# Lady Teazle — The School for Scandal character guide

> Lady Teazle in The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Lady Teazle Ay, Lady Teazle See, Lady Teazle Authority, Lady Teazle Lud, O Lud, Lady Teazle Nay, Lady Teazle No, Lady Teazle Peeping, Lady Teazle Good Mr., Lady Teazle Hem, Exit Lady Teazle, Lady Teazle's

**First appearance:** 0005-act-i

## Snapshot

A young wife fresh from the country who has discovered that scandal is more entertaining than marriage, and wields her tongue with a grace she never learned at home.

## Who they are

Lady Teazle has traded rural obscurity for the drawing rooms of Lady Sneerwell, where she abuses her acquaintance 'out of pure good humour' and assumes they do the same to her. She spars daily with Sir Peter, whom she married for position and now delights in plaguing, and she has caught the flattering attention of the smooth Mr. Surface. Her wit and restlessness drive the play's central intrigue, since everyone from her husband to Joseph to Lady Sneerwell has plans for what she should become.

## Relationships

### [Joseph Surface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_school_for_scandal_se/characters/joseph_surface)

_romantic_

Joseph attempts to seduce Lady Teazle, creating a secret romantic intrigue behind Sir Peter's back.

### [Sir Peter Teazle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_school_for_scandal_se/characters/sir_peter_teazle)

_family_

They are a married couple with a strained relationship due to their age difference and Lady Teazle's flirtatious nature.

### [Mrs. Candour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_school_for_scandal_se/characters/mrs_candour)

_social_

They are acquaintances in the scandal-mongering social circle, with Mrs. Candour spreading gossip about Lady Teazle.

### [Sir Benjamin Backbite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_school_for_scandal_se/characters/sir_benjamin_backbite)

_social_

Sir Benjamin flirts with Lady Teazle as part of the fashionable social scene, but without genuine romantic intent.

### [Charles Surface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_school_for_scandal_se/characters/charles_surface)

_friendship_

Charles treats Lady Teazle with friendly respect and does not participate in her flirtation, unlike his brother.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_school_for_scandal_se/characters/lady_teazle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_school_for_scandal_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_school_for_scandal_se/characters