Albertus Wallenstein, Duke of Fridland and erstwhile military hero of the Holy Roman Empire. His long and volatile career as a successful general is nearly over when the play begins. He is Bavarian-born, like Tilly, but a generation younger. Together they have defeated the Protestant Danish forces and Wallenstein has been quick to amass lands and titles. Complaints over his ruthless campaigning have led the Emperor to dismiss him, leaving Tilly in command of both the Catholic League and Imperial forces. After Tilly's defeat by the Swedes, Wallenstein is recalled. His second and final breach with the Emperor is the subject of the play, beginning with the Emperor's call for his resignation. Wallenstein (echoing Coriolanus) is bitterly outraged at what he takes to be the Emperor's ingratitude for his outstanding service-record. (The Emperor, conversely, believes him to be the ingrate, and traitor.) His truly loyal followers are Kintzki, Tertzki and Illawe but he believes the outspoken Scot, Lesle, to be his best friend for advising defiance against the Emperor and arguing its legitimacy. He arranges a muster of supporters at Dresden, impressing them with the justice of his grievances against the Emperor. His wins the support, particularly, of the Elector of Saxon-Waymar, whose daughter, Emilia, is betrothed to Wallenstein's son, Fredericke, to seal their fathers' alliance. The delay in the wedding, mutually agreed on by the young couple, angers Wallenstein: he insists that war should take priority over love as it always has for him, denouncing Fredericke as degenerate and effeminate. Walllenstein's Duchess intervenes gently, but the arrival of the happy fiancés to appease him renders her contribution superfluous. He warns Gordon to return to Egers and prepare for the royal wedding five days hence. He is next outraged by the news of his son Albertus's proposed marriage to Isabella, which he feels would dishonour his entire family. He ignores his Duchess's appeal for moderation and understanding. A huge quarrel between father and son ensues. Wallenstein so deplores the proposed match that, failing to talk his son out of his affection, he decrees that Albertus may wed and bed Isabella if he murders her after the wedding night to wipe out the disgrace. Albertus is appalled at the suggestion that a single night in bed will exhaust his interest in Isabella and he denounces his father as a cruel tyrant. Furious at having his authority challenged, Wallenstein hastily condemns Isabella to death without trial as soon as his Duchess accuses her of stealing a jewel. Albertus tries to prevent the execution and Wallenstein kills his own son as they quarrel further. Like Titus Andronicus, he mourns the loss of his defiant son's potential, but places the family honour above fatherly love. After killing his son, Wallenstein breaks down, suffering melancholy and insomnia and fears he is going mad. His Page soothes him with music. Wallenstein then mistakes the Page for his son's ghost and stabs him too, declaring that his act is not murder, but justice for daring to disturb his rest. His Duchess tells him that she has found the missing jewel. Her grief over the death of the innocent Isabella moves Wallenstein to horrific premonitions of disaster, dispelled by the arrival of the welcoming-committee of Egers. After speeches and copious toasts, Wallenstein excuses himself to rest. In his absence, his allies are murdered by Lesle's Soldiers. Alone and oblivious, in a final soliloquy Wallenstein sees the ghosts of Albertus and Isabella and broods on death. His meditation on his sins and regrets is interupted by the plotters, Lesle, Gordon and Butler, who stab him. He dies praying forgiveness, not for his ambition, but his cruelty.
ALBERTUS WALLENSTEIN [the Younger]
Younger son and namesake to the elder Albertus Wallenstein, serving in his father's army; in love with his mother's Gentlewoman, Isabella. He is angered at his friend Newman's advice to concentrate on sex rather than romantic courtship. At first he pursues Isabella, trying to force her to have an illicit affair. He is persuaded by her virtuous and forthright objections to propose honorable marriage to her. He convinces her that her low social status will not prevent their happiness and is prepared to overcome his father's anger at his choice of bride. His brother Fredericke first discovers his lust has turned to honest love and resents the disgrace the marriage would cause for the family. They fight, and Albertus is wounded before they are forced apart by Wallenstein's lords. A second ferocious quarrel takes place between Albertus and his father, the son's defiance being every bit equal to the father's indignation. In turn, Wallenstein so deplores the proposed match that, failing to talk his son out of his affection, he decrees that Albertus may wed and bed Isabella if he murders her after the wedding night to wipe out the disgrace. Albertus is appalled at the suggestion that a single night together will exhaust his interest in Isabella: he denounces his father as a cruel tyrant. When his mother accuses Isabella of stealing a jewel he tries to save her from hanging and is killed by his father in their further quarrel. His father is later haunted by his ghost and that of Isabella.
