# Hudibras — Hudibras character guide > Hudibras in Hudibras by Samuel Butler. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Sir Hudibras, Knight, Sir Knight, The Knight, the Knight, Thither the Knight, The subtle Knight **First appearance:** 0003-part-i-canto-i ## Who they are A Presbyterian knight who rides out to reform the world by force and returns, repeatedly, as his own punchline. ## Relationships ### [Ralpho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters/ralpho) _rivalry_ Hudibras and his squire Ralpho frequently clash over religious and philosophical disagreements, with Ralpho often undermining Hudibras's authority. ### [Sidrophel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters/sidrophel) _rivalry_ Hudibras confronts the astrologer Sidrophel as an antagonist, accusing him of fraud and engaging in a violent quarrel. ### [Cerdon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters/cerdon) _rivalry_ Cerdon, a cunning and deceitful character, opposes Hudibras and contributes to his humiliations. ### [Adam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters/adam) _rivalry_ Adam, a bear-warden, becomes an enemy of Hudibras after the knight attacks his bear. ### [Talgol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters/talgol) _rivalry_ Talgol, a fierce butcher and fighter, physically confronts and defeats Hudibras in battle. ### [Orsin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters/orsin) _rivalry_ Orsin, a bear-warden, fights Hudibras after the knight attacks his bear, leading to a violent skirmish. ### [Whachum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters/whachum) _rivalry_ Whachum, Sidrophel's assistant, aids in the astrologer's schemes against Hudibras and participates in the conflict. ### [Crowdero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters/crowdero) _rivalry_ Crowdero, a fiddler and minor antagonist, is assaulted and imprisoned by Hudibras, sparking further conflict. ### [Magnano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters/magnano) _rivalry_ Magnano, a tinker and fighter, joins the mob that attacks and humiliates Hudibras. ### [Bruin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters/bruin) _rivalry_ Bruin, the bear attacked by Hudibras, is a direct victim of the knight's aggression, leading to retaliation from its keepers. ### [Trulla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters/trulla) _rivalry_ Trulla, a fierce Amazon-like woman, defeats Hudibras in combat and humiliates him. ### [Cupid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters/cupid) _psychological_ Cupid represents the romantic obsession and delusion that drives Hudibras's foolish pursuit of a widow. ## In the story ### [The Author's Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/the-author-s-life) The protagonist of the poem, which Butler composed while in the service of Sir Samuel Luke. ### [Hudibras Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/hudibras) The Presbyterian knight, pedantic and cowardly, who leads the expedition against the bear-baiting crowd and later falls in love with the widow. ### [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/part-i-canto-i) The Presbyterian knight, described as a pedantic, hypocritical, and physically grotesque figure who sallies forth on a colonelling adventure. ### [Canto II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/part-i-canto-ii) The Knight who sallies forth, defies the enemy, and captures Crowdero after a failed shot at Talgol. ### [Canto III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/part-i-canto-iii) The Knight, who believes he has won the field but is captured by the rallied rout; later he schemes to win the widow's heart. ### [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/part-ii-canto-i) Imprisoned and bruised, he debates love and marriage with the widow, using casuistry and wit to argue for a match based on her fortune. ### [Canto II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/part-ii-canto-ii) Rises from his couch, resolves to fulfill his vow, and engages in a fierce dispute with Ralpho over oath-breaking. ### [Canto III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/part-ii-canto-iii) The knight, ridden with doubt about his vow to the widow, consults Sidrophel and ultimately defeats him in combat. ### [An Heroical Epistle of Hudibras to Sidrophel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/part-ii-an-heroical-epistle-of-hudibras-to-sidrophel) Author of the epistle; delivers a satirical attack on Sidrophel's character and pretensions. ### [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/part-iii-canto-i) Resolves to woo the widow after his victory, sends Ralpho for constables, and engages in a debate with the widow about his exploits and their marriage contract. ### [Canto III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/part-iii-canto-iii) Flees the widow's masquerade in fear, mistakes Ralpho for a fiend, and later decides to pursue legal action against Sidrophel and the widow. ### [An Heroical Epistle of Hudibras to His Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/part-iii-an-heroical-epistle-of-hudibras-to-his-lady) Author of the epistle; defends his broken vow and pleads for the lady's forgiveness, citing noble privilege and the laws of love. ### [The Lady’s Answer to the Knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/part-iii-the-lady-s-answer-to-the-knight) The Knight is addressed by the Lady, who recalls his defeat by Trulla and his broken oaths. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters/hudibras - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudibras_se/characters