The School for Scandal · Character
Sir Peter Teazle
A wealthy baronet who married a country girl half his age and now finds his authority mocked, his evenings spent at scandalous houses he claims to despise.
major
Also known as Sir Peter, Peter, Sir Peter Ay, Sir Peter Sir, Sir Peter Teazle, Sir Peter Egad, Egad, Sir Peter Pshaw, Sir Peter Ah, Sir Peter Allons, Sir Peter Stay, Sir Peter Moral, Sir Peter Sly rogue, Sir Peter Wild, Sir Peter Oons, Sir Peter Grace, Sir Peter Hush, Sir Peter Ha, Sir Peter Hold, Sir Peter Peeping
First appearance: act i
As a major figure in The School for Scandal, Sir Peter Teazle is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Sir Peter Teazle is the aging baronet whose late marriage to a young wife has made him a fixture of the very society he distrusts. He rails against Lady Sneerwell's circle as 'coiners of scandal and clippers of reputation,' yet admits he'll 'call in, just to look after my own character,' and confesses he takes 'great satisfaction in quarrelling' with a wife who will never love him. His wounded vanity and divided loyalties make him the fulcrum on which the play's gossip, guardianship, and marital schemes all turn.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Character Web
27 connectionsA slice of how Sir Peter Teazle sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Psychological
- Friendship
- Family
- Social
Character groups
- Central characters and gossips
- Protagonist
+22 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak of the scandal’s…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Joseph Surface
psychological · negative
Joseph manipulates Sir Peter with feigned friendship while secretly pursuing Lady Teazle. How this plays out →
- Sir Oliver Surface
friendship · positive
- Charles Surface
friendship · positive
- Lady Teazle
family · ambivalent
- Sir Benjamin Backbite
social · negative
- Servant
professional · ambivalent
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Sir Peter Teazle in act i