# Miss Hardcastle — She Stoops to Conquer character guide

> Miss Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Kate, Kate Hardcastle, Hardcastle Kate

**First appearance:** 0004-act-i

## Snapshot

Kate Hardcastle, quick-witted and obedient on the surface, decides to test her bashful suitor by playing a barmaid and watching what he reveals.

## Who they are

Daughter of the old-fashioned Mr. Hardcastle, she is expected to marry the modest gentleman her father has chosen for her. Finding him tongue-tied in her true character, she adopts a barmaid's boldness to draw him out and expose the man beneath the manners. Her scheme turns a dull arranged match into the play's liveliest contest of wit.

## Relationships

### [Sir Charles Marlow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/she_stoops_to_conquer_se/characters/sir_charles_marlow)

_social_

Miss Hardcastle interacts frequently with Sir Charles Marlow as part of the social comedy, but their relationship is largely formal and driven by the plot's mistaken identities.

### [Mr. Marlow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/she_stoops_to_conquer_se/characters/mr_marlow)

_romantic_

Miss Hardcastle and Mr. Marlow are the central romantic pair, with her disguising herself as a barmaid to overcome his shyness and win his love.

### [Hastings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/she_stoops_to_conquer_se/characters/hastings)

_friendship_

Hastings and Miss Hardcastle are allies and friends, working together to facilitate the romantic schemes involving Marlow and Neville.

### [Tony Lumpkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/she_stoops_to_conquer_se/characters/tony_lumpkin)

_family_

Miss Hardcastle and Tony Lumpkin are step-siblings, with Tony often causing mischief that both hinders and helps her romantic plans.

### [Landlord](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/she_stoops_to_conquer_se/characters/landlord)

_professional_

The Landlord and Miss Hardcastle have a professional relationship, with the Landlord serving at the inn where she pretends to work.

### [Diggory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/she_stoops_to_conquer_se/characters/diggory)

_professional_

Diggory is a servant in the Hardcastle household, interacting with Miss Hardcastle in a professional capacity.

### [Mr. Hardcastle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/she_stoops_to_conquer_se/characters/mr_hardcastle)

_family_

Miss Hardcastle and Mr. Hardcastle are father and daughter, with a loving but sometimes teasing relationship as she navigates her romance.

### [Mrs. Hardcastle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/she_stoops_to_conquer_se/characters/mrs_hardcastle)

_family_

Miss Hardcastle and Mrs. Hardcastle are stepmother and stepdaughter, with some tension due to Mrs. Hardcastle's favoritism toward Tony.

### [Miss Neville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/she_stoops_to_conquer_se/characters/miss_neville)

_friendship_

Miss Hardcastle and Miss Neville are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other's romantic pursuits.

### [Tony Lumpkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/she_stoops_to_conquer_se/characters/tony_lumpkin)

_family_

Miss Hardcastle and Tony Lumpkin are step-siblings, with Tony often causing mischief that both hinders and helps her romantic plans.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/she_stoops_to_conquer_se/characters/miss_hardcastle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/she_stoops_to_conquer_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/she_stoops_to_conquer_se/characters