# Sir Charles Marlow — She Stoops to Conquer character guide

> Sir Charles Marlow in She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sir Charles, Charles, Old Sir Charles

**First appearance:** 0008-act-v

## Snapshot

Marlow's trusting father and Hardcastle's old friend, who arrives to seal a match and cannot believe his bashful son capable of the boldness he hears described.

## Who they are

Sir Charles Marlow comes to Hardcastle's house as an old friend expecting to conclude a marriage between their children, only to find the two fathers trading irreconcilable accounts of the same young man. He stakes his life and honour on his son's modesty, insisting the forward, ranting lover Kate describes cannot possibly be Marlow. That stubborn faith sets up the screen scene, where the evidence of his own ears must either vindicate his son or end all his happiness in him.

## Relationships

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

_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.

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

_social_

Sir Charles Marlow and Tony Lumpkin interact as part of the social comedy, with Tony's antics confusing the older gentleman.

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

_family_

Mr. Marlow and Sir Charles Marlow are father and son, with Sir Charles arranging his son's marriage and being proud of him.

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

_social_

Hastings and Sir Charles Marlow are acquaintances, with Hastings being a friend of Sir Charles's son and involved in the romantic entanglements.

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

_social_

Mrs. Hardcastle and Sir Charles Marlow are social acquaintances, with Mrs. Hardcastle eager to impress the wealthy visitor.

## Links

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