"A Lord" and "former Generall," the brother of Cratus, and a confidante of the King, Adrastus is chided by Sinatus at the play's beginning for his wartime strategies and is given free reign by the King to take his "revenge" upon "the present Generall" Arviragus, who has disgraced him with "his last achievements." He appoints two of his Servants to murder Arviragus and, when they are killed by the Generall, claims that they must have "quareld in drinke" and "killd one th'other." Although the King ponders having Adrastus "poison" Arviragus he decides, instead, to send his "best Servant" (along with Cratus) to "the Cave where th'old Beldam lives" in order to learn the outcome of "the present warre" as well as "when, and what shall be [the King's] end." When Adrastus, himself, is identified as the "Traytor" who will slay the King he becomes angry but, unable to lie to the King out of fear that his brother or the Witch will betray him, he conspires with Cratus to kill their "master." When Cratus expresses regret over the murder Adrastus kills his brother and, caught by Guimantes in his attempted escape, blames the murder on Eugenius, Sinatus, and Cratus. The Lord is "shut in" by Guimantes (who realizes that Adrastus may have participated in the murder of his father) and, although Sinatus and Guimantes each express belief in the fact that Adrastus is "innocent," he confesses to murdering the King and convinces the Prince to break the King's truce with Arviragus,"charge th'enemy," and "let [his] head pay the forfeit" if the battle is lost.
ARTEMIA
The daughter of Eugenius and sister of Guiderius, Artemia is described by her father near the play's beginning as "pin[ing] with griefe, not having seene [Guiderius] this seven yeares past, having remaind, during these warres in Pictland." The King "withdraw[s]" Eugenius from the side of Arviragus by promising him that Guimantes would marry Artemia, although the "Goddesse" claims that she "will have sufficient tryall" and must remain Guimantes's "Mistris" for one year or "never [his] wife." When Eugenius falls out of favour with the King Guimantes claims that he will "have [his] pleasure of [Eugenius's] scornefull daughter" either "by faire means, or by force," although Artemia later informs her horrified father that she was able to protect herself against him with a knife.
ARVIRAGUS
The "present Generall" of the King's army at the play's beginning, Eugenius's and Guiderius's "Cosen," Sinatus's "foster child," and the lover of Philicia, Arviragus is hated by both Adrastus and Guimantes for his recent wartime victories. Son of the former King of Pictland, he was mercifully saved and brought up with the usurping King's "own sonne and daughter" and was promised "his fathers principality" if he "return'd victorious" against "th' Danes" (which he does without question at the play's beginning). At the King's commandment Adrastus orders two of his "Servants" to murder Arviragus who, acting in self-defense, kills Murderer 1 and, when the King refuses to "make [. . .] good" on his promise to him, Arviragus pledges his love to Philicia, flees the court, and rallies an Army in order to "yeeld what he desires." When Guimantes is taken prisoner Arviragus mistakenly "commit[s]" him to the charge of Sinatus who, betraying the Lord, frees the Prince. He is, furthermore, betrayed by Guiderius and Eugenius, who are drawn to the King's side through the promise of "a double marriage" and, in an "enterview" with the King and Philicia near the play's end, Arviragus comes to a truce "for three daies" during which "all may be considered" and "more maturely waighed."
ARVIRAGUS'S FATHER
The former King of Pictland, Arviragus's father's "Kingdome" was "usurpt" by the King who promised Arviragus that he would "seat [him] on [his] fathers throne" if he "return'd victorious from the warre" against "th' Danes." It is the neglect of the King to fulfill this promise which prompts the battle between the King and Arviragus.
ARVIRAGUS'S FRIENDS
"Ghost characters." Arviragus informs Philicia that he cannot stay and talk with her since "Guiderius with a friend or two waits with [his] horse without the Ports."
ARVIRAGUS'S LORD
Discusses the battle and "the discovery of [the King's] daughter's love to Arviragus" with Sinatus.
ARVIRAGUS'S MESSENGER
Delivers the news of Eugenius's and Guiderius's "revolt" to Arviragus.
CAPTAIN
Fighting on the side of the King, the Captain resists General Guimantes's order that he "lay hands on" Sinatus which prompts the Prince to "make" a "blow" at him that Sinatus receives.
CAPTAIN, FIRST AND SECOND
The First and Second Captains discuss the King's request for an "enterview" with Arviragus and, likewise, Arviragus's consent.
CLEANTHES
A Lord and Arviragus's friend, Cleanthes fights on Arviragus's side and helps to cause disorder in the King's Campe. He is questioned by Arviragus as to whether or not Eugenius escaped "with life out of the Battle," and he accompanies the General to an "enterview" with Philicia and her father where he advises Arviragus not to trust the King.
COMMON PEOPLE
"Ghost characters." the King and Guiderius often discuss the affections of "the common people."
CRATUS
Adrastus's brother, Cratus accompanies him to the Witch's "Cave" in order to learn "the issue of the present warre" and "when, and what shall be [the King's] end." He conspires with Adrastus to slay the King but expresses regret for the deed and is slain by his brother, who identifies him to Guimantes as one of the King's murderers.
DANISH GENERAL
"A non-speaking character." the Danish Generall is defeated in warre by Arviragus and is lead "in triumph" into the city along with other Captives and Prisoners by the victors.
EUGENIUS
Arviragus's "Cosen," Eugenius is the father of Guiderius and Artemia whose loyalties shift throughout the play. Initially Arviragus's friend and a "Leader" in his army who advises him to "quit the Court" and "claim [his] double right of inheritance, and promise," Eugenius is won over by the King's "assurance of a double marriage betwixt [their] children," made his "Generall," and is referred to by him as "Prince of Pictland." For not fulfilling his promise that he would either slay Arviragus or be killed, the King "pronounce[s]" his "actions" in battle "treasons to th'state" and means to "strike off his head" until Sinatus speaks for him. Eugenius chides himself for not slaying the King "in the midst of all his scornes" and is horrified to learn of Artemia's near ravishment by Guimantes. At the play's end Eugenius is apprehended along with Sinatus for the part which Adrastus claims they had in the murder of the King and, at Guimantes's order that he be sent "to the Prison" where "torture shall force [he and Sinatus] to confesse," he expresses regret over betraying Arviragus.
EUGENIUS'S CAPTAIN
Presented by the King to the new General, Eugenius, the Captain ensures the Lord that he and the other captains will "execute what [he] command[s]."
EUGENIUS'S GRANDSONS
"Only mentioned." 2 Pageant-maker claims that Artemia will bear "warlike Princes" for the "noble grandsire."
EUGENIUS'S WIFE
A "ghost character." The mother of Guiderius and Artemia, Eugenius reminds his son that he has not seen his mother for years in order to entice him to play the role of Arviragus's messenger rather than accompany the General into battle. Furthermore, after Eugenius joins forces with the King, he claims that he would have brought the Ruler his wife but "a sudden sicknesse hindred."
GOBLINS
"Fictional characters." Adrastus claims that the Witch keeps company with Spirits and Goblins.
GUARD
A "non-speaking character." The Guard "assault[s]" Eugenius and Sinatus as they are "passing downe into the Court" after the King's murder and hands them over, "bound," to Guiderius.
GUIDERIUS
Eugenius's son as well as Arviragus's "Cosen" and "best friend," Guiderius is Philicia's and Arviragus's "go-between" whose motives are questioned by Arviragus at the play's beginning due to his "last nights dream When [he] so oft made mention of th'Princesse." After convincing his friend not to worry where his loyalties lie he assists Arviragus in countering the attack of the murderers, killing Murder 2. After being named as Arviragus's "heire to all [he] can pretend to" and convinced by his friend as well as his father to play the part of Arviragus's messenger and not take part in the battle, Guiderius is brought over by Eugenius to the side of the King who promises to wed Guiderius and Philicia. He is chided for his falseness by Philicia, whose love for Arviragus will not falter, and confesses to her that he "never did, nor ever shall love any [. . .] like Prince Arviragus."
