The Way of the World : Characters

Characters

Mirabell: Mirabell is a young and smart man. He is genuinely in love with Millamant. He is clever, polite, and full of wit. He uses a plan to win Millamant and defeat the evil characters in the play.

Millamant: Millamant is a beautiful and fashionable young lady. She is Lady Wishfort’s niece and lives with her. She loves Mirabell and wants to marry him, but only with freedom and respect. She is witty, proud, and modern in her thoughts.

Mr. Fainall: Fainall is Mirabell’s enemy. He married Mrs. Fainall only for her money. He is having a secret affair with Mrs. Marwood. In the play, he tries to steal the property of Millamant and Lady Wishfort.

Mrs. Fainall: Mrs. Fainall is Fainall’s wife and Lady Wishfort’s daughter. She was once in love with Mirabell before her marriage. She is clever and supports Mirabell in his plan. She also wants to protect her money from her husband.

Mrs. Marwood: Mrs. Marwood is a secret lover of Mr. Fainall. She once loved Mirabell, but he did not love her back. Out of jealousy, she tells Lady Wishfort about Mirabell’s plan. She is a clever but dangerous woman.

Lady Wishfort: Lady Wishfort is Millamant’s guardian and Mrs. Fainall’s mother. She is about fifty-five years old and tries to look young and attractive. She falls in love with Mirabell and later with “Sir Rowland.” 

Sir Wilfull Witwoud: Sir Wilfull is Lady Wishfort’s nephew. He is a kind but simple man who speaks in a loud, unpolished manner. Lady Wishfort wants him to marry Millamant, but she rejects him politely. He later agrees and goes on a tour of Europe.

Young Witwoud: Young Witwoud is Sir Wilfull’s younger brother. He is a foolish young man who wants to look smart. He follows fashion and pretends to be witty. He does not truly love Millamant but enjoys her company.

Petulant: Petulant is a friend of Young Witwoud. He is rude, silly, and full of pride. He often uses bad language and behaves childishly. His name fits his character.

Waitwell: Waitwell is Mirabell’s loyal servant. He marries Foible to help in Mirabell’s plan. He pretends to be “Sir Rowland,” a fake uncle, to fool Lady Wishfort. 

Foible: Foible is Lady Wishfort’s maid. She marries Waitwell and helps Mirabell in his secret plan. She is clever and knows how to handle her mistress. Her smart actions move the plot forward.

Mincing: Mincing is Millamant’s maid. She is talkative and proud. She also knows about Fainall’s affair with Mrs. Marwood. She helps reveal the truth in the end.

Peg: Peg is another maid in Lady Wishfort’s house. Her role is small, but she is part of the servant world that supports the main story.