# Phillis — The Conscious Lovers character guide

> Phillis in The Conscious Lovers by Richard Steele.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Phillis, Madam Phillis

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

## Snapshot

Lucinda's quick-tongued maid, who bargains for love with kisses and trades gossip with Tom while scheming a small future of her own.

## Who they are

Phillis serves Lucinda but reads her mistress's romantic predicament with a servant's unsentimental clarity, defending the vulgar custom of sealing vows with lips rather than parchment. Her courtship with Tom unfolds in stolen asides and errands, each of them angling for a tenement and a wedding out of their masters' tangled affairs. Her running commentary on love, obedience, and marriage makes her the play's sharpest mirror of the gentry she waits on.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Lucinda is the mistress and Phillis her maid, sharing a friendly but hierarchical relationship with confidences exchanged.

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

_social_

Cimberton is a foolish suitor to Lucinda who interacts with Phillis as a servant, often condescendingly.

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

_professional_

Phillis is a maid in Sir John's household, often carrying messages and involved in the servants' subplot.

### [Myrtle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscious_lovers_se/characters/myrtle)

_social_

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

### [Indiana](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscious_lovers_se/characters/indiana)

_social_

Indiana and Phillis interact as mistress and maid, with Phillis assisting Indiana in her romantic affairs.

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

_professional_

Bevil Jr. treats Phillis kindly as a servant, using her to communicate with Indiana.

## Links

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