Last Updated on May 6, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: 897

Pyrocles

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Pyrocles (PI-rohk-leez), Prince of Macedon. Journeying with his cousin Musidorus, he fights on the side of justice in many countries before he reaches Arcadia and falls in love with a picture of the Princess Philoclea. He disguises himself as an Amazon, Zelmane, to be near his lady, only to find himself tormented by the passion of both her parents.

Musidorus

Musidorus (mew-sih-DOH-ruhs), his cousin and loyal friend, Prince of Thessalia. He masquerades as Dorus, a shepherd, and pretends to court the homely Mopsa in order to win the hand of the noble Princess Pamela, who is finally persuaded to run away with him.

Basilius

Basilius (beh-SIH-lih-uhs), the ruler of Arcadia, who takes his Queen and their daughters into the country to prevent the fulfillment of an oracle’s prophecy, which he fears portends disaster for him. He betrays both his age and his dignity in his passion for his daughter’s companion, Zelmane.

Gynecia

Gynecia (jih-NEE-shih-uh), his young wife, who suffers agonies of conscience for the desire and jealousy she feels for Pyrocles, whose disguise she has penetrated. Resenting his attentions to Philoclea, she is freed from her passion only after she has almost killed her husband with a love potion intended for Zelmane.

Pamela

Pamela, their stately, reserved older daughter, who is wooed and, after much resistance, won by Musidorus.

Philoclea

Philoclea (fih-lohk-LEE-uh), her sweeter, more submissive sister. She responds quickly to Pyrocles’ love, but she lacks the strength with which Pamela meets difficulties.

Amphialus

Amphialus (am-FI-eh-luhs), Basilius’ warrior nephew, who is spurred on by his ambitious mother and by his love for Philoclea to kidnap the princesses and take over the kingdom. Although he deeply regrets the deaths he causes, he cannot restrain his desire for fighting.

Cecropia

Cecropia (seek-ROH-pih-uh), Amphialus’ ruthless mother, who spurs him on his ambitious path to overthrow her hated brother Basilius.

Philanax

Philanax (fih-LA-naks), regent of Arcadia, a man of intelligence and integrity.

Dametas

Dametas (day-MEE-tuhs), a foolish, arrogant shepherd, Pamela’s guardian.

Miso

Miso (MI-soh), the sharp-tongued, jealous wife of Dametas.

Mopsa

Mopsa (MOP-suh), their homely daughter. Her stupidity makes her a useful cover for the blossoming romance between Musidorus and Pamela.

Argalus

Argalus (AHR-guh-luhs), a worthy young lord and a devoted lover and husband. He dies defending the rights of his cousins, Pamela and Philoclea, against Amphialus.

Parthenia

Parthenia (pahr-THEE-nih-uh), Argalus’ gracious wife. Grief-stricken at his death, she arms herself and fights a fatal duel with Amphialus, unwilling to live without her husband.

Demagoras

Demagoras (deh-MA-guh-ruhs), her vengeful rejected suitor.

Evarchus

Evarchus (eh-VAHR-kuhs), King of Macedon, who is judge in the trial after Basilius’ apparent death. He is deeply grieved to learn that he has condemned his son Pyrocles and his nephew Musidorus, but he insists that he must endure his own suffering and uphold law and order.

Helen

Helen, Queen of Corinth. Enamored of Amphialus, she pursues him over the countryside while adoring his picture. She comes to heal his wounds after his combat with Musidorus.

Philoxenus

Philoxenus (fih-lehk-ZEE-nuhs), a suitor of Helen. Jealous of her attentions to his foster brother, Amphialus, he challenges his rival and dies in the ensuing duel.

Timotheus

Timotheus (tih-MOH-thih-uhs), the father of Philoxenus.

Kalander

Kalander (kah-LAN-dur), an Arcadian gentleman who shelters Musidorus after he has been shipwrecked.

Clitophon

Clitophon (KLI-tuh-fon), his son.

Ismenus

Ismenus (ihs-MEE-nuhs), Amphialus’ devoted squire, killed in a battle with Philanax.

Phalantus

Phalantus (fuh-LAN -tuhs), a Corinthian knight who is persuaded by his selfish lady to defend the supremacy of her beauty...