ARNHEIM
Only mentioned. Another Lord summoned by Wallenstein to meet in league against the Emperor at Dresden. Unlike Brandenburg and Saxon-Waymar, his arrival there is not specified.
BRANDENBURG
Marquess of Brandenburg, ally to Wallenstein. When Wallenstein decides to defy the Emperor, he is summoned to Dresden to join in the rebel league. He believes that Wallenstein's league will bring overdue peace to Germany and is happy to sign the treaty.
BUTLER, CAPTAIN
Captain Butler, one of the foreign mercenaries, historically Irish, but described, with Lesle and Gordon, as a Scot. Non-speaking in his first scene, and he remains taciturn throughout. With Gordon, he first supports Wallenstein, but is persuaded by the treacherous Lesle to assist his plot to betray him to the Emperor for a large reward. With Gordon, he accompanies Lesle to the Emperor to offer their services and back to the Duke, protesting loyalty. The three successfully stab Wallenstein according to plan.
CHANCELLOR OXENSTERN
Only mentioned. Axel Oxensteern, Councillor to Gustavus Adolphus, after whose death Oxensteern continued to run the Swedish campaign according to his late king's plan. Wallenstein mentions continuing diplomacy with him, as part of the alliance against the Emperor.
DUCHESS
Duchess of Fridland, wife to Wallenstein, mother of Fredericke and Albertus. [Historically she is Isabella Katharina von Harrach, daughter of a senior ally to the Emperor.] Either a modest or neglected wife, she says little but always in the cause of preserving family harmony. She first appears when Wallenstein is furious at the delay in their son Fredericke's marriage to Emilia. Her gentle intervention is largely overlooked as the happy couple appears just in time to placate his anger: it is unclear whether Wallenstein actually paid her any attention. She later attempts to intercede for Albertus, whose proposed marriage to her own waiting-woman, Isabella, has incensed him. He ignores her appeal for moderation. The Duchess returns to interrupt the fierce quarrel between husband and son with the sudden news that she has lost a precious jewel and accuses Isabella of stealing it. The consequences are catastrophic, leading to the deaths of Albertus and Isabella, despite the Duchess's laments. She later finds the missing jewel and grieves over the senseless deaths and her thoughtless part in the slaughter. She does not re-appear.
EMILIA
Daughter to the Duke of Saxon-Waymar. She is betrothed to Wallenstein's son Fredericke to seal their fathers' alliance against the Emperor. The marriage plans are settled before she first meets her intended husband, and she is initially a timid and reluctant bride. His obvious love for her at first sight, and deference to her own feelings, encourage her to speak openly to Fredericke and ask for more time to become acquainted before the wedding. At a later meeting he woos her politely and poetically, persuading her that, happy as she is to be a virgin, he will make her happier as his wife. They seal the agreement with a chaste kiss. [Continuity confusion occurs: Wallenstein's murder takes place after the general arrival in Egers for the royal wedding, but Fredericke is already mentioned as Saxon-Waymar's 'son' in an intermediate description of his victory over the Emperor's forces].
EMPEROR
Ferdinand II of Germany, the Holy Roman Emperor and father to King Ferdinand of Hungary. At the start of the play has demanded the resignation of his commander-in-chief, Wallenstein. Wallenstein's defiance and mustering of allies in a league against him, provides the political conflict of the play. Emperor for 24 years already, his inflexible viewpoint remains that his rule is absolute and that Wallenstein is an ungrateful traitor. He promotes the inadequate Matthias Gallas to replace Wallenstein, and takes his advice that policy, not force, is his best chance of suppressing the league against him. He sends to his son for reinforcements. He is first suspicious of, then delighted by Lesle's offer to betray Wallenstein, and offers a rich reward to have his enemy murdered. The Emperor is later deeply discouraged by reversals: Saxon-Waymar's army, led by Fredericke Wallenstein, has beaten his, and he fears desertions to the opposition. Neither Questenberg nor his son can cheer him: he puts his last hope in Lesle's assassination-plot, receiving further news that the plan is set. His reaction to the successful assassination is not shown.
FERDINAND
Son of the Emperor and King of Hungary. Summoned by his father to assist in opposing Wallenstein's rebellion. He arrives with reinforcements and is a pattern of filial loyalty thereafter. He later tries to encourage his father, after a heavy defeat, of the divine justice of their cause.
