eldest son of Tamora, Queen of the Goths, in Titus Andronicus. He is sacrificed by the Andronicus family.

• Albany, Duke of: Goneril's husband in King Lear. Initially weak, he becomes a force for good.

• Alcibiades: An Athenian captain and friend to Timon in Timon of Athens.

• Alonso: King of Naples in The Tempest.

• Amiens: A lord attending the exiled Duke Senior in As You Like It.

• Andromache: Hector's wife in Troilus and Cressida.

• Angelo: The Deputy to the Duke in Measure for Measure. A man of strict morality who falls prey to temptation.

• Angus: A Scottish nobleman and Thane in Macbeth.

• Antigonus: Husband of Paulina and a lord of Sicilia in The Winter's Tale.

• Antiochus: The deceased King of Antioch in Pericles, Prince of Tyre.

• Antiochus' Daughter: The daughter of Antiochus in Pericles, Prince of Tyre. Involved in an incestuous relationship with her father.

• Antonia: Sister to Sebastian in Twelfth Night. Disguises herself as Cesario.

• Antonio (The Merchant of Venice): A merchant of Venice in The Merchant of Venice. The title character and friend to Bassanio.

• Antonio (The Tempest): Prospero's brother in The Tempest. Usurped Prospero's dukedom.

• Antonio (Two Gentlemen of Verona): Father of Proteus in Two Gentlemen of Verona.

• Antony, Mark: A Roman general and triumvir in Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra.

• Apemantus: A churlish philosopher in Timon of Athens.

• Apothecary: Sells poison to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet.

• Archibald, Earl of Douglas: A rebel Scottish Earl in Henry IV, Part 1.

• Arden, Master: The murdered husband of Alice Arden in Arden of Faversham (apocryphal).

• Ariel: An airy spirit, servant to Prospero in The Tempest.

• Armado, Don Adriano de: A fantastical Spaniard in Love's Labour's Lost.

• Arthur: Nephew to King John in King John. A young claimant to the throne of England.

• Arthur, Prince of Wales: Son of Henry VII in Richard III.

• Aubrey, Earl of Oxford: A supporter of Henry VI in Henry VI, Part 3.

• Audrey: A country wench in As You Like It. Marries Touchstone.

• Aufidius, Caius Marcius: A Volscian general and enemy of Coriolanus in Coriolanus.

• Aumerle, Duke of: Edward's son and Duke of Aumerle in Richard II.

• Autolycus: A rogue and peddler in The Winter's Tale.

• Bagot: A supporter of King Richard in Richard II.

• Balthasar (Romeo and Juliet): Romeo's servant in Romeo and Juliet.

• Balthasar (The Merchant of Venice): A servant to Portia in The Merchant of Venice.

• Balthazar (Much Ado About Nothing): Attendant to Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing.

• Banquo: A general in Macbeth's army in Macbeth. His ghost haunts Macbeth.

• Bardolph: A follower of Falstaff in the Henry IV and Henry V plays.

• Bassianus: Brother to Lavinia in Titus Andronicus. Murdered by Tamora's sons.

• Bassanio: A suitor to Portia in The Merchant of Venice.

• Bastard, Philip the: Illegitimate son of Richard Coeur de Lion in King John. Later known as Sir Richard Plantagenet.

• Bates: A soldier in Henry V's army in Henry V.

• Beatrice: Niece to Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing. Known for her wit.

• Belarius: A banished lord in Cymbeline.

• Benedick: A lord attending on Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing. Known for his wit and eventual romance with Beatrice.

• Benvolio: Nephew to Montague and cousin to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet.

• Berkeley: Attendant on Henry VI in Henry VI, Part 2.

• Bernardo: A soldier in Hamlet.

• Bertram, Count of Rossillion: A young count in All's Well That Ends Well. Husband of Helena.

• Bianca (Othello): Cassio's mistress in Othello.

• Bianca (Taming of the Shrew): Younger daughter of Baptista Minola in The Taming of the Shrew.

• Bigot: A supporter of King John in King John.

• Biondello: A servant to Lucentio in The Taming of the Shrew.

• Blunt, Sir Walter: A loyal friend to King Henry IV in Henry IV, Part 1.

• Bolingbroke, Henry: See Henry IV.

• Bolingbroke, Margery Jourdain: A witch in Henry VI, Part 2.

• Bona: Sister to the French Queen in Henry VI, Part 3. Courted by both Edward IV and King Louis.

• Borachio: A follower of Don John in Much Ado About Nothing.

• Bottom, Nick: A weaver in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Transformed into an ass.

• Boult: A pimp in Pericles, Prince of Tyre.

• Boyet: A lord attending on the Princess of France in Love's Labour's Lost.

• Brandon: An officer in Henry VIII.

• Brabantio: Father of Desdemona in Othello.

