Hudibras (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)

At a glance:

Characters Discussed

Sir Hudibras (HEW-dih-bras), a Presbyterian knight and the hero of this poem intended to ridicule the Presbyterians, the religious Independents, and the pretensions of false learning in seventeenth century England. Sir Hudibras is full of learned conversation liberally sprinkled with Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Riding a skinny nag, he sallies forth with his squire Ralpho, intent on putting to right the sinners of the world. The reforming knight and his squire, obnoxious nuisances both, get the worst of every encounter with sin. In a final humiliation, their ardor is cooled when they are forced to make an undignified exit through the Widow’s window and escape on their saddleless horses.

Ralpho, Sir Hudibras’ squire. A religious Independent full of high-flown arguments on matters of faith, he accompanies his master on his crusade against sin.

Crowdero, a fiddler captured and put in the stocks by Sir Hudibras and Ralpho.

Trulla, an Amazon who subdues Sir Hudibras and puts him in the stocks in place of Crowdero.

Sidrophel, an astrologer consulted by Sir Hudibras and Ralpho.

Whachum, Sidrophel’s apprentice.

The Widow, a wealthy woman who agrees to have Sir Hudibras freed from the stocks if he will consent to a whipping. When he lies to her, she causes his final humiliation and the end of his reforming career.

Orsin, a bear keeper whose escaped bear causes the melee that finally lands Sir Hudibras and Ralpho in the stocks.

Talgol, a butcher.

Bibliography:

Bond, Richmond P. English Burlesque Poetry, 1700-1750. New York: Russell & Russell, 1964. This classic study places Hudibras in the burlesque tradition. Argues that the poem is not, on the other hand, a travesty.

Butler, Samuel. Hudibras. Edited by John Wilders. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 1967. This edition provides much useful information. Copious notes.

Jack, Ian. Augustan Satire: Intention and Idiom in English Poetry, 1660-1750. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 1957. Calls Hudibras a “low satire” and places the poem in the context of other major satiric poems through most of a century.

Richards, Edward Ames. Hudibras in the Burlesque Tradition. New York: Columbia University Press, 1937. Gives an account of the influence of Butler’s poem in colonial America. Places the poem in the context of the burlesque tradition.

Wasserman, George. Samuel “Hudibras” Butler. Rev. ed. Boston: Twayne, 1989. A chapter on Butler’s thought is followed by two chapters on Hudibras. Bibliography.