# Myrtle — The Conscious Lovers character guide

> Myrtle in The Conscious Lovers by Richard Steele.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Myrtle, Charles Myrtle, Charles

**First appearance:** 0006-act-i

## Snapshot

Bevil's friend and would-be duellist, whose jealousy over Lucinda drives him to challenge the very man trying to help him win her.

## Who they are

Myrtle loves Lucinda with a heat that makes him read betrayal into every cool word from Bevil, and he comes close to trading friendship for a sword-point. His temper is his defining flaw: he accuses Bevil of hiding behind conscience while hoarding a mistress abroad, and only Bevil's refusal to fight shames him back into reason. His eventual disguise as old Sir Geoffry, scheming to outwit the Cimberton match, shows how far a hot-headed lover will go when patience fails him.

## Relationships

### [Sir John Bevil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscious_lovers_se/characters/sir_john_bevil)

_social_

Myrtle is a friend of Bevil Jr. and an acquaintance of Sir John, often involved in the romantic subplots.

### [Bevil Jr.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscious_lovers_se/characters/bevil_jr)

_friendship_

Close friends and confidants, with Myrtle often jealous of Bevil Jr.'s apparent interest in Lucinda.

### [Phillis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscious_lovers_se/characters/phillis)

_social_

Myrtle uses Phillis as a go-between to communicate with Lucinda, creating a conspiratorial dynamic.

### [Lucinda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscious_lovers_se/characters/lucinda)

_romantic_

Lucinda and Myrtle are secretly in love, but their relationship is complicated by arranged marriage pressures.

### [Cimberton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscious_lovers_se/characters/cimberton)

_rivalry_

Cimberton is Myrtle's rival for Lucinda's hand, with Myrtle despising Cimberton's absurd pretensions.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscious_lovers_se/characters/myrtle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscious_lovers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscious_lovers_se/characters