# Sir Peter Teazle — The School for Scandal character guide

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

**Role:** 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:** 0005-act-i

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

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

_psychological_

Joseph manipulates Sir Peter with feigned friendship while secretly pursuing Lady Teazle.

### [Sir Oliver Surface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_school_for_scandal_se/characters/sir_oliver_surface)

_friendship_

They are old friends and confidants, with Sir Oliver seeking Sir Peter's advice about his nephews.

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

_friendship_

Charles is friendly and open with Sir Peter, who appreciates his honesty despite his reckless behavior.

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

_family_

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

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

_social_

Sir Benjamin is a social acquaintance who flirts with Lady Teazle, causing Sir Peter's jealousy.

### [Servant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_school_for_scandal_se/characters/servant)

_professional_

The servant serves Sir Peter and is often caught in the middle of his master's domestic troubles.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_school_for_scandal_se/characters/sir_peter_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