The Rape of the Lock Character Analysis

Belinda

The protagonist of the poem, Belinda is a wealthy and beautiful young woman who travels to Hampton Court for a day of socializing and leisure. Her remarkable beauty attracts the attention of the Baron… read analysis of Belinda

Ariel

Belinda’s guardian sylph. At the opening of the narrative, he explains to Belinda through a dream that he is tasked with protecting her beauty and chastity. He feels that some great disaster is… read analysis of Ariel

The Baron

The antagonist of the poem. Based on the historical Lord Petre, the Baron snips of Belinda’s lock on account of his infatuation with her remarkable beauty and refuses to give it back. Readers learn… read analysis of The Baron

Thalestris

A courtly lady who befriends Belinda, and laments the loss of the lock with her. Like Belinda, she is subject to the “Sighs, sobs, and passions” dumped out of Umbriel’s bag, which prompts… read analysis of Thalestris

Umbriel

An earthly gnome who delights in wreaking havoc. He descends to the Cave of Spleen to collect a bag of “Sighs, sobs and passions,” which he dumps over Belinda and Thalestris, and vial of… read analysis of Umbriel

The Queen of Spleen

Queen of the subterranean Cave of Spleen. A personification of the concept of spleen itself, she bestows hysteria, melancholy, and bodily disfunction on women. She provides Umbriel with a bag of “Sighs, sobs and… read analysis of The Queen of Spleen

Clarissa

A lady at court who lends the Baron her scissors to chop off Belinda’s lock of hair. She later finds the whole incident frustratingly trivial and delivers a speech about how physical beauty is… read analysis of Clarissa

Minor Characters

Sir Plume

Thalestris’s suitor, who intervenes on the part of the ladies and confronts the Baron, asking him to return Belinda’s lock. Critics have connected him with the historical Sir George Brown, a friend of Pope’s.

Zephyretta

The sylph in charge of guarding Belinda’s fan. Her name is a pun on the word zephyr, or “soft breeze,” appropriate for a fan which itself creates a breeze.

Brillante

The sylph in charge of guarding Belinda’s earrings. Her name is a pun on the word brilliant, meaning “shining brightly,” which is appropriate for some sparkling earrings.

Momentilla

The sylph in charge of guarding Belinda’s watch. Her name is a pun on the word moment, which appropriate for the watch as a means of measuring time.

Crispissa

The sylph in charge of guarding Belinda’s hair. Her name is a pun on the old-fashioned word crisp, meaning “curl,” and thus is fitting given that her task is to guard Belinda’s lock.

Betty

Belinda’s maid.

Shock

Belinda’s lapdog.

Caryl

Pope’s friend John Caryll, who first related to Pope the real incident between Arabella Fermor and Lord Petre.