The Scarlet Pimpernel Character Analysis

The Scarlet Pimpernel / Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart. / The Hag / The Jew

Lady Blakeney’s husband and the protagonist of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Sir Percy is a baronet in the British aristocracy and is “the richest man in England.” He is like every other Blakeney who… read analysis of The Scarlet Pimpernel / Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart. / The Hag / The Jew

Marguerite St. Just / Lady Blakeney

Sir Percy’s wife and Armand St. Just’s sister. Like her brother, Marguerite is an “ardent republican” and “equality of birth” is her motto. She is exceedingly beautiful and bright, and as a single… read analysis of Marguerite St. Just / Lady Blakeney

Chauvelin

An “accredited agent” of the French Republic and the antagonist of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Orczy refers to many of the citizens of the French Republic as near animals who are “human only in name,”… read analysis of Chauvelin

Armand St. Just

Marguerite’s brother and a citizen of the French Republic. Armand and Marguerite are exceedingly close. Their parents died when the siblings were just children, and they were left to raise each other. Armand lives… read analysis of Armand St. Just

Sir Andrew Ffoulkes

A member of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel and a baronet of the British monarchy. Like the other Englishmen in The Scarlet Pimpernel, especially those of noble birth, Orczy portrays Sir Andrew as… read analysis of Sir Andrew Ffoulkes

Mr. Jellyband

The owner of “The Fisherman’s Rest” and Sally’s father. Mr. Jellyband is described as a “worthy” and “honest” host, and his inn is comfortable and inviting. Orczy describes Jellyband as a “typical rural John… read analysis of Mr. Jellyband

Lady Portarles

A member of British high society. Lady Portarles refers to the French revolutionists as “bloodthirsty ruffians” and is obviously opposed to the republic; however, she tells the Comtesse de Tournay she is “acting like a… read analysis of Lady Portarles

The Marquis de St. Cyr

A member of the French aristocracy. Before the French Revolution, the Marquis had Armand St. Just beaten “like a dog within an inch of his life” because Armand, a “plebian,” had “dared to love” the… read analysis of The Marquis de St. Cyr

Desgas

Chauvelin’s right-hand man and member of the French guard. Desgas is responsible for relaying Chauvelin’s orders to the other men down the line and does so with precision, but he still serves as a… read analysis of Desgas

Sergeant Bibot

A sergeant in the French guard. Bibot criticizes another guard, Grospierre, for his “foolishness” in allowing the Scarlet Pimpernel to escape Paris with a family of aristocrats and is determined not to be tricked… read analysis of Sergeant Bibot

Brogard

The landlord of the “Chat Gris,” an inn in France and official meeting place of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Brogard is a dirty and unpleasant man, and his inn is described as… read analysis of Brogard

The Vicomte de Tournay

The son of the Comte and Comtesse de Tournay and brother to Suzanne. The Vicomte is rescued by the Scarlet Pimpernel and brought to England to escape execution during the Reign of Terror. He… read analysis of The Vicomte de Tournay

Lord Anthony Dewhurst

A member of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Lord Anthony is the son of a duke and is described as “a very perfect type of a young English gentleman.” He is handsome and… read analysis of Lord Anthony Dewhurst

Mr. Hempseed

A patron of “The Fisherman’s Rest” and the “political foil” of Mr. Jellyband. Mr. Hempseed is described as educated and respected, especially for his knowledge of scripture, and he cares very little about the… read analysis of Mr. Hempseed

The Comtesse de Tournay

The wife of the Comte de Tournay and mother to the Vicomte and Suzanne. The Comtesse and her children escape the Reign of Terror with the help of the Scarlet Pimpernel and are brought… read analysis of The Comtesse de Tournay

Suzanne de Tournay

The daughter of the Comte and Comtesse de Tournay and sister to the Vicomte. Suzanne and Marguerite St. Just are old friends from school, and Suzanne still cares for her despite Marguerite’s involvement in… read analysis of Suzanne de Tournay

The Prince of Wales

The heir apparent to the British throne and close friend of Sir Percy and Lady Blakeney. Although Orczy doesn’t explicitly say it, she implies that the Prince of Wales knows about Sir Percy’s secret… read analysis of The Prince of Wales

Lord Grenville

The head of the Secretary of State in England. Lord Grenville wishes he could “turn his back” on Chauvelin, an “accredited agent” of France, but diplomacy dictates otherwise, and Lord Grenville is forced to… read analysis of Lord Grenville

Grospierre

A member of the French guard. Grospierre is described as “clever” but is easily tricked by the Scarlet Pimpernel, who manages to sneak by Grospierre with several condemned aristocrats dressed as a captain of… read analysis of Grospierre

Reuben Goldstein

A Jewish man in the town of Calais. Sir Percy pays Reuben Goldstein for use of his horse and cart, and then pays him extra to make himself scarce, which enables Sir Percy, also known… read analysis of Reuben Goldstein

The Comte de Tournay de Basserive

The Comtesse de Tournay’s husband and father to the Vicomte and Suzanne. Very little is known about the Comte other than he is an aristocrat and has been sentenced to die by the… read analysis of The Comte de Tournay de Basserive

Minor Characters

Sally

Mr. Jellyband’s daughter. Sally is beautiful and pleasant, and she works for her father at “The Fisherman’s Rest.” Sally will one day inherit her father’s inn, and like Mr. Jellyband, she is the personification of British warmth and hospitality.