Rhinoceros Character Analysis

Berenger

The play’s protagonist. Berenger is a morose and depressed alcoholic who can barely hold down his job and can’t show up anywhere on time. While he understands on some level that these habits are bad—he… read analysis of Berenger

Jean

Berenger’s best friend. Jean is the exact opposite of Berenger: he’s well dressed, polished, cultured, and intellectual. He takes special issue with Berenger’s alcoholism and so takes it upon himself to get Berenger to… read analysis of Jean

Daisy

The attractive young receptionist at Berenger’s workplace and the object of his affection. Daisy first appears outside the café where Berenger and Jean meet. It’s clear to Jean that Berenger admires Daisy, so he… read analysis of Daisy

Botard

One of Berenger’s coworkers. Botard is in his 60s and is a former schoolteacher. He’s contrary and antagonistic; he seems to enjoy taking the opposite stance of his coworkers and insists that he does… read analysis of Botard

Dudard

Berenger’s friend and coworker. Dudard is a handsome and successful young man who, according to everyone, has a future ahead of him if he continues at the law publication office where he and Berenger… read analysis of Dudard

The Logician

A man who makes his living as a logician. He visits the café with his friend the Old Gentleman at the same time as Berenger and Jean are there. The Logician wears a distinctive boater… read analysis of The Logician

Mr. Papillon

Berenger’s boss at the law publication office. He’s in his 40s, is well dressed, and is a very proper man. His offense when Botard insults religion as being an “opiate of the masses” suggests… read analysis of Mr. Papillon

The Old Gentleman

An elderly man and a friend of the Logician. He and the Logician are at the café at the same time as Berenger and Jean are when the play begins. The Old Gentleman functions… read analysis of The Old Gentleman

The Grocer

A grocer whose grocery store is next to the café where Jean and Berenger meet. He’s prickly because the Housewife is buying groceries elsewhere and gets very caught up in the arbitrary argument over whether… read analysis of The Grocer

Minor Characters

The Housewife

A married woman who, when the play begins, is out shopping with her cat. For unknown reasons, she switches grocery stores, irritating the Grocer and the Grocer’s Wife. Her groceries are the first casualty of the rhinoceros and her beloved cat is the second.

The Waitress

A kind waitress who works at the café. She gets caught up in the anxiety about the rhinoceroses and the ensuing argument about what kind of rhinoceroses they were and how many horns they had.

Mr. Bœuf

A coworker of Berenger’s who only appears as a rhinoceros. Despite being a rhinoceros, he’s still very in love with Mrs. Bœuf and encourages her to join him after destroying his workplace’s staircase.

Mrs. Bœuf

Mr. Bœuf’s wife. Though she’s initially afraid when a rhinoceros chases her to Mr. Bœuf’s workplace, she discovers that the rhinoceros is her husband and leaps down to join him.

The Grocer’s Wife

The Grocer’s Wife helps her husband in their grocery store.

The Proprietor

The man who owns the café in the town square.

Rhinoceros

Eugene Ionesco

Rhinoceros Characters