Minor Characters
Lucio
A friend of Claudio's whose over-the-top behavior symbolizes the more indulgent aspects of Viennese society. He works to convince Isabella that aiding her brother is the right choice.
Mariana
A one-time fiancée of Angelo's, whom he abandoned after her dowry was lost in a shipwreck. Mariana helps Isabella and the Duke's plot to free Claudio by seducing Angelo while pretending to be Isabella.
Escalus
A virtuous nobleman who repeatedly counsels Angelo against acting unjustly or too harshly, and to think of one's own sins when meting out justice.
Juliet
The woman whom Claudio impregnates.
Mistress Overdone
The madame of a Viennese brothel.
Pompey
A quick-witted "bawd" employed by Mistress Overdone, who is skeptical of any attempt to enact laws that will eliminate prostitution.
The Provost
The warden of the prison who, at the disguised Duke's behest, disobeys Angelo's orders to behead Claudio and instead presents the head of a dead pirate.
Barnadine
An irritable, lazy, drunken prisoner, sentenced to die the same day as Claudio. His laziness is so great that he refuses even to appear for his own execution, and as such the authorities give up on trying to execute him.
Friar Lodowick
The alter ego the Duke adopts by disguising himself as a friar.
Friar Thomas and Friar Peter
Two friars who help the Duke craft his disguise.
Abhorson
The prison executioner. He looks down on Pompey for being a pimp, thinking his own profession is better
.