• Brutus, Marcus: A Roman senator and conspirator against Caesar in Julius Caesar.

• Buckingham, Duke of (Edward Stafford): A nobleman executed in Henry VIII.

• Buckingham, Duke of (Henry Stafford): A supporter of Richard III in Richard III.

• Burgundy, Duke of: A suitor to Cordelia in King Lear.

• Caesar, Julius: Roman general and statesman in Julius Caesar.

• Caesar, Octavius: A Roman triumvir in Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra. Later Emperor Augustus.

• Caius, Doctor: A French physician in The Merry Wives of Windsor.

• Caliban: A savage and deformed slave of Prospero in The Tempest.

• Calphurnia: Caesar's wife in Julius Caesar.

• Camillo: An honest lord in The Winter's Tale.

• Canidius: A lieutenant-general to Antony in Antony and Cleopatra.

• Canterbury, Archbishop of: Advises King Henry V in Henry V.

• Capucius: An ambassador from Charles V in Henry VIII.

• Capulet: Head of the Capulet family in Romeo and Juliet.

• Capulet, Lady: Wife to Capulet in Romeo and Juliet.

• Capulet, Juliet: Daughter of Capulet in Romeo and Juliet. The play's tragic heroine.

• Cardinal, Lord (Wolsey): See Wolsey.

• Casca: A conspirator against Caesar in Julius Caesar.

• Cassandra: Daughter of Priam, King of Troy in Troilus and Cressida. A prophetess.

• Cassio, Michael: Othello's lieutenant in Othello.

• Cato: A supporter of Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar.

• Celia: Daughter of Duke Frederick in As You Like It. Cousin and friend to Rosalind.

• Cerimon: A physician in Pericles, Prince of Tyre.

• Charles: Wrestler to Duke Frederick in As You Like It.

• Charles VI, King of France: Appears in Henry V.

• Charmian: A handmaid to Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra.

• Chatillon: A French ambassador in King John.

• Chiron: Son of Tamora in Titus Andronicus.

• Cicero: A Roman senator in Julius Caesar.

• Clarence, Duke of: Brother to King Edward IV and Richard III in Richard III.

• Claudio (Measure for Measure): A young gentleman in Measure for Measure condemned to death.

• Claudio (Much Ado About Nothing): A young lord in Much Ado About Nothing.

• Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt in Antony and Cleopatra.

• Cloten: Step-son to Cymbeline in Cymbeline.

• Clown (All's Well that Ends Well): Servant of Countess Rossillion in All's Well That Ends Well.

• Clown (Othello): Servant to Othello in Othello.

• Cobweb: A fairy in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

• Colville: A rebel in Henry IV, Part 2.

• Cominius: A Roman general in Coriolanus.

• Conrade: A follower of Don John in Much Ado About Nothing.

• Constable of France: A French commander in Henry V.

• Cordelia: Daughter of King Lear in King Lear. Represents goodness and loyalty.

• Cornelius: A physician in Hamlet.

• Cornwall, Duke of: Regan's husband in King Lear.

• Coriolanus, Caius Marcius: A Roman general in Coriolanus.

• Costard: A clown in Love's Labour's Lost.

• Countess (All's Well that Ends Well): Mother to Bertram in All's Well That Ends Well.

• Courtezan: A prostitute in The Comedy of Errors.

• Cressida: Daughter of Calchas in Troilus and Cressida. Troilus's lover.

• Cromwell, Thomas: Secretary to Cardinal Wolsey in Henry VIII.

• Curio: Attendant to Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night.

• Curtis: A servant to Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew.

• Cymbeline: King of Britain in Cymbeline.

• Danby, Archbishop of York: Plots against Henry IV in Henry IV, Part 2.

• Dardanius: Servant to Brutus in Julius Caesar.

• Decius Brutus: A conspirator against Caesar in Julius Caesar.

• Deiphobus: Son of Priam in Troilus and Cressida.

• Demetrius (A Midsummer Night's Dream): A suitor to Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

• Demetrius (Titus Andronicus): Son of Tamora in Titus Andronicus.

• Denny, Sir Anthony: Attendant on King Henry VIII in Henry VIII.

• Desdemona: Wife of Othello in Othello.

• Diana: A virgin, admired by Bertram, in All's Well That Ends Well.

• Dionyza: Wife to Cleon in Pericles, Prince of Tyre. A wicked woman.

• Dogberry: A constable in Much Ado About Nothing. A malaprop-prone comedic figure.

• Dolabella: A friend of Caesar and later of Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra.

• Domitius Enobarbus: See Enobarbus.

• Don John: The illegitimate brother of Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing. The play's villain.

• Don Pedro: Prince of Aragon in Much Ado About Nothing.

• Donalbain: Son of Duncan in Macbeth.

