Character guide

Augustine Montoria

major

Also known as Augustine, Montoria, Captain Augustine Montoria, de Montoria

Augustine is the son of Don José de Montoria, a leading citizen of Saragossa, and is destined by his parents for a bishop's mitre. His secret love for Mariquilla Candiola, daughter of his father's bitter enemy, splits him between filial duty and desire, and the siege's daily carnage only sharpens the torment. His anguish drives him toward the walls and the fighting, making his private crisis inseparable from the city's fate.

Mariquilla Candiola

major

Also known as Mariquilla, Señorita Doña Mariquilla Candiola, the Candiola

Mariquilla lives under the jealous guard of her father, Don Jerónimo, who treats her as another piece of hoarded property. She loves Augustine Montoria in secret, meeting him by night in the garden while her father prowls with a lantern, and she endures public humiliation when a mob turns on Candiola. Her courage and constancy pull Augustine away from his family's plans and toward the city's danger.

Don José de Montoria

supporting

Also known as Don José Montoria, Don José, Señor de Montoria, the great Montoria

Don José de Montoria is one of the influential men whose courage and contempt for the French rouse the spirits of everyone who sees them. He is a man of rough practical remedies — rubbing, spirits, no broth — and of unbending expectations for his son Augustine, whom he chides for coming through battle unmarked. His pride and his ancient grudge against Candiola set the terms of the lovers' impossible position.

Candiola

supporting

Also known as goodman Candiola, the Señor Candiola, old Candiola, the miser Candiola

Candiola is a bent, greenish-eyed old man whose very face inspires antipathy, a usurer who keeps his daughter as closely as his cash and nurses an old resentment against Don José de Montoria for freeing his debtors. He prowls his house and garden by night with a lantern, suspicious of everything and everyone. His greed and spite turn Mariquilla's love affair into a crime, and his dealings shadow the city's siege with private malice.

Don Roque

minor

Also known as Señor Don Roque

A minor nobleman and friend of the Montoria family, appears in social scenes.

Juan Pirli

minor

Also known as Pirli, the great Pirli, friend Pirli

A colorful, boastful character who provides comic relief and local color.

Palafox

supporting

Palafox is the illustrious commander whose prestige rests on noble birth, personal bravery, and a refusal of scandalous favors that endeared him to the people. He appears wherever danger is greatest, encouraging the weak and rewarding the brave, while real direction falls to counsellors like Father Basilio and generals O'Neill, Saint March, and Butron. To the Saragossans he is the patriotic ideal made flesh, and his presence at the front turns wavering men back into the fire.

Don Jerónimo de Candiola

supporting

Also known as Señor Don Jerónimo, Don Jerónimo

Don Jerónimo de Candiola is old, bent, and sickly, with a hooked nose, greenish eyes, and a face furrowed like ruled paper, a man so repellent that he has not a single friend. He guards his daughter Mariquilla as jealously as his cellar of hard cash and hates Don José de Montoria for having freed his debtors. His suspicions and his spite make Augustine's love a secret worth dying over, and his presence darkens every scene he enters.

Manuela Sancho

minor

Also known as Manuela, Viva Manuela Sancho

A heroic woman of Saragossa, celebrated for her bravery during the siege.

Gabriel

minor

A young man who appears in the narrative, possibly a soldier or acquaintance.

Don Araceli

minor

Also known as Señor Don Araceli, Señor Araceli, Señor de Araceli, Araceli, friend Araceli

A friend or associate of the protagonist, possibly a fellow officer.

Doña Leocadia Sarriera

minor

Also known as Doña Leocadia, Leocadia

A woman of Saragossa, possibly a relative or acquaintance of the main characters.

Basilio Boggiero

minor

Also known as Father Boggiero, Father Basilio, Father Basilio Boggiero

A priest who plays a role in the religious and moral life of the city.

Doña Guedita

minor

Also known as Guedita, The Doña Guedita, good Guedita, Señora Guedita

A woman of the city, possibly a neighbor or family friend.

Father Luengo

minor

Also known as Luengo, Father

A priest who appears in the narrative, possibly during the siege.

Father Mateo del Busto

minor

Also known as Father Busto, Busto, Father Mateo

A clergyman mentioned in the story, possibly in a religious ceremony.

Tío Garcés

minor

Also known as Truly Tío Garcés

An older man, possibly a servant or local character.

Renovales

minor

Also known as Don Mariano Renovales

A military officer involved in the defense of the city.

Porra

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or soldier.

Don Pedro Villacampa

minor

Also known as Villacampa

A military figure mentioned in the narrative.

Don Santiago Sas

minor

Also known as Santiago Sas, Sas

A warrior or officer mentioned among the defenders.

General Saint March

minor

Also known as Saint March

A French general mentioned in the narrative.

Manuel Montoria

minor

Also known as Manuel

A member of the Montoria family, possibly Augustine's brother or cousin.

Father Rincón

minor

Also known as Rincón

A priest who appears in the narrative.

Don Antonio Quadros

minor

Also known as Don Antonio

A minor nobleman or official in Saragossa.

Don Mariano Cereso

minor

A resident of Saragossa, possibly a friend of the Montorias.

Vicente Codé

minor

Also known as Codé

A minor character, possibly a soldier or local.

Coridon

minor

Also known as poor Coridon

A literary or pastoral reference, possibly a character in a story within the book.

Marshal Lannes

minor

Also known as Lannes

French general leading the siege; a historical figure in the conflict.

Countess de Bureta

minor

Also known as the Countess de Bureta

A noblewoman of Saragossa, possibly involved in the defense efforts.

General Butron

minor

Also known as Butron

A military officer in the Spanish forces.

Manuelilla

minor

A diminutive form, possibly a child or servant character.

Montorilla

minor

A diminutive or affectionate form of Montoria, possibly a young member.

Antonio Laste

minor

A minor character, possibly a soldier or citizen.