FREDRICKE
Wallenstein's older son, betrothed to Emilia to seal his father's alliance with hers, the Duke of Saxon-Waymar. Fortunately for them both, he falls in love with her at first sight, just as he is immediately impressed by her intelligence. He gains her confidence and they agree to spend more time becoming acquainted before rushing into their arranged marriage. At a later meeting, he politely asks Emilia if she has warmed to him, wooing her most poetically and winning her round to their marriage. Their decision pre-empts Wallenstein's anger at the delay, when he denounces Fredericke as degenerate and effeminate for prevaricating. He next encounters his brother and discovers to his horror that Albertus has proposed honourable marriage to Isabella. Her servant-status provokes him to crude insults as Albertus compares their respective brides: the brothers fight, Fredericke wounding Albertus before they are separated. Not seen afterwards, but said to have been put in charge of Saxon-Waymar's army after his marriage and with it to have been victorious over the Emperor's commander, Matthias Gallas.
GORDON
Colonel Gordon, Governor of Egers and initially loyal to Wallenstein. With Butler, he is persuaded by Lesle to assist in betraying Wallenstein to the Emperor, for the promise of a huge reward. He is entrusted by Wallenstein to host the royal wedding of Fredericke and Emilia in Egers. He expresses concern to his comrades that Wallenstein will discover their plot before they are ready to act: as Governor, he is busy preparing the ceremonial welcome that Duke is to be given. The welcome goes according to plan: Soldiers murder Wallenstein's allies, leaving Gordon and Butler, led by Lesle, to assassinate the Duke.
GUSTAVUS HORNE
Only mentioned. He is named by Lesle, along with Saxon-Waymar, as a potential ally in Wallenstein's league against the Emperor.
ILLAWE
Marshall Illawe, loyal to Wallenstein. With Kintzki, Tertzki and Newman, he helps to break up the fight between Wallenstein's sons. Accompanies Wallenstein and other allies to Egers, where he is murdered, with them, by Lesle's Soldiers.
ISABELLA
The Duchess's Gentlewoman, romantically pursued by Wallenstein's son Albertus. She loves him, but is afraid for her honour and resists being flattered into an illicit affair. Her modesty persuades him to respect her fear of being compromised. He tries again to force his attentions on her, which she so eloquently rejects that he is won over by her goodness and proposes honourable marriage. She feels unworthy because of her humble status but he over-optimistically persuades her that their love will prevail. Their proposed marriage causes great outrage: Albertus quarrels first with his brother, then father, for her sake. She is accused by the Duchess of stealing a jewel and protesting her innocence, is hanged. Albertus is killed by his father trying to prevent her execution, and the Duchess later finds her jewel and laments her part in shedding innocent blood.
KINTZKI
Earl of Kintzki, with his colleague the Earl of Tertzki, loyal supporters of Wallenstein. With Tertzki, Illawe and Newman, he helps to break up the fight between Wallenstein's sons. Later accompanies Wallenstein to Egers with other allies, where, with them, he is shot by Lesle's Soldiers.
LESLE
Colonel Lesle, the Iago-like machiavellian villain of the play and leader of the group of foreigners (Butler and Gordon) who betray and kill Wallenstein. First ostensibly loyal to Wallenstein, and called his 'best friend', he voices disgust at the Emperor's order for Wallenstein's resignation and argues that subjects are free to disobey the unjust commands of princes. Moreover, he argues, as a Duke, Wallenstein is a prince in his own right and can proceed with honour, with their backing, under his own authority. [ed. note: sig. B4r is clearly missing a speech where Lesle's encouragement prompts the plotting of Wallenstein's next move. Lesle has two distinct speeches back-to-back, the first arguing Wallenstein's autonomy, the second advising against rashness during the 'exploit' presumably proposed by Wallenstein is missing text. This could have been censored as too overtly eloquent of the defiance of royalty.] Lesle's suggestion of approaching Saxon-Waymar and Gustavus Horne as allies in Wallenstein's defiance is accepted. His treacherous nature is first suggested in a brief soliloquy where he identifies himself with a 'subtle snake', but we are left guessing at what he is actually aiming at, or why. After witnessing Wallenstein's muster of support at Dresden, he further soliloquizes about his plans to use Gordon and Butler as his agents. He persuades them that Wallenstein's cause is treacherous, stresses that their position as foreigners caught up in controversy is the more dangerous and that most importantly, the Emperor will richly reward them all for betraying Wallenstein. They meet the Emperor and Lesle succeeds in convincing him that their reputation as Wallenstein's friends is merely a ruse, by betraying details of Wallenstein's league. He wins a rich commission to assassinate Wallenstein and persuades his comrades that they are acting for justice. He leads them back to Wallenstein where he again makes fulsome speeches of loyalty to the Duke, including the story that the Emperor has unsuccessfully tried to suborn the three to treachery. He affects scorn for the Emperor's alleged bribes. Wallenstein promises to reward his loyalty. The conspirators plan to act during the royal wedding celebrations in Egers (where Gordon is Governor). Lesle decides that Wallenstein's allies are also to be killed, to weaken the entire league and win further favour with the Emperor. He leads the Duke's welcoming-committee to Egers and makes sure that the allies are provided with plenty of drink for loyal toasts. The Duke having retired, Soldiers loyal to Lesle shoot the assembled allies: together with Gordon and Butler, Lesle then stabs Wallenstein, gloating in the face of accusations of treachery.
MATTHIAS GALLAS
Appointed by the Emperor to replace Wallenstein in command of the army. Formerly Wallenstein's Field Marshall, his promotion is discussed with derision by Wallenstein's allies. Gallas knows that he has taken over an army who preferred his predecessor. He advises the Emperor that using force against Wallenstein will be useless, that he should proceed by policy instead. At the point when the King of Hungary arrives with reinforcements for the Emperor, Gallas has levied 60,000 men to his army, but fears that they lack adequate training. Throughout, his caution may be indicative of cowardice or plain incompetence. Last mentioned having suffered a severe defeat against the army of Saxon-Waymar, now led by Wallenstein's surviving son, Fredericke.
MESSENGER
At the Emperor's court, who simply announces the arrival of the treacherous Scots, Lesle, Gordon and Butler and delivers Lesle's later correspondence.
NEWMAN
Colonel Newman, an English soldier loyal to Wallenstein and close friend to Wallenstein's sons, especially Albertus. His robust opinions and vulgarity provide an element of brash soldierly comedy in the play. First seen teasing Albertus for his lover's melancholy, insisting that soldiers should concentrate on sex, not romance, where serving-girls are concerned. His crudity angers Albertus. Next seen with both Wallenstein's sons, this time comically advising Fredericke how to court his political bride, Emilia, whom he has not yet seen. Accompanying Fredericke, he interrupts Albertus proposing honourable marriage to Isabella, and mistakes the scene for a promising seduction. After the brothers' fight over their respective brides, Newman plans to make them friends again, but Albertus's death soon follows. Next seen accompanying Wallenstein's party to Egers, where he feels left out of the copious drinking going on, but sings a catch to entertain the Lords, when Wallenstein retires to rest. The jovial Newman is murdered alongside Kintzki, Tertzki and Illawe by Lesle's Soldiers.
PAGE
In the service of Wallenstein, appears to announce the arrival of the Scots traitors from Egers and escorts the Duchess with her announcement that Isabella has stolen her jewel. Most notably, after Wallenstein kills his son and descends into melancholy, the Page keeps him company with music (like Lucius to Brutus in Julius Caesar IV.3). Wallenstein then mistakes him for the ghost of Albertus and stabs him. There is no clear indication that all three scenes feature the same Page, but no counter-indications either.
QUESTENBERG
Earl of Questenberg, of the Emperor's party. When Wallenstein defies the Emperor, Questenberg warns that he is a powerful enemy. When the Emperor is discouraged by a heavy defeat in battle, he extols the justice of their cause and the Emperor's successful reign of twenty-four years.
SAXON-WEYMAR
Duke of Saxon-Weymar, He agrees that the Emperor has treated Wallenstein unjustly and ungratefully and supports the league against him. To seal their alliance, he betroths his daughter Emilia to Wallenstein's son, Fredericke. He is reported to have put his new son-in-law in charge of his forces, whose success is devastating to the Emperor.
SOLDIERS
Four unnamed Soldiers are engaged by Lesle to shoot Wallenstein's allies, Tertzki, Kintzki, Illawe and Newman, to clear the way for the assassination of the Duke.
TERTZKI
Earl of Tertzki, with his colleague the Earl of Kintzki, loyal supporters of Wallenstein. Completely taken in by the treacherous protestatons of loyalty uttered by Lesle. With Kintzki, Illawe and Newman, he helps to break up the fight between Wallenstein's sons. He later accompanies Wallenstein to Egers with other allies, and with them, is shot by Lesle's Soldiers, denouncing Lesle's treachery with his final breath.
TILLY
Only mentioned. Commander of the forces of the Catholic League, and after Wallenstein's first fall from power also made Commander of the Imperial army. During the action of the play, his military reputation has declined after his defeat by Gustavus Adolphus, leading to Wallenstein's recall to service by the Emperor. His fall is discussed by Newman.
WALLENSTEIN
Family name of Albertus the elder, Fredericke, and Albertus the younger.