John Fletcher
THE PILGRIM
1621 (?)
a synoptic, alphabetical character list
ALINDA
Daughter to Alphonso. At only fifteen years old, she is widely known for her beauty, modesty and extreme charity to the poor and needy who frequent her door. For reasons that are never altogether clear, her father wishes to marry her to the outlaw Roderigo, but her heart is already given to Pedro, the son of her father's and Roderigo's enemy. She thus resists any marriage plans. When Pedro appears at her door in the guise of a pilgrim, she initially fails to recognize him. Upon doing so, she covertly escapes from her father's house in order to follow him. Disguised as a boy, she is taken into the band of Roderigo's outlaws, and soon has to exercise all her skills of persuasion to convince Roderigo not to kill Pedro when the latter comes into his power. She flees Roderigo's camp to pursue Pedro, but loses him again and arrives in Segonia exhausted and slightly disoriented, with her father, Curio and Seberto, and Juletta all in hot pursuit. Still disguised as a boy, she is taken into the madhouse at Segonia. Here she meets Pedro, who recognizes her; she once again escapes in order to follow him, but (unsurprisingly by this point) loses him again. Her father fails to recognize her when he meets her, taking her for a mere fool; but Juletta knows her when they meet. Together, Alinda and Juletta disguise themselves as old women, tell Pedro that he will soon enjoy Alinda and convince Roderigo to forego his evil ways. Alinda then attends the King's birthday celebrations in the guise of a shepherd, is recognized and forgiven by her father, and is reunited with Pedro, with whom she presumably lives happily ever after.
ALONSO
Described by Roderigo as Pedro's father; presumably the first name of Ferando.
ALPHONSO
Father to Alinda. A cruel, covetous man, he is determined to marry his saintly daughter Alinda to the wealthy outlaw Roderigo despite his friends' pleas that he show some consideration of her feelings for Pedro. He condemns and mocks Alinda's charity, and his obnoxious behaviour drives her to flee his house in order to seek her beloved. Incensed by her escape, Alphonso pursues her, but is frustrated in his efforts by the machinations of his daughter's devoted and mischievous maid, Juletta. He eventually meets Alinda, first in her disguise as a boy and then in her disguise as a madwoman, but with a signal lack of paternal intuition he fails to recognize her on both occasions. On his arrival at the Segonia madhouse where Alinda has been ensconced, his raving and Juletta's trickery convince the Master that Alphonso is himself mad, and he is mistakenly incarcerated. His time in the madhouse cows Alphonso. By the time Curio and Seberto manage his release, he is a changed man, and on Alinda's appearance at the King's birthday celebrations he begs her forgiveness and agrees to her marriage with Pedro.
BEGGARS
Four beggars appear with Pedro and the Pilgrim at Alinda's door, hoping for charity and praising Alinda as an angel of mercy. They are insulted by the Porter and Alphonso, but fed by Alinda.
BESS
A "ghost character". A madwoman at the madhouse, described by her keepers as "roar[ing] like thunder."
BOY
One of the alter egos of Alinda, who disguises herself as a boy, deceiving Roderigo and his men. In this guise she manages to convince Roderigo not to kill Pedro. She is still disguised as a boy when she arrives at the madhouse in Segonia, and is much praised as a "handsome youth."
CARDINAL
A "ghost character". According to one of the gentlemen who visit the madhouse with Pedro, the Cardinal is very angry to hear that the Scholar is being kept there and has sent a letter asking for his release.
CITIZENS
On the King's birthday, the citizens of Segonia beg the Governor to rid them of the scourge of Roderigo and his fellow outlaws.
COURTIERS
Courtiers accompany the Governor and Verdugo to church on the King's birthday.
CURIO
A friend of Alphonso, he tries to convince him to show more gentleness to Alinda. He shows interest in and sympathy for the pilgrims who come to seek Alinda's aid. After Alinda's escape he tries to calm Alphonso's rage, and joins Seberto in the search for her. Although he and Seberto do encounter Alinda in her boyish disguise, they fail to recognize her and are consistently frustrated both in their search for her and in their efforts to rejoin Alphonso. Eventually, they arrive in Segonia in time to rescue Alphonso from his incarceration in the madhouse there. They are with him at the King's birthday celebrations when Alinda finally reappears, and they applaud the play's happy ending.
DUKE of MEDINA
A "ghost character". Juletta tells the Master of the madhouse that she comes with a commission from the Duke for the incarceration of Alphonso, and produces a letter to back up her claim. Curio and Seberto later prove that this is impossible, as the Duke of Medina has never met Alphonso.
