The Pirates of Penzance characters

Appears from the start

A young man completing an apprenticeship to a band of pirates. Personally gentle but governed by an absolute sense of duty, he intends to leave the band on his twenty-first birthday and then help bring its members to justice.

Also known as The Pirate King

Appears from the start

The theatrical leader of the Pirates of Penzance. He takes pride in his profession and his band considers itself comparatively honorable, but a declared tenderness toward orphans repeatedly undermines its attempts at piracy.

Appears from the start

Frederic's former nursemaid, whose poor hearing caused her to apprentice him to a pirate instead of a ship's pilot. She has remained with the band and hopes that, once Frederic is free, he may regard her as a possible wife.

Appears from the start

One of Major-General Stanley's daughters. She responds compassionately when Frederic appeals for someone to overlook his pirate upbringing and quickly commits herself to him.

Also known as Major-General Stanley

Appears from the start

The learned and verbally agile father of a large family of daughters. When pirates threaten them, he searches for an immediate weakness in his opponents rather than relying upon military force.

Appears from the start

The Pirate King's lieutenant, participating in the celebrations around Frederic's release and in the band's later efforts to exploit the unexpected terms of his apprenticeship.

Appears from the start

One of Major-General Stanley's older daughters, often speaking for or guiding her sisters when they encounter Frederic and the pirates on the coast.

Appears from the start

One of Major-General Stanley's daughters, present with her sisters when Frederic seeks a bride and when the pirates interrupt the family's outing.

Also known as Sergeant of Police

First appears in chapter 2

The officer leading a squad of reluctant policemen against the pirates. He recognizes the danger of the assignment but proceeds out of public duty.