# Mrs. Candour — The School for Scandal character guide

> Mrs. Candour in The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Candour, Mrs. Candour Impossible, Mrs. Candour Well, Mrs. Candour O dear, Mrs. Candour Ha, Mrs. Candour Nay, Mrs. Candour Truly, Mrs. Candour Though, Mrs. Candour Sir Peter, Exit Mrs. Candour

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

## Snapshot

A society lady who deplores gossip in principle and practices it with tireless relish, defending every reputation by repeating the very rumor that ruins it.

## Who they are

Mrs. Candour arrives at Lady Sneerwell's with protestations of good nature and a fresh crop of stories—Miss Gadabout's elopement, Mrs. Festino's affair—each offered as something she would never repeat if it were not her duty to warn. Maria sees through her instantly: her affected benevolence does 'more mischief than the direct malice of old Crabtree.' She is the play's clearest portrait of scandal as a social performance, and her chatter helps circulate the lies that entangle Sir Peter, Lady Teazle, and the Surface brothers.

## Relationships

### [Lady Teazle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_school_for_scandal_se/characters/lady_teazle)

_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_

They are fellow gossips who delight in spreading rumors and scandal about others.

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

_social_

Joseph maintains a polite social connection with Mrs. Candour to stay informed of gossip.

## Links

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