# Nicola — Arms and the Man character guide

> Nicola in Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Nicola Coming forward

**First appearance:** 0001-arms-and-the-man

## Snapshot

The Petkoffs' calculating manservant, engaged to Louka, who serves his masters with flawless efficiency while quietly counting every advantage it buys him.

## Who they are

Nicola moves through the Petkoff household as its most competent and least sentimental member, fetching the disputed coat from the blue closet and acting as valet while officers wager over his errand. His engagement to Louka sets up a quiet contest of ambition: he prizes respectability and steady advancement, she scorns his patient servility. Grounded and unsentimental, he anchors the play's upstairs-downstairs comedy and gives Shaw a working-class counterpoint to the romantic posturing around him.

## Relationships

### [Louka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/louka)

_romantic_

Formerly engaged, but Louka breaks off the relationship with the practical Nicola to pursue a more advantageous match with Sergius.

### [Raina Petkoff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/raina_petkoff)

_professional_

Nicola is the Petkoff family's loyal and shrewd manservant, serving Raina with respectful efficiency while managing household affairs.

### [Catherine Petkoff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/catherine_petkoff)

_professional_

Employer and servant; Catherine relies on Nicola's competence and discretion, though she maintains a superior attitude.

### [Captain Bluntschli](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/captain_bluntschli)

_professional_

A businesslike mutual respect between two practical men; Nicola assists Bluntschli with logistics and they share a no-nonsense understanding.

### [Sergius Saranoff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/sergius_saranoff)

_professional_

Servant and master; Nicola serves Sergius with careful deference while secretly aware of Sergius's affair with Louka.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/nicola
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters