Scaramouche · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini.
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André-Louis Moreau
major
Also known as Louis, André, M. André, André-Louis, Louis Moreau, M. Moreau
André-Louis Moreau drifts from provincial law courts to a ragged travelling theatre, where his improvisations as Scaramouche make the troupe's fortune and his own name. Beneath the icy cynicism he shows Leandre lies a smoldering thirst for vengeance against the Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr and the informer Binet. His refusal to play the grieving lover, his habit of turning every sincerity into a performance, makes him both magnetic and unreachable as the Revolution gathers around him.
M. Binet
major
Also known as Binet, Scaramouche, Florimond Binet, the great mime Florimond Binet
Binet has spent a lifetime on the road, playing Pantaloon and counting every sou, and he sees in André-Louis a chance to escape hedges and empty bellies forever. His oily gratitude curdles as the company begins to credit Scaramouche, not Binet, for its success, and the malevolence that only slumbers in him stirs. His resentment of the partner who fills his purse while emptying him of command quietly poisons the troupe's triumph.
Aline de Kercadiou
major
Also known as Aline, Cousin Aline, Mademoiselle de Kercadiou, Mlle. de Kercadiou
Aline de Kercadiou moves between the drawing rooms of the old nobility and the dangerous pull of her cousin's world, bound by family loyalty yet unwilling to see André-Louis as merely a scoundrel. She alone names his blindness, teasing that she has never known him to lack presumption, and the moment of their clasped hands before her father suggests what both have long refused to admit. Her presence raises the stakes of every quarrel between André-Louis and the men of her class.
Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr
major
Also known as the Marquis, M. de La Tour d'Azyr, La Tour d'Azyr, M. le Marquis
M. de La Tour d'Azyr moves through the salons with the assurance of a man who has never been answered, disposing of hotheads like Lagron with his skill and calling it order. His composure cracks when André-Louis names him assassin to his face, and for once he descends to argument with a canaille, losing dignity in the attempt. His revived passion for Aline is the purest feeling of his life, and it makes his coming duel with her cousin a matter of pride, love, and blood at once.
M. de Kercadiou
supporting
Also known as de Kercadiou, Kercadiou, Quintin de Kercadiou, Uncle Quintin
Quintin de Kercadiou presides over Gavrillac with the ease of a nobleman who believes his class owes everything and should be owed everything in return, and he writes his godson a letter of wounded indignation. Yet the fundamental kindliness beneath his temper surfaces the instant La Tour d'Azyr calmly predicts the young man's death, and his affection for André-Louis overwhelms his outrage. His torn loyalties between class and kin make him a barometer of the world the Revolution is about to break.
Philippe de Vilmorin
supporting
Also known as Philippe, Vilmorin, de Vilmorin, poor Philippe
Philippe de Vilmorin belongs to the earnest, idealistic youth of the old order, a friend whose warmth and conviction André-Louis remembers as the last thing before his world turns cold. His fate at the hands of the Marquis and Binet transforms private grief into public grievance, and the memory of "poor Philippe" shadows every performance Scaramouche gives. Without him there is no duel, no flight into the theatre, no revolutionary mask.
Le Chapelier
supporting
Also known as Chapelier, M. Le Chapelier, President Le Chapelier
A revolutionary orator whose gift for turning Beaumarchais into insurrection makes him the voice of the coming storm — and André-Louis's trusted ally.
Climène
supporting
Also known as the unfortunate Climène
Binet's hazel-eyed leading lady, queen of the provincial stage, who dreams of Paris and shares the curtain calls with Scaramouche himself.
Leandre
supporting
Also known as M. Leandre, poor Leandre
The troupe's beautiful but languid juvenile lead, forever sighing after Climène and forever falling short of the passion he plays.
Mme. la Comtesse de Plougastel
supporting
Also known as Mme. de Plougastel, de Plougastel, Plougastel
A noblewoman whose kindness to André-Louis carries an unexplained weight of obligation, and whose past holds secrets she guards closely.
M. de Chabrillane
supporting
Also known as de Chabrillane, Chabrillane, the watchful Chabrillane
A dangerous swordsman of the old aristocracy, numbered among the spadassinicides whose reputations André-Louis has already begun to bury.
Danton
supporting
Also known as M. Danton
A thunderous voice of the Revolution, coarse, charismatic, and unafraid — the kind of man who sets a crowd by the ears and knows it.
Pantaloon
minor
Also known as M. Pantaloon, Poor old Pantaloon
An elderly actor in Binet's troupe, often playing the foolish father.
Polichinelle
minor
A hunchbacked puppet and comic character in Binet's theatre.
Rougane
minor
Also known as young Rougane, Young Rougane
A young Breton nobleman and friend of André-Louis.
Kersain
minor
A Breton nobleman and acquaintance of André-Louis.
M. de Lesdiguières
minor
Also known as M. Lesdiguières
An elderly nobleman and fencing master who trains André-Louis.
Bertrand des Amis
minor
Also known as M. Bertrand des Amis, M. des Amis, des Amis
A fencing master and friend who aids André-Louis in Paris.
Lagron
minor
Also known as poor Lagron, Emmanuel Lagron, deputy Lagron
A deputy in the National Assembly, a colleague of Le Chapelier.
M. Necker
minor
Also known as Necker, the wonderful M. Necker
The French finance minister, a historical figure mentioned in the narrative.
Harlequin
minor
A comic servant character in the commedia dell'arte troupe.
Columbine
minor
Also known as the returning Columbine
A clever maidservant character in the commedia dell'arte troupe.
Mabey
minor
A servant or minor functionary in the story.
Madame la Comtesse de Sautron
minor
Also known as Madame de Sautron, Mme. de Sautron
Wife of M. de Sautron, a noblewoman in aristocratic circles.
Bénoît
minor
A servant at the Kercadiou estate, loyal to André-Louis.
Robespierre
minor
Also known as de Robespierre
A revolutionary leader, mentioned in political contexts.
Fresnel
minor
A lawyer and colleague of André-Louis in Rennes.
Jean-Jacques
minor
Also known as Jacques, the diligent Jacques
A servant or attendant in the Kercadiou household.
M. de Vilmorin
minor
Also known as de Vilmorin
Father of Philippe de Vilmorin, a grieving aristocrat.
Mademoiselle Binet
minor
Also known as Mlle Binet, Mlle. Binet
Daughter of M. Binet, a young woman in the theatre troupe.
Rhodomont
minor
Also known as the gentle Rhodomont, the cowardly Rhodomont
A braggart actor in Binet's troupe, often playing the swaggering soldier.
M. de Plougastel
minor
Husband of Madame de Plougastel, a nobleman with political ties.
Gervais
minor
A servant in the Kercadiou household.
Isaac
minor
A Jewish moneylender or merchant encountered by André-Louis.
M. de Sautron
minor
Also known as de Sautron, M. le Comte de Sautron, Sautron
A nobleman and associate of the Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr.
Pierrot
minor
A sad clown character in the commedia dell'arte troupe.
Parvissimus
minor
Also known as M. Parvissimus
A pompous actor in Binet's troupe, often playing the doctor.
La Binet
minor
Wife of M. Binet, a member of the theatre troupe.
Étienne de Kercadiou
minor
Also known as Étienne de Gavrillac
A relative of the Kercadiou family, possibly André-Louis's father.
Pasquariel
minor
An actor in Binet's troupe, playing a comic servant.
Cordemais
minor
Also known as rascal Cordemais, M. Cordemais
A lawyer and colleague of André-Louis in Rennes.
Mirabeau
minor
Also known as Count Mirabeau
A famous revolutionary orator and statesman, briefly mentioned.
Seigneur de Gavrillac
minor
Also known as the Seigneur de Gavrillac, Gavrillac
The lord of the Gavrillac estate, a background nobleman.
Rédon
minor
A town or location in Brittany, possibly a character's name.
Guichen
minor
A naval commander or nobleman mentioned in passing.
Besenval
minor
A Swiss commander of royal troops, mentioned in historical context.
Danet
minor
A lawyer or official involved in the legal proceedings.
Maury
minor
Also known as The Abbé Maury
A conservative clergyman and orator in the National Assembly.
Bailly
minor
Also known as Mayor Bailly
The mayor of Paris during the Revolution, a historical figure.
Camille Desmoulins
minor
Also known as Desmoulins
A revolutionary journalist and orator, briefly mentioned.
Prince de Lambesc
minor
Also known as Lambesc, Prince Lambesc
A royalist commander who led cavalry against the crowd.
Ancenis
minor
A town or noble family name mentioned in the narrative.
de La Motte-Royau
minor
Also known as La Motte-Royau
A nobleman and associate of Chabrillane.
Old Rabouillet
minor
Also known as Rabouillet
An elderly servant or retainer in the Kercadiou household.
Chevalier de Chabrillane
minor
Also known as Le Chevalier de Chabrillane
A younger relative of M. de Chabrillane, a minor aristocrat.
M. de la Roche Jeannine
minor
Also known as M. de Jeannine
A nobleman mentioned in social contexts.
Marat
minor
Also known as Jean-Paul Mara
A radical revolutionary journalist, mentioned in political discussions.
Lafayette
minor
Also known as M. le Comte de Lafayette
A French general and revolutionary leader, briefly mentioned.
Vergniaud
minor
A Girondin leader and orator, mentioned in political context.
Brissot
minor
A Girondin leader and journalist, mentioned in political context.