• Doctor: A physician attending on the King in King Lear.

• Dromio of Ephesus: Twin brother to Dromio of Syracuse, and servant to Antipholus of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors.

• Dromio of Syracuse: Twin brother to Dromio of Ephesus, and servant to Antipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors.

• Duchess of Gloucester: Mother to Edward V and Richard, Duke of York, in Richard III.

• Duchess of York (Cecily): Mother to Edward IV, Clarence, and Richard III in Richard III.

• Duke (As You Like It): See Senior, Duke.

• Duke (Measure for Measure): See Vincentio.

• Duke Frederick: Brother to Duke Senior in As You Like It. A usurping duke.

• Duke of Albany: See Albany, Duke of.

• Duke of Austria: Opponent of Richard Coeur de Lion in King John.

• Duke of Buckingham: See Buckingham, Duke of.

• Duke of Burgundy: See Burgundy, Duke of.

• Duke of Clarence: See Clarence, Duke of.

• Duke of Cornwall: See Cornwall, Duke of.

• Duke of Exeter: See Exeter, Duke of.

• Duke of Florence: See Florence, Duke of.

• Duke of Gloucester: See Gloucester, Duke of.

• Duke of Milan: See Milan, Duke of.

• Duke of Norfolk: See Norfolk, Duke of.

• Duke of Suffolk: See Suffolk, Duke of.

• Duke of Venice: A magistrate in The Merchant of Venice and Othello.

• Dumaine: A lord attending the King of Navarre in Love's Labour's Lost.

• Duncan: King of Scotland in Macbeth.

• Earl of Douglas: See Archibald, Earl of Douglas.

• Earl of Northumberland: See Northumberland, Earl of.

• Earl of Oxford: See Aubrey, Earl of Oxford.

• Edward IV: King of England in the Henry VI plays and Richard III.

• Edward, Prince of Wales: Son of King Henry VI in Henry VI, Parts 2 and 3.

• Egeus: Father of Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

• Eglamour: Agent of Silvia in Two Gentlemen of Verona.

• Elbow: A constable in Measure for Measure.

• Eleanor: Widow of King Henry II and mother to King John in King John.

• Ely, Bishop of: Advises King Henry V in Henry V.

• Emilia (Othello): Wife of Iago in Othello. Handmaid to Desdemona.

• Emilia (The Two Noble Kinsmen): Sister to Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, in The Two Noble Kinsmen.

• Enobarbus, Domitius: A friend of Antony in Antony and Cleopatra.

• Eros: A follower of Antony in Antony and Cleopatra.

• Escalus (Measure for Measure): An old lord, deputy to the Duke, in Measure for Measure.

• Escalus (Romeo and Juliet): Prince of Verona in Romeo and Juliet.

• Euphronius: An ambassador from Antony to Caesar in Antony and Cleopatra.

• Exeter, Duke of: Uncle to King Henry V in Henry V and Henry VI, Part 1.

• Fabian: A servant in Olivia's household in Twelfth Night.

• Fairies: Various fairies, including Titania, Oberon, Puck, Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed, in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

• Falstaff, Sir John: A comedic knight in the Henry IV and The Merry Wives of Windsor plays.

• Fang: A sheriff's officer in Henry IV, Part 2.

• Ferdinand: Son of the King of Naples in The Tempest.

• ফিfife, Thane of: See Macduff.

• Fenton: A suitor to Anne Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor.

• ফিfife, Thane of: See Macduff.

• Flaminius: A servant to Timon in Timon of Athens.

• Flavius (Julius Caesar): A tribune in Julius Caesar.

• Flavius (Timon of Athens): Steward to Timon in Timon of Athens.

• Florence, Duke of: Invaded by Bertram in All's Well That Ends Well.

• Florizel: Son of King Polixenes in The Winter's Tale.

• Fluellen: A Welsh captain in Henry V's army in Henry V.

• Ford: A jealous husband in The Merry Wives of Windsor.

• Ford, Mistress: Wife of Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor.

• Fortinbras: Prince of Norway in Hamlet.

• फ्रांसFrance, King of: Appears in All's Well That Ends Well.

• फ्रांसFrance, Princess of: Appears in Love's Labour's Lost.

• फ्रांसFrench King: Father of Princess Katherine in Henry V.

• Francisco (Hamlet): A soldier in Hamlet.

• Francisco (The Tempest): A lord attending on Alonso in The Tempest.

• Frederick, Duke: See Duke Frederick.

• Froth: A foolish gentleman in Measure for Measure.

• Gadshill: A highwayman in Henry IV, Part 1.

• Gallus: An agent of Caesar in Antony and Cleopatra.

• Gammer Gurton: A character mentioned in Arden of Faversham (apocryphal).

• Gardener: An allegorical figure in Richard II.

• Gargrave: An officer in Henry VI, Part 1.

• Garter: An officer in Henry VI, Part 1.

• Gaunt, John of: See John of Gaunt.

• जनरलGeneral (Cymbeline): Serves in the Roman army in Cymbeline.

• Gentlewoman (Macbeth): Attends Lady Macbeth in Macbeth.

• Gertrude: Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother, in Hamlet.

• Ghost of Hamlet's Father: Appears in Hamlet.

• Goneril: Eldest daughter of King Lear in King Lear. Wicked and power-hungry.

• Gonzalo: An honest counselor to Alonso in The Tempest.

• Grandpré: A French lord in Henry V.

• Gratiano (Othello): Brother to Brabantio in Othello.

• Gratiano (The Merchant of Venice): A friend of Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice.

• Gravedigger: A clownish character in Hamlet.

• Gregory: A servant to the Capulet family in Romeo and Juliet.

• Grey, Lady: See Elizabeth Woodville.

• Griffith: A gentleman attendant to Queen Katherine in Henry VIII.

• Grumio: A servant to Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew.

• Guiderius: Son of Cymbeline, raised in the wilderness in Cymbeline.

• Guildenstern: A childhood friend of Hamlet in Hamlet.

• Gurney: A servant of Lady Faulconbridge in King John.

• Hecate: Queen of the witches in Macbeth.

• Hector: A Trojan prince in Troilus and Cressida. A noble warrior.

• Helen: Attendant to Princess Katherine in Henry V.

• Helena (All's Well that Ends Well): A gentlewoman, in love with Bertram, in All's Well that Ends Well.

• Helena (A Midsummer Night's Dream): In love with Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

• Helenus: A Trojan prince in Troilus and Cressida.

• Henry IV (Bolingbroke): King of England in the Henry IV plays. Previously known as Henry Bolingbroke.

• Henry V: King of England in Henry IV, Part 2 and Henry V. Previously Prince Hal.

• Henry VI: King of England in the Henry VI plays.

• Henry VIII: King of England in Henry VIII.

• Henry, Earl of Richmond: See Richmond, Earl of.

• Hermia: In love with Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

• Hermione: Wife of King Leontes in The Winter's Tale.

• Hero: Daughter of Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing.

• Hippolyta (A Midsummer Night's Dream): Queen of the Amazons, betrothed to Theseus in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

• Hippolyta (The Two Noble Kinsmen): Queen of the Amazons and sister to Emilia in The Two Noble Kinsmen.

• Holofernes: A schoolmaster in Love's Labour's Lost.

• Horatio: A friend to Hamlet in Hamlet.

• Hortensio: A suitor to Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew.

• Host (Merry Wives): Host of the Garter Inn in The Merry Wives of Windsor.

• Hostess (Henry IV): Mistress Quickly, hostess of the Boar's Head Tavern in Henry IV plays.

• Hubert de Burgh: A follower of King John in King John.

• Hume: A priest in Henry VI, Part 2.

• Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester: Lord Protector of England in the Henry VI plays.

• Iachimo: An Italian gentleman in Cymbeline.

• Iago: Othello's ensign in Othello. A deceitful and manipulative villain.

• Imogen: Daughter of Cymbeline in Cymbeline.

• Iris: A spirit in The Tempest.

• Isabel, Queen of France: Wife to King Charles VI in Henry V.

• Isabella: Sister to Claudio in Measure for Measure. A novice nun known for her virtue.

• Jack Cade: A rebel leader in Henry VI, Part 2.

• Jaquenetta: A country wench in Love's Labour's Lost.

• Jaques: A melancholic lord attending Duke Senior in As You Like It.

• Jessica: Daughter of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice.

• Jeweller: Appears briefly in Timon of Athens.

• Joan la Pucelle: See Joan of Arc.

• Joan of Arc: A French military leader in Henry VI, Part 1. Also known as Joan la Pucelle.

• John, King: King of England in King John.

• John of Gaunt: Duke of Lancaster and uncle to King Richard II in Richard II.

• John of Lancaster: A son of Henry IV in Henry IV plays. Later Duke of Bedford.

• Jourdain, Margery: See Bolingbroke, Margery Jourdain.

• Julia: In love with Proteus in Two Gentlemen of Verona.

• Juliet: See Capulet, Juliet.

• Julius Caesar: See Caesar, Julius.

• Juno: A spirit in The Tempest.

• Katherine (Henry V): Daughter of the King of France in Henry V.

• Katherine (Taming of the Shrew): Elder daughter of Baptista Minola in The Taming of the Shrew. Also known as Kate. A shrewish woman tamed by Petruchio.

• Katherine of Aragon: Queen of England, wife to Henry VIII in Henry VIII.

• Kent, Earl of: A loyal follower of King Lear in King Lear. Disguises himself as Caius.