The Sorrows of Young Werther · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Skim names here — open a free preview to see character cards and Character Web beside the page as you read.
Werther
major
Also known as poor Werther, O Werther, Dear Werther, the unfortunate Werther
A restless, tender-hearted young artist who flees to the countryside seeking peace, only to find his whole soul captured by a woman he cannot have.
Charlotte
major
Also known as dear Charlotte
A warm, capable young woman whose natural grace and steady goodness draw Werther helplessly toward her, though her heart already belongs to another.
Albert
major
Charlotte's calm, principled fiancé, whose quiet reasonableness makes him both an admirable man and an unbearable mirror to Werther's own disorder.
Wilhelm
supporting
Also known as O Wilhelm, dear Wilhelm, Dear Wilhelm
Werther's patient friend and confidant, the steady ear receiving letters that swing from ecstatic joy to black despair without warning.
The Servant
minor
Also known as his servant, my servant, the servant
Werther's loyal servant who attends to him.
Miss B
minor
Also known as the agreeable Miss B⸺, Miss B⸺ walking
A lady of Werther's acquaintance who appears in his social circle.
The Judge
minor
A local official, likely the father of a peasant lad Werther befriends.
The Doctor
minor
A doctor who attends to a character in the story.
Young Servant Girl
minor
Also known as a young servant - girl
A servant girl who becomes infatuated with Werther.
The good-natured A
minor
Also known as The good - natured A⸺
A friendly acquaintance of Werther's.
Sophy
minor
A young woman in Charlotte's household, likely one of her siblings.
Jane
minor
A name mentioned in a poetic or quoted context within the narrative.
Ossian
minor
The legendary Celtic bard whose poems Werther reads and quotes passionately.
Herr Schmidt
minor
An acquaintance of Werther's mentioned in passing.
Frederica
minor
A woman mentioned in connection to a story Werther hears.
Henry
minor
A name mentioned in a poetic or quoted context within the narrative.
Philip
minor
A name mentioned in a poetic or quoted context within the narrative.