ENGLISHMAN
A mad Englishman incarcerated in the madhouse, described by his keepers as a "malt-mad" heathen drunkard. (But then, the keepers ascribe all English madness to overindulgence in beer.) The Englishman seems particularly keen on Kate, the "She-Fool," and repeatedly offers to create mad little babies by copulating with her.
FERANDO
A "ghost character". The father to Pedro, he is also referred to as 'Alonso', presumably his first name. Ferando is a much-despised neighbour of Alphonso, perhaps because he hates the outlaw Captain Roderigo and all his friends. Because of the enmity between Ferando and the Alphonso/Roderigo party, Pedro is forbidden to marry Alinda and almost loses his life to Roderigo.
GENTLEMAN
A gentleman welcomes Pedro when he arrives in Segonia after his wanderings, and shows him the town madhouse.
GENTLEMEN
Three gentlemen, one of whom may be the Gentleman who welcomed Pedro, accompany Pedro to the madhouse.
GOVERNOR
The governor of Segonia appears toward the end of the play to order a feast-day for the King's birthday. Asked by the citizens of the town to right their injustices at the hands of the outlaws, he determines to apprehend Roderigo, although he feels some sympathy for the man and his cause. He later leads the church celebrations at which the play's main characters are reunited.
JACQUES
One of Roderigo's band of outlaws, he is described along with Loper as two "[l]ads / That know their quarters, as they know their knapsaks; / And will not off." Although a relatively hardened criminal, he refuses to kill Pedro when Roderigo demands that he do so, citing the young man's status as a pilgrim; he does not wish to have "religious blood" on his conscience along with all his other sins. When one of his fellows suggests that perhaps Roderigo hates Pedro because the latter "bounced one of [Pedro's sisters'] belly-pieces," Jacques retorts that this would be a perfectly allowable Christian action. He applauds the mysterious Boy for saving Pedro's life, but is soon set to pursue the Boy when it is discovered that 'he' is actually Alinda in disguise. Frustrated in their search by Juletta's machinations and frightened by the drums of the King's soldiers, Jacques and his fellow outlaws abort their search and are not seen again.
JULETTA
Pert and witty young maid to Alinda, she encourages her mistress to be cheerful and to seek a young, handsome husband. When Alinda takes up her advice and escapes from her father's house to follow Pedro, Juletta is surprised, but defends her mistress' actions. She utterly refuses to help Alphonso in his search for her, even at the cost of her own job. Instead, she embarks on a mission to frustrate Alphonso and to help Alinda. Disguised as a boy, she repeatedly leads Alphonso astray in his search for his daughter. She meets with Alinda, but as both women are disguised neither recognizes the other and they part again. Juletta eventually traces her mistress to Segonia, where she meets her in the guise of a madwoman. Because she identifies the ring given her by the madwoman as one of her own that she had given to Alinda, the two are finally reunited. Juletta encourages Alinda first to disguise herself as an old woman in order to persuade Pedro and Roderigo to attend the King's birthday celebrations, and then to attend the celebrations herself in the guise of a shepherdess. In this guise Alinda is reunited with Pedro and her father. Juletta herself then confesses to all her plotting, is forgiven by Alphonso and is offered a husband, but she declares that her mistress is her husband and that she will stay with Alinda until death.
JUSTICE
A "ghost character". A madman in the madhouse, described by his keepers as possessed by the devil in the likeness of penal laws.
KATE
A.k.a. 'the She-Fool.' A madwoman in the madhouse. The keepers are concerned to see her loose, for fear the madmen "bounce her loins." According to them, she is "as lecherous as a she-ferret," and her behaviour with the equally lascivious Englishman appears to bear out their contention. She apparently helps Alinda to escape from the madhouse, but her remarks to this effect are so garbled that they anger both Alphonso and the Master. The latter orders that she be soundly whipped.
KEEPERS
Two keepers under the authority of the Master guard the madmen at the madhouse in Segonia. Something of a comic double-act, they trade arguments, jokes and barbs about their various charges in between bouts of restraining them. They prove particularly useful in restraining and imprisoning Alphonso when the Master is mistakenly convinced that Alinda's father has gone mad.
KING
A "ghost character". An unseen but highly influential presence in the play, the King has become angry with his Captain, Roderigo, for some misdemeanour. His displeasure drives Roderigo to become an outlaw and to defy royal authority. Conversely, the King seems quite favourably disposed toward Ferando and his son, Pedro, and is reported to be grief-stricken when the young man is presumed dead. The Governor and Verdugo go out of their way to arrange elaborate and peaceful celebrations for the King's birthday in Segonia, and pay fulsome tribute to him there before the play's denouement ensues.
LADY of the MOUNTAINS
A "ghost character". An imaginary fairy godmother figure invented by Alinda while she pretends to be mad. Alinda gives Juletta a 'nutmeg' (really a ring) that she claims was given her by the Lady of the Mountains.
LADIES
Ladies, presumably from the King's court, accompany the Governor and Verdugo to church on the King's birthday.
LOPER
One of Roderigo's band of outlaws, he is described with Jacques as one of two "[l]ads / That know their quarters, as they know their knapsaks; / And will not off." Like Jacques, Loper refuses to kill Pedro when asked to do so and applauds the mysterious Boy for saving Pedro's life, but is soon set to pursue the Boy when it is discovered that 'he' is Alinda in disguise. Frustrated in their search by Juletta's machinations and frightened by the drums of the King's soldiers, Loper and his fellow outlaws abort their search and are not seen again.
MASTER
The Master of the madhouse in Segonia runs the asylum with the help of two keepers. Although a strong disciplinarian, he is a humane and kindly man who feels pity for the mad Scholar and shows compassion to Alinda when she appears at the madhouse in the guise of the distracted Boy. He is tricked by Juletta into incarcerating Alphonso as a madman, but is convinced of his mistake by Curio and Seberto and lets the old man go.
NICHOLAS, SIR
A "ghost character". The parish priest to the four peasants who attack Roderigo in Segonia. They regret that Sir Nicholas is not with them, as Roderigo was known "for ringing all in with [the priest's] wife in the belfry."
OLD WOMAN
A "ghost character". The four peasants who come across Roderigo in Segonia initially mistake him for this old woman, who "keeps sheep hereabouts."
OUTLAWS
Four outlaws, apparently ex-soldiers like their Captain, appear with Roderigo in the wilderness. Along with Jacques and Loper, they apparently represent a small part of a much larger crew of Roderigo's supporters. They love their Captain and encourage him to rob and pillage, but refuse to kill Pedro when Roderigo asks them to do so because they do not wish to have religious blood on their hands. They aid in the search for Alinda, but are unsuccessful and soon dissipate in fear of the King's troupes.
PARSON
A madman at the madhouse, described by his keepers as having "a thousand pigs in's brains" when the moon is full. Along with the Englishman and the Scholar, he is one of the madmen who appear before Alphonso when the latter comes to seek Alinda.
PEASANTS
Four peasants cross Roderigo's path in Segonia just as he resolves to reform his ways. Having been robbed by him previously, they take the opportunity to beat him while he is sleeping, ignoring his pleas for clemency when he awakes. They are soon dispersed by Pedro, who accuses them of cowardice for ganging up on a defenceless man.
PEDRO
Son of Ferando. Pedro is a very handsome young man who, according to Alphonso, once traded amorous looks with Alinda. Alphonso's hatred of Ferando and his opposition to penniless suitors led him to quash any friendly relations between the two young people. Soon afterwards, Pedro left his father's house, reportedly due to some vague form of "guilty conscience," and disappeared. He reappears at Alinda's door in the guise of a pilgrim, and declares that he is in search of his "self." She momentarily fails to recognize him, then does so after his departure and sets off to follow him. In the wilderness, Pedro is captured by his arch-enemy Roderigo, who threatens to kill him. Pedro declares his utter disdain for any man who would wantonly kill an unarmed pilgrim. He is unafraid to die, but is saved by the outlaws' refusal to murder him at Roderigo's command and by the Boy's (actually Alinda's) argument that it would ill behove Roderigo to send his enemy straight to heaven in a pilgrim's state of grace. Set free by Roderigo, Pedro travels to Segonia and visits the madhouse, where he again encounter Alinda in the guise of a mad boy. The two recognize one another and plan to meet, but are again separated. While searching for Alinda in Segonia, Pedro saves Roderigo from four vengeful peasants. Already repentant of his sins, Roderigo is so impressed by Pedro's magnanimity that he swears to take Pedro as an example and to help him to regain Alinda. Together, the two encounter Juletta and Alinda disguised as old women, and are impressed when the crones predict that Pedro will soon be united with his beloved if he will only attend the King's birthday celebrations. He does, and not only finds Alinda but is welcomed back into the King's service.
PILGRIM
A Pilgrim accompanies Pedro to Alphonso's house. He is said to be young and handsome, like his companion. He speaks to Alinda and Juletta when Pedro is tongue-tied, but then disappears and never returns into the play's narrative.
PORTER
The porter in Alphonso's household, he is charged with receiving the pilgrims and beggars who are the objects of Alinda's charity, but treats them contemptuously until Alinda appears to rebuke him. He then reports Alinda's flight from the house to Alphonso and aids in the search for her, but can offer no idea as to her whereabouts.
PRENTICE
A "ghost character". A madman in the madhouse, apparently crazed by love of a lost mistress.
PRIEST
A "ghost character". As the play ends, the characters are about to visit him to seal the marriage between Alinda and Pedro.
QUEEN
A "ghost character". Wife to the King; she is described as a model of chastity and fulsomely praised by the characters who attend the King's birthday celebrations.
RODERIGO
Also spelled Rodergio. A young, brave, rich, handsome, but very 'rough' outlaw designed by Alphonso as the future husband of his saintly daughter Alinda. Previously a Captain in the King's army, Roderigo has apparently transgressed against his master, been dismissed from the army and is now defying the King's laws in the wilderness with Jacques, Loper and a band of thieves. Disguised as a boy, Alinda temporarily joins this band, and Roderigo finds himself inexplicably attracted to 'him.' His interest in the boy is tested when the outlaws capture Pedro in his pilgrim's habit. Implacably opposed to Pedro because of their rivalry for Alinda's hand and an old enmity between their families, Roderigo threatens to kill his rival despite the latter's religious status. However, his men refuse to execute his commands, and eventually the boy convinces him to stay his hand and to let Pedro go. Shortly thereafter the boy escapes and Roderigo discovers 'his' true identity. Incensed, he swears to follow and capture Alinda, but is frustrated at every turn and eventually decides that the heavens must be against him because of his sins. He has scarcely repented of said sins when he is attacked by an angry mob of peasants, who would kill him but for the life-saving intervention of Pedro. Moved by this act of charity, Roderigo swears to eschew his evil ways and to serve Pedro. He is confirmed in his resolution by Alinda and Juletta, who appear disguised as old women and enjoin him to repent. Despite the fact that he is being pursued by the Governor's men, Roderigo accompanies Pedro to the King's birthday celebrations, where he is forgiven for his crimes and vows once again to fight for his country's good.
SEBERTO
A friend to Alphonso who tries along with Curio to convince the old man to show more kindness to his daughter Alinda. He admires Alinda's charity to the poor, and is present when Alphonso discovers Alinda's escape. After a futile attempt to calm Alphonso's rage, he joins Curio in the search for her. Although he and Curio do encounter Alinda in her boyish disguise, they fail to recognize her and are consistently frustrated both in their search for her and in their efforts to rejoin Alphonso. Eventually, they arrive in Segonia in time to rescue Alphonso from his incarceration in the madhouse. They are with Alphonso at the King's birthday celebrations when Alinda finally reappears, and they applaud the play's happy ending.
SERVANTS
Alphonso has at least two servants, both of whom help to search for Alinda after she disappears.
SHE–FOOL
An alternate designation for Kate.
STEFANO
A Scholar-madman in the madhouse. One keeper rebukes the other for claiming that the scholar appears to be in his right wits–surely an impossibility in an asylum. He later enters with Pedro and the gentlemen, who all affirm that he does indeed seem both sane and respectable; moreover, the Cardinal is said to be very irate at the thought of the scholar's being incarcerated in the madhouse and has demanded his release. The Master disagrees, and is proven right when on mention of the sea the scholar suddenly begins to claim that he is Neptune. Thereafter, he continues to behave madly throughout the play.
VERDUGO
Apparently the deputy or other officer to the Governor of Segonia, he is charged with apprehending Roderigo, but fears it will be a difficult task. He is present with the Governor at the King's birthday celebrations when the play reaches its happy conclusion.
WELSH MADMAN
A madman in the madhouse in Signoria. When he appears before Alphonso, the Master describes him as "a mountaineer, a man of Goatland." By his own testimony, his name appears to be Owen. He is said to have run mad "because a rat ate up's cheese."
WIDOW
A "ghost character". A poor widow at whose house Juletta plans to help Alinda to change her disguise.
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