# Gladiator — Character guide

> Key figures in Gladiator by Philip Wylie.

- [Hugo Danner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/hugo_danner.md): A boy born with impossible strength he never asked for, Hugo Danner must hide what he is in a world that would fear or exploit him.
- [Abednego Danner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/abednego_danner.md): A mild college biologist in Indian Creek, Abednego Danner bends chromosomes toward a private experiment that will remake his own household.
- [Mrs. Danner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/mrs_danner.md): Matilda Danner rules her Colorado hearth with black silk and rigid piety, until a son arrives who cannot be ruled at all.
- [Charlotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/charlotte.md): Charlotte enters Hugo's college years as someone who might love him, if he can ever let another person close enough to see.
- [Lefty Foresman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/lefty_foresman.md): Lefty Foresman is the easy, joking college friend whose ordinary life throws Hugo's strangeness into sharper relief.
- [Professor Mudge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/professor_mudge.md): A professor at the college Hugo attends, who takes an interest in him.
- [Thomas Mathew Shayne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/thomas_shayne.md): Tom Shayne is Hugo's classmate and comrade, a young man whose fate binds the two friends long after the trenches fall silent.
- [Anna Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/anna_blake.md): A young woman Hugo meets and becomes infatuated with.
- [Mr. Woodman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/mr_woodman.md): A professor at the college who challenges Hugo intellectually.
- [Mr. Melcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/mr_melcher.md): A wealthy businessman who employs Hugo for a time.
- [Mrs. Nolan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/mrs_nolan.md): Hugo's landlady during his time in New York.
- [Captain McClaren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/captain_mcclaren.md): A captain in the French Foreign Legion who recruits Hugo.
- [Battling Ole Swenson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/battling_ole_swenson.md): A formidable boxer Hugo fights in an exhibition match.
- [Dan Hardin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/dan_hardin.md): A professor and later a colleague of Hugo's father.
- [Izzie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/izzie.md): A friend of Hugo's from his childhood in the small town.
- [Jerry Painter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/jerry_painter.md): A fellow soldier and friend of Hugo's in the Foreign Legion.
- [Charlie Todd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/charlie_todd.md): A friend of Hugo's from his college football days.
- [Bessie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/bessie.md): A young woman from Hugo's hometown who he briefly courts.
- [Captain Crouan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/captain_crouan.md): An officer in the French Foreign Legion.
- [Mrs. Ralph Jordan Shayne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/mrs_shayne.md): Tom Shayne's mother, a supportive figure in his life.
- [Valentine Mitchel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/valentine_mitchel.md): A fellow soldier and friend of Hugo's in the Foreign Legion.
- [Samson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/samson.md): A biblical figure Hugo is compared to due to his strength.
- [Mr. H. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/mr_smith.md): A government agent who recruits Hugo for a secret mission.
- [Webster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/webster.md): A friend of Hugo's from his college days.
- [Mr. Cane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/mr_cane.md): Roseanne's father, a local businessman in Hugo's hometown.
- [Roseanne Cane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/roseanne_cane.md): A young woman from Hugo's hometown who he is fond of.
- [Aunt Emma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/aunt_emma.md): Hugo's aunt, who lives with the family for a time.
- [President Mills](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters/president_mills.md): The president of the college Hugo attends.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gladiator_se/characters