GUIMANTES
The son of the King and one of Arviragus's chief enemies, the Prince works throughout the play to kill Arviragus and gain the favour and power of his father. When the King "grants [him] the title of [. . .] Generall" Guimantes attempts to have Sinatus "put [. . .] to death," and when the Prince is taken prisoner by Arviragus and committed to Sinatus's charge the Lord orders him to disguise himself "in th'habit of one of [Sinatus's] Servants" and "escape to Stamfoard." He is promised in marriage to Artemia by the King as part of his father's strategy to "withdraw Eugenius" from the side of Arviragus and, in part because Eugenius's daughter claims that her love will have "sufficient tryall" and she will not become his wife for one year, he attempts to "ravish" her. When Guimantes discovers that the King has been murdered he is prepared to take action against the "traytors" identified by Adrastus and, although Adrastus identifies himself as the King's killer at the play's end, Guimantes decides to take his advice, breaking the truce that his father has made with Arviragus's army and "charg[ing] th'enemy."
HERALD
A "ghost character." the King informs Adrastus that he has "sent a Herald to desire an enterview with Arviragus" in order to "gaine time till" Adrastus and Cratus "returne" from the Witch's cave.
KING
One of Arviragus's chief enemies throughout the play, the usurping King of Pictland is the father of Philicia and Guimantes. Having had mercy upon Arviragus as a child, bringing him up with his "own sonne and daughter," he has promised the former King of Pictland's son "his fathers principality" if he "return'd victorious from the warre" against "th' Danes" (which Arviragus does without question at the play's beginning). Although he assures Arviragus that he will "make . . .good" on his promise, he conspires with various characters throughout the play (including Adrastus, Sinatus, Guimantes, and Eugenius) to have him killed. The King questions Philicia concerning her brother's hatred of Arviragus, gives Sinatus his "ring, and with it power" to communicate with the "Campe" on his behalf and, hopefully, "confirm the Souldiers loyalties" before Arviragus does, and offers his son the chance to be his "Generall." In order to "withdraw Eugenius" from the side of Arviragus the King offers the "assurance of a double marriage betwixt [their] children" but, suspicious of Philicia's feelings towards his enemy, concocts a test which reveals her love for Arviragus and results in his vow to "inflict" upon her "torments on earth, above the paines of hell." The King sends Adrastus and Cratus to the Witch (whom he trusts due to her previous prophecy that he would conquer the Picts and become King, though "three brothers stood betwixt him, and the throne") in order to learn from her "the issue of the present warre" and "when, and what shall be his end" and, for failing to kill Arviragus, the King brands Eugenius as a "traytor" and means to "strike off his head" until Sinatus speaks for the Lord. The King chooses Philicia to accompany him to his requested "enterview" with Arviragus and agrees to her suggestion that "for three daies. . .a truce be sworne by either side, in which time all may be considered, [and] more maturely weighed." He is murdered by Cratus and Adrastus at the play's end, and Guimantes vows to "revenge" his father's death by breaking the truce and "charg[ing] th'enemy" at the "forfeit" of Adrastus's "head" if he does not "gaine" the battle.
KING'S CAPTAIN
Part of the "prettie policy th'King us'd to know the certainty" of Philicia's feelings towards Arviragus, the Captain delivers news of Arviragus's defeat to the King and his children. When Philicia "swounds," revealing her true affections for Arviragus, she leaves herself open to the future "torments" of her angry father.
KING'S LORD
Announces the arrival of Sinatus to the King at the play's beginning and, later, the arrival of Eugenius.
KING'S MESSENGER
Referred to merely as "one," this character informs the King that Arviragus's army, lead by Eugenius, is "up in armes" and is "a thousand strong." He also claims that "upon the way [he] met Prince Arviragus" and, for not attempting to capture or kill him, he is deemed a traitor by the King who orders that he be "hang[ed]."
LADY
One of Philicia's women, the Lady informs Philicia that Guiderius "desires to kisse [her] hand," advises her of the fact that "the King desires all shud esteeme him," and is sent by her to "bring him in."
LORD, FIRST AND SECOND
Appearing at the play's end, The First Lord informs the Prince that Eugenius and Sinatus "are taken by th'guard" and, later, expresses his confusion over the King's murder. The Second Lord pledges his support for the King and, later in the play, expresses his confusion over the King's murder.
LORDS OF PICTLAND
"Ghost characters," The King claims that (in order "to flatter with the Lords of Pictland") Arviragus was brought up with his "own sonne and daughter" after he had "usurpt" the throne of Arviragus's father.
MURDERER, FIRST AND SECOND
Two servants Who Adrastus hires to kill Arviragus. The First Murderer hopes to become "rich forever" for murdering Arviragus but, instead, is killed by him. The Second Murderer is killed by Guiderius after wounding him "upon [his] hand."
NEIGHBOURING PRINCES
"Ghost characters." the King claims that he "beget[s] feare, and reverence" from "all the neighbour Princes."`
PAGEANT-MAKER, FIRST AND SECOND
The Pageant-makers approach Eugenius concerning the weddings of his son and daughter and are promised "employment in the triumph."
PHILICIA
Arviragus's lover, the daughter of the King of Pictland, and Guimantes's brother, the Princess confesses to her unfaltering love for Arviragus throughout the play although she attempts to hide her affections from her father. She confirms her brother's hatred of Arviragus for the King at the play's beginning and is promised in marriage to Guiderius by her father as part of a plan to "withdraw Eugenius" from Arviragus's side in battle. Suspicious of her feelings for his enemy the King concocts a plan to test Philicia's loyalties, and when her love for Arviragus is made clear he claims that he "shall inflict torments on earth, above the paines of hell" on her. Accompanying the King to an "enterview" with Arviragus and Cleanthes near the play's end Philicia proposes that a "three daies . . . truce be sworne by either side, in which time all may be considered, [and] more maturely weighed," which is agreed to by both parties.
PHILICIA'S LADIES
"Ghost characters." Philicia's "women" are referred to throughout the play as the King questions why "none of [her] maids" are "worthie to keep [her] company" in the Garden and Guiderius explains to Arviragus that Philicia "dares not have [him] in her chamber, least some of her women shud know it."
PRINCE'S CAPTAIN
Claims that "no resistance can bee made" against Arviragus's army and decides that he and his soldiers should "yeeld."
SERVANT
Informs the King that he has found "one dead or asleep" near "th'Garden dore" and that one of Adrastus's servants is also "dead hard by."
SINATUS
A Lord and Arviragus's friend (who is referred to as his "foster-father"), Sinatus chides Adrastus at the play's beginning for his wartime strategies and is charged by the King with organizing the ceremony for Arviragus's homecoming. He advises the King to "hast to the Campe" and "confirm the Souldiers loyalties" before they are recruited by Arviragus and, thus, he is admitted by the King to speak to the army on his behalf. Although Guimantes attempts to have him killed "lest in the Battell he shoud forsake" the King, he set[s] the Prince free when Arviragus commits him (as a "prisoner") to his charge. He speaks for Eugenius when the King means to have him killed, thus saving his life, and is apprehended by guards and falsely identified as one of the King's murderer's by Adrastus (prompting Guimantes to order him "to the Prison" where he claims "torture shall force [he and Eugenius] to confess").
SINATUS'S SERVANT
A "ghost character." Sinatus frees the prisoner Guimantes and advises him to disguise himself "in th'habit of one of [his] Servants" and "escape to Stamfoard."
SOLDIER
A soldier on the King's side, the Souldier informs the General, Guimantes, that "the enemie appears upon the rock" and "tumbles down great stones" which "hath put the Campe in great disorder." Furthermore, he volunteers for the duty of "dispatch[ing] that wretch," Cleanthes, who has surprised the King's army.
SPIES
"Ghost characters." Arviragus informs Philicia (as he "beg[s] [her] licence to depart") that it is "not unlike [he] may bee pierst thorow with a bullet" since "there are spies upon" him.
SPIRITS
"Fictitious characters." Adrastus claims that the Witch keeps company with Spirits and Goblins and, later, fears lying to the King concerning the Witch's prophecies lest she "informe him" of the truth "by a Spirit."
WITCH
"Th'old Beldam" whom Adrastus claims is famous "throughout this Iland," the Witch "foretold [the King's] conquest o're the Picts, and before that, his being King, tho then three brothers stood betwixt him, and the throne." She is approached by Adrastus and Cratus at the King's command near the play's end, and prophesies that he will win the battle against Arviragus but be slain shortly after by Adrastus. Though Adrastus and Cratus desire to "aske some other" questions of her she refuses, causing them to "fly" her "Cave" for their lives."