THE JEALOUS LOVERS

20 March 1632

a synoptic, alphabetical character list

ABOHALI
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

ALBUAS
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

ALBUBETES
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

ARCAPHAN
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

ASLA
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

ASOTUS
Simo's prodigal son. He is led by his licentious tutor Ballio. When he fails to win Evadne's favor, Asotus steals her earring and uses it to convince Tyndarus that he has bedded Evadne. He and the brokenhearted Tyndarus agree to form an alliance and turn libertine. When Asotus discovers that Ballio is a villain, however, he repents and confesses stealing Evadne's earring. As punishment, he and Ballio are made to cudgel one another. Later, he carouses in Ballio's house with Phryne, Hyperbolus, Thrasymachus, Bomolocus, and Charylus while Simo spies on him in secret. He impersonates Mars, but when he returns again impersonating Oberon he finds his father Simo kissing Phryne. He shames the old man and announces his plans to marry Phryne the next day. He agrees to help spread the rumor that Tyndarus and Techmessa have committed suicide. He is impressed by Demetrius, who is disguised as an astrologer, and invites him to join his coterie of roarers. He marries Phryne, asks Tyndarus to pardon Ballio, and invites everyone to his wedding feast.

ASTROLOGER
Although this might be Demetrius again, in the Epilogue Asotus confers with a character called only "Astrologer" in the stage direction and speech heading. In the rest of the play, Demetrius is called by his name in both places even when he is disguised as an astrologer.

BALLIO
A pander and Asotus' tutor. He instructs Asotus in all disciplines from alchemy to wooing. He is employed by Dipsas to stoke the fires of jealousy in Tyndarus and Techmessa and cross the two sets of lovers. He steals Pamphilus' sword from Paegnium in order to convince Techmessa that her lover would rather give up his sword than defend her honor. He also affirms to Tyndarus, untruthfully, that Asotus has slept with Evadne. Paegnium arrives with officers, however, to arrest him for the theft of the sword, and Ballio is forced to confess his misdeeds. As a punishment, Asotus and he are made to cudgel one another. He later hides Simo where he can watch Asotus carouse and then takes a bribe to get Asotus out of the room while Simo attempts to seduce Phryne. He agrees to help spread the rumor that Tyndarus and Techmessa have committed suicide, but in reality he tries to get the Sexton to bury them alive so he can inherit Tyndarus' estate. Unbeknownst to Ballio, however, the "Sexton" he enlists is really Tyndarus in disguise. When he discovers this, he runs away. At play's end he returns repentant with a halter around his neck. Asotus asks Tyndarus to forgive him as a wedding present, and Ballio goes free.

BARUCH
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

BEN
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

BENESAPHAN
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

BOMOLOCHUS
A poet. A member of Asotus' roaring coterie. At Ballio's house he invents pretty praises for the courtesan Phryne, and Asotus crowns him with wine and laurels. He momentarily switches allegiance when Simo intercedes to seduce Phryne but returns to Asotus when Simo retreats. Later, he helps spread the false rumor of Tyndarus and Techmessa's suicide.

CAUCAPH
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

CHARYLUS
A poet. A member of Asotus' roaring coterie. At Ballio's house he invents pretty praises for the courtesan Phryne, and Asotus crowns him with wine and laurels. He momentarily switches allegiance when Simo intercedes to seduce Phryne but returns to Asotus when Simo retreats. Later, he helps spread the false rumor of Tyndarus and Techmessa's suicide.

CHREMYLUS
An old man. He is Techmessa's father, Pamphilus' unknown father, and Evadne's supposed father. He angered his wife Dipsas when he brought Evadne to live with them. He intercedes in time to prevent Tyndarus killing Pamphilus in a jealous rage. He is present at the final act's wedding where he greets his old friend Demetrius and is reunited with his son Timarchus (Pamphilus).

CLINIAS
Tyndarus' real name. Demetrius reveals at the wedding near play's end that Tyndarus is Evadne's brother Clinias, and both are Demetrius' children.

DEMETRIUS
Tyndarus' father, Evadne's unknown father, and Pamphilus' supposed father. Although the dramatis personae refers to him as "an Athenian," he is actually a Theban who fled to Athens and is now returning again. He fled Thebes with the two baby boys in order to escape Minos' "cruel tribute . . . to glut his ravenous minotaur." Now he must return disguised because the other parents resent him. He comes as an astrologer and is hired into Asotus' coterie. He is called to the wedding in the final act and is able to reveal the truth. Tyndarus is in reality his son Clinias and Evadne's brother. Pamphilus is in reality Chremylus' son Timarchus and Techmessa's brother. Demetrius exchanged his daughter, Evadne, for Chremylus' son, Timarchus, and fled with both boys, renaming them Tyndarus and Pamphilus, to save them from the minotaur.

DIPSAS
Chremylus' wife, Techmessa's mother, Pamphilus' unknown mother, and Evadne's supposed mother. She employs Ballio to thwart the courtships of both Evadne and Techmessa but will not tell why she crosses her daughters in their love. When it is discovered that Tyndarus has attempted to kill Pamphilus in a foolish, jealous rage, Dipsas tells Tyndarus that she has tried to drive the lovers apart because she actually lusts after Tyndarus herself. She now claims that she has repented and bids Tyndarus to meet Evadne at Ballio's house. She then bribes Ballio to fill up his house with debauched roarers for the meeting. Learning that Tyndarus and Techmessa have committed suicide, Dipsas goes to their coffins intent on swallowing poison. She confesses that she was motivated out of hatred of Evadne, whom Chremylus gave to her as a stepdaughter and made her jealous for Techmessa. Tyndarus and Techmessa prevent her suicide and reveal themselves. Dipsas is present at the wedding in the final act, but she says nothing.

EVADNE
Supposed daughter of Chremylus and beloved of the jealous Tyndarus. Although she is courted by many, she is chaste and rejects Asotus' wooing of her. Asotus steals her diamond earring and uses it to convince Tyndarus that she has been unfaithful with him, but Asotus quickly repents and tells the truth. Evadne agrees to test Pamphilus' faith for Techmessa not realizing that he has been sent by Tyndarus to test her own. Their tryst escalates as each tests how far the other will go while Techmessa watches in secret. The truth is shortly after revealed. She innocently goes to Ballio'' house where a disguised Tyndarus must rescue her from Asotus and his roaring followers. When the disguised Tyndarus pretends to ravish her, she draws his stiletto and promises to kill herself first. This proves to him (momentarily) that she is chaste. However, when Pamphilus shows up looking for Techmessa, Tyndarus believes that he is there to meet Evadne. Tyndarus leaves, and Pamphilus must lead Evadne from the bawdyhouse. Believing that Tyndarus has committed suicide, Evadne offers to kill herself over his coffin, but the disguised Tyndarus prevents her. Upon discovering that Tyndarus is really her brother Clinias, she marries Pamphilus (who is in reality Timarchus).

GASAR
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

HALI
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

HIPPOCRAS
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

HYPERBOLUS
A soldier. A member of Asotus' roaring coterie. At Ballio's house he promises to defend the courtesan Phryne's reputation against all detractors. He momentarily switches allegiance when Simo intercedes to seduce Phryne but returns to Asotus when Simo retreats. Later, he helps spread the false rumor of Tyndarus and Techmessa's suicide.

JOAN
A "ghost character." The Sexton says death "makes no distinction betwixt Joan and my lady." Death destroys each.

LALAGE
A "ghost character." Possibly Demetrius' late wife and mother of Tyndarus and Evadne and supposed mother of Pamphilus.

LENCUO
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

MAB
An informal disguise, or persona, or impersonation that Asotus proposes to bestow upon Phryne while roaring at Ballio's house.

MARS
An informal disguise, or persona, or impersonation adopted in jest by Asotus while roaring at Ballio's house with Phryne, Hyperbolus, Thrasymachus, Bomolochus, and Charylus.

MEDEA
Only mentioned. Ballio says, had he Medea's charms, he would make Simo young again.

MINOS
A "ghost character." Demetrius fled Thebes to save the two baby boys from Minos' tribute to the minotaur.

MINOTAUR
A "ghost character." Demetrius fled Thebes to save the two baby boys from Minos' tribute to the minotaur.

NESSUS
Only mentioned. Tyndarus likens his love to the "viperous shirt of Nessus" that "cleaves to my skin, and eats away my flesh." It was such a shirt, soaked in the blood of the centaur Nessus, that so killed Hercules.

OBERON
An informal disguise, or persona, or impersonation adopted in jest by Asotus. Ballio suggests that, for variety, Asotus should cease roaring in the guise of Mars and become Oberon, King of the Fairies, instead. In fact this is a ruse to get Asotus out of the room while his father, Simo, attempts to seduce Phryne.

OFFICER, FIRST and SECOND
Summoned by Paegnium to arrest Ballio for the theft of Pamphilus' sword.

PAEGNIUM
Pamphilus' page. He brings love letters from his master to Techmessa. He is confused when she accepts them with joy but swears never to read them, He discovers that Ballio has stolen his master's sword, which Paegnium carries, and realizes that the old pander is attempting to drive a wedge between the lovers. He is first to suspect that Dipsas has hired Ballio in this task and proposes to confound the old pander's plot. He returns with officers to arrest Ballio for the theft.

PAMPHILUS
Supposed son of Demetrius but actually Chremylus' son. He is beloved of the jealous Techmessa. After Techmessa is deceived into believing that he has given up his sword rather than defend her honor, she calls in Phronesium to shame him. When it is discovered that Ballio stole the sword, he and Techmessa are reconciled. He agrees to test Evadne's faith for his brother Tyndarus not knowing that Evadne is also sent to test his faith to Techmessa. While he and Evadne test one another, escalating their romantic tryst to see how far the other will go, Techmessa watches in secret. The truth is shortly revealed, and they are again reconciled. Later, he comes looking for Techmessa in Ballio's house, finds and removes the wronged Evadne, and thus raises Tyndarus' jealousy anew. Believing that Techmessa has committed suicide, Pamphilus goes to her coffin and attempts suicide but is prevented by the disguised Techmessa. As he tries to marry Techmessa, the statue of Hymen turns its back on their nuptials. Demetrius arrives to reveal that Pamphilus is in reality Timarchus, Techmessa's brother, and so Pamphilus marries Evadne instead.

PEPPERCORN, SIR
An informal disguise, or persona, or impersonation that Asotus proposes to bestow upon Charylus while roaring at Ballio's house.

PHRONESIUM
A "merry chambermaid." At Techmessa's call, she comes to abuse Pamphilus for giving up his sword rather than using it to defend Techmessa's honor. At the wedding, she claims Asotus for her own for no apparent reason and agrees to take Simo instead. As a condition to marrying Simo, she demands to have all the gallants, freedom, and riches she desires, and her elderly intended agrees.

PHRYNE
A courtesan and Asotus' mistress. She carouses with Asotus, impersonating Venus to his Mars, while Hyperbolus and Thrasymachus vow to defend her honor and Bomolochus and Charylus praise her beauty. When Simo lusts after her, she entices him for his money until Asotus returns to shame the old man away. Simo gives her one half of his estate in jointure for her marriage to Asotus. At play's end she marries Asotus.

PIGWIGGIN
An informal disguise, or persona, or impersonation that Asotus proposes to bestow upon Bomolochus while roaring at Ballio's house.

POET, PLAY-HOUSE
A "ghost character." Only in passing, Asotus tells his poets, Bomolochus and Charylus, that they will work no "journey-work under some play-house poet, that deals in wit by retail."

PRIEST
He comes to conduct the various marriages in the final act. He is surprised when the statue of Hymen first turns its back on the wedding of Tyndarus and Evadne and immediately after on that of Pamphilus and Techmessa. He discovers that Hymen approves the union instead of Pamphilus and Evadne. When the final discoveries are made and everyone's true identities revealed, the Priest unites Evadne with Pamphilus (Timarchus) and Techmessa with Clinias (Tyndarus). He next joins Simo and Phronesium and finally Asotus and Phryne.

ROBIN GOODFELLOW
An informal disguise, or persona, or impersonation that Asotus proposes to bestow upon Thrasymachus while roaring at Ballio's house.

SEXTON
He arrives to bury the "suicides" Tyndarus and Techmessa. He engages Asotus in bantering gallows humor reminiscent of Hamlet's gravediggers. He calls his wife, Staphyla, to come help rob the "corpses" of their clothes. When Tyndarus and Techmessa rise from their coffins, however, he faints and is placed in Tyndarus' coffin. Much later, he speaks from the coffin, forbidding the banns of Asotus and Phryne. Tyndarus, however, reminds him of his attempted robbery of the "corpses" and the Sexton relents, vowing in future only to rob the living.

SIMO
Doting father of Asotus. He has wasted himself by storing up wealth for his son. He now delights in watching his boy's intemperance. He bribes Ballio to hide him where he may watch Asotus carouse. While watching Asotus with Phryne, Simo lusts after the courtesan and bribes Ballio to get Asotus out of the room so he might seduce her himself. Asotus returns to find them together and rebukes Simo. Simo is shamed and promises to give Phryne half his estate as jointure in her marriage to Asotus. At the final act wedding, Simo joyfully agrees to marry Phronesium and allow her, as condition to the marriage, to have all the gallants and riches and freedom she desires.

STAPHYLA
The Sexton's wife. She has had a dream that while they were robbing corpses of their possessions, the corpses robbed them. When Tyndarus and Techmessa rise from their coffins, she faints and is placed in Techmessa's coffin. Much later, she speaks from the coffin, forbidding the banns of Asotus and Phryne.

TECHMESSA
One of the title characters. Chremylus and Dipsas' daughter. She is jealous of Pamphilus' love and vacillates between believing in his constancy and doubting it. Ballio tells her that Pamphilus prefers any woman in Thebes over her. She makes Ballio prove his accusations by making Pamphilus give up his sword rather than defend her honor. Paegnium comes from Pamphilus with love letters for Techmessa. She takes the letters gladly but sends word that she will not read them. Ballio then produces Pamphilus' sword, which he actually stole from Paegnium, and swears that Pamphilus dispraised her grievously. When Pamphilus arrives, Techmessa has her maid Phronesium humiliate him. When it is revealed that Ballio stole the sword, they are momentarily reconciled. Still uncertain of him, Techmessa sends Evadne to test Pamphilus for her while she watches in secret. She does not realize that Pamphilus has been sent by Tyndarus to test Evadne, and she is outraged when the two embrace and kiss passionately. She rejects her sister as treacherous and tells Tyndarus of the tryst. The truth of the test, however, is shortly revealed. Later, she and Tyndarus agree to pretend to commit suicide. She is taken to the church in a coffin and rises only when the Sexton's wife, Staphyla, tries to rob her "corpse." When Staphyla faints, Techmessa disguises herself as Staphyla and puts the Sexton's wife in the coffin. She witnesses Pamphilus' attempted suicide over her coffin and (still in disguise) prevent him. She does not reveal herself until after Tyndarus also prevents first Evadne's and then Dipsas' suicides. Upon learning that Pamphilus is in reality her brother Timarchus, Techmessa marries Tyndarus instead (who is in reality Clinias).

THRASYMACHUS
A soldier. A member of Asotus' roaring coterie. At Ballio's house he promises to defend the courtesan Phryne's reputation against all detractors. He momentarily switches allegiance when Simo intercedes to seduce Phryne but returns to Asotus when Simo retreats. Later, he helps spread the false rumor of Tyndarus and Techmessa's suicide.

TIMARCHUS
Pamphilus' real name. Demetrius reveals at the wedding near play's end that Pamphilus is Techmessa's brother Timarchus, and both are Chremylus' children.

TOZ
Only mentioned. Demetrius, disguised as an astrologer, rattles off a list of "the learned Cabalists and all the Chaldees." The list includes Asla, Baruch, Abohali, Caucaph, Toz, Arcaphan, Albuas, Gasar, Hali, Hippocras, Lencuo, Ben, Benesaphan, and Albubetes.

TYNDARUS
One of the two title characters. He is Demetrius' son and the supposed brother of Pamphilus. He is jealously enamoured of Evadne. He vacillates between trusting her virtue and suspecting it throughout the play. When Asotus shows him her stolen earring and claims to have bedded her, Tyndarus believes him, and they form an alliance to turn libertine. When Asotus repents and admits to having stolen the earring, Tyndarus and Evadne are reconciled. Still uncertain of her, Tyndarus sends his brother Pamphilus to tempt and test her faith. Techmessa witnesses Pamphilus and Evadne's mutual testing of one another and tells Tyndarus that both are false upon which news Tyndarus rejects Pamphilus as a treacherous brother. He is on the point of killing Pamphilus when Chremylus intervenes to prevent him. The truth of the testing is revealed, and it is further revealed that Dipsas is behind it all. She tells Tyndarus that she lusted after him herself but now repents and sends Tyndarus to meet Evadne at Ballio's house. Tyndarus is suspicious of her motivations, however, and goes in disguise. When he first sees Evadne in the bawdyhouse, Tyndarus again suspects her virtue, but he soon recognizes her danger and rescues her. Still disguised, he pretends to make a ravishment of her, but when she threatens to kill herself, his doubts in her are again for the moment quelled. But when Pamphilus arrives, Tyndarus concludes that this was to be their trysting place and that Evadne had seen through his disguise and only pretended virginal modesty. In a jealous rage, he leaves her there. He finally goes to Techmessa and agrees with her to test their lovers by pretending suicide. He bribes Asotus and Ballio to spread the rumor of their deaths. He and Techmessa are brought in coffins to the church, and he rises out of it only when the Sexton is about to rob his "corpse." When the Sexton faints, he disguises as the Sexton and places him in the coffin. As the Sexton, he learns that Ballio intends to have him buried indeed in order to inherit his estate. He next witnesses Evadne attempt suicide over his coffin and (still disguised) prevents her. He also prevents Dipsas' suicide before revealing himself to them. He goes to wed Evadne but is again made to suspect her virtue when the statue of Hymen turns its back to their nuptials. Demetrius appears and reveals that Tyndarus is in reality Clinias, Evadne's brother, and so he marries Techmessa instead. He realizes that all of his jealousies were Nature's way of preventing his incestuous marriage to Evadne. When the Sexton and Staphyla speak from the coffins, forbidding the banns between Asotus and Phryne, Tyndarus reminds them of how they attempted to rob his "corpse" and forces them to drop their objections to the marriage. His final act is to pardon Ballio and accept Asotus' invitation to his wedding feast.

VENUS
An informal disguise, or persona, or impersonation adopted in jest by Phryne while roaring at Ballio's house with Asotus, Hyperbolus, Thrasymachus, Bomolochus, and Charylus.

WILL–WITH–A–WISP
An informal disguise, or persona, or impersonation that Asotus proposes to bestow upon Hyperbolus while roaring at Ballio's house.

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