Characters Discussed
Figaro
Figaro (FEE-gah-roh), the barber of Seville. Figaro is a gay and not overly scrupulous barber and apothecary who does not hesitate to be of help to Count Almaviva in his pursuit of marriage with Rosine. Full of stratagems, he multiplies false identities, to the confusion of everyone. His own vein of comment reveals that he is the foe of the old and their heavy, unjustified wielding of authority. