Scaramouche characters

Appears from the start

A young Breton lawyer raised as the ward of the Seigneur de Kercadiou, with no certain knowledge of his parents. André-Louis is skeptical, verbally gifted, and initially indifferent to political ideals. The murder of his closest friend drives him to use wit, performance, and eventually the sword against aristocratic privilege.

Appears from the start

A young seminarian and André-Louis's dearest friend. Vilmorin is an earnest advocate for ordinary people at the opening of the French Revolution and believes that words and moral conviction can challenge inherited power.

Appears from the start

The irascible but affectionate Lord of Gavrillac, godfather and guardian to André-Louis and uncle to Aline. Kercadiou dislikes political agitation and expects personal loyalty to the old social order, yet his household is André's only family.

First appears in chapter 2

Kercadiou's young niece and ward, raised alongside André-Louis at Gavrillac. Intelligent and spirited, Aline understands André better than most people do, though his refusal to speak plainly about his feelings often frustrates her.

First appears in chapter 2

A wealthy Breton nobleman, accomplished swordsman, and defender of aristocratic privilege. When Vilmorin challenges the injustice surrounding a peasant's death, La Tour d'Azyr deliberately provokes the inexperienced young man into a duel.

First appears in chapter 9

A political organizer and spokesman for the Third Estate in Brittany. Le Chapelier recognizes André-Louis's ability to move a crowd and gives practical direction to the anger unleashed by Vilmorin's death.

First appears in chapter 13

The manager of a traveling troupe of improvisational players. Binet is practical, vain, protective of his authority, and inclined to measure strangers by how useful they may be to his company.

First appears in chapter 13

Binet's attractive daughter and the leading woman of his troupe. Climène has grown up within the conventions of the traveling stage and is ambitious for both theatrical success and social advancement.

First appears in chapter 13

An actor in Binet's company who performs the romantic lead. Léandre's place in the established stage pattern helps André-Louis understand both the troupe's stock characters and the opportunities for reshaping their comedy.

First appears in chapter 24

A Parisian fencing master whose disciplined teaching reveals a new use for André-Louis's analytical mind. Des Amis treats swordsmanship as a system that can be understood and improved, not merely as an aristocratic accomplishment.

First appears in chapter 28

A noblewoman and close friend of Aline who takes a strong personal interest in André-Louis during the revolutionary crisis. Her concern for his safety appears unusually intense, though she is cautious about explaining its source.

First appears in chapter 27

A fashionable noblewoman connected to Aline and Kercadiou. Madame de Sautron encourages the proposed match between Aline and La Tour d'Azyr, viewing the marquis's rank and fortune as decisive advantages.