John Fletcher (revised (possibly by another) in 1620)
WIT WITHOUT MONEY
1614–1620
a synoptic, alphabetical character list
BELLAMORE
One of the Three Suitors to the Widow. None of them distinguishes himself as an individual. While important to the plot development as a group, they are treated in the play almost as a single personality.
FRANCISCO
Brother of Valentine, also referred to occasionally as "Frank" by Valentine. He is intellectual and honorable and lacks Valentine's calculating charisma. Francisco remains loyal to his brother even though Valentine has used up Francisco's money as well as his own. With Lance, Francisco confronts Valentine and asks for money, becoming impatient with him when Valentine has no money and claims neither he nor Francisco needs any. After accepting the money offered by Isabel, through Shorthose, he finds her attractive when he meets her and thanks her for the money.
FRANK
Francisco nickname used by his brother, Valentine.
FOUNTAIN
One of the Three Suitors to the Widow. None of them distinguishes himself as an individual. While important to the plot development as a group, they are treated in the play almost as a single personality.
HAIRBRAIN
One of the Three Suitors to the Widow. None of them distinguishes himself as an individual. While important to the plot development as a group, they are treated in the play almost as a single personality.
HARTWELL, LADY
Always referred to as the Widow in the play.
HUMPHREY
Along with Ralph and Roger, Humphrey helps the sisters Isabel and Widow to pack to go into the country. They are all unhappy that they have to go along, and will miss the tavern and the girls there.
ISABEL
Sister of Widow, jealous of her sister's many suitors. Falls in love with Francisco when she first sees him talking to Lance, sends Shorthose to give him money for good clothes–in order to meet him, though she denies this. Angry with Luce for telling Widow about her interest in Francisco, she is also angry with Widow for interfering. She encourages the three suitors to pursue Widow aggressively, knowing it will annoy her.
LANCE
Old servant to Valentine's father. He is sympathetic to Francisco and accompanies him to Widow's home to thank her. He is contemptuous of Valentine's refusal to accept the responsibilities of being a wealthy landowner. With Tenants he berates Valentine for his neglect of his servants and tenants. He plots with Uncle to get suitors to remove their support and encourage Valentine to return to his estate.
LOVEGOOD, MASTER
Always referred to as Uncle in the play. He is the uncle of Valentine and Francisco. He has inherited the responsibility for them from his deceased brother.
LUCE
Lady-in-Waiting to the Widow. She consoles Isabel, tells Widow about Isabel's feelings for Francisco and is with Isabel as she encourages the suitors to pursue the Widow. She is distressed by getting caught between the sisters in their rivalry.
MERCHANT
Friend to Uncle. He commiserates with Uncle as he bemoans the irresponsibility of his nephew Valentine and plots with Uncle to get Valentine and the rich Widow together.
OLIVER
A "ghost character." Widow's servant. Named when she calls him, but he has no lines, no action, and does not appear on stage.
RALPH
Along with Roger and Humphrey, he helps the sisters Isabel and Widow to pack to go into the country, but they are unhappy that they have to go along and will miss the tavern and the girls there.
ROGER
Two Rogers figure in the play.
The first is a servant to Widow. He presents the three suitors to Widow after Isabel has told him that she likes them. Along with Ralph and Humphrey, Roger helps the sisters Isabel and Widow to pack to go into the country, but they are unhappy that they have to go along and will miss the tavern and the girls there. Not the same as Roger the ghost character supposed to be a secret lover of Luce.
The second is a "ghost character." He is not the Roger who is a servant to the Widow but rather a butcher referred to by Isabel as Luce's secret lover.
SHORTHOSE
Clown, servant to Widow. He is the intermediary for Widow and Isabel in their love affairs. Also a tavern-companion of the Widow's servants, Roger, Harebrain, and Humphrey. Isabel sends him to Francisco with money.
SUITORS, THREE
Spelled Sutors in the play. Fountain, Bellamore and Hairbrain. None of them distinguishes himself as an individual. While important to the plot development as a group, they are treated in the play almost as a single personality. Companions and benefactors of Valentine, they become suitors to the Widow when Isabel eggs them on. They enlist Valentine in helping them in their suit, but they later reject him and take back the clothes that they have given him after they realize that he has obtained the Widow's affections for himself, and that he has been using them as fools.
TENANTS, THREE
The three Tenants have taken good care of Valentine's father's estate for years. They are now angry and upset with Valentine for treating them badly and not caring how his irresponsible behavior affects them. They are dependent on the landowner for their livelihood.
UNCLE
Named Master Lovegood, he is always referred to in the play as "Uncle". He is the uncle of Valentine and Francisco. Uncle is distressed by Valentine's lack of interest in running his inherited estate, yet he is indulgent and endures Valentine's disrespect. He plots with Lance and Merchant first to undermine the support Valentine receives from the suitors, then later to encourage his interest in the rich Widow, and to advance her interest in him.
VALENTINE
Valentine is the elder brother of Francisco. He inherited his father's estate but has used up all his money in prodigal living. He thinks running an estate is too much bother and the world owes him a living. He thinks that if a person has wit he doesn't need money. Valentine uses his charisma to get money, clothes, horses, and the like from his admirers, which include the Widow's three suitors, Bellamore, Fountain, and Hairbrain. Valentine is contemptuous of his Uncle's concern for his estate, the ethics of landowners, and people who are motivated by money. He is uninterested in marriage, and unfeeling towards the Tenants he has displaced by neglecting his estate. While talking to the rich Widow on behalf of the three suitors, Valentine falls in love with her himself. When the three suitors grow angry with him and take back the clothes they have given him, Valentine remains arrogant and defiant, yet admits to himself when alone that he has a need–which is immediately satisfied by an anonymous gift of clothes and money from the Widow. Valentine ultimately succeeds in his attempt to live by his wits and other people's money.
WALTER
Servant of Isabel and Widow. He helps them pack for the country. He has one short line spoken from offstage.
WIDOW
Lady Hartwell in the dramatis personae, always referred to as "the Widow" in the play. She is attractive and rich and annoyed by the three suitors' attentions. She disapproves of Francisco as a match for her sister Isabel, and is overprotective and meddling in Isabel's pursuit of Francisco. She shows her spirit and intelligence when she meets Valentine, refuses to become angry with him and answers his jibes by saying that men always take advantage of women. She grows attracted to him when he begins to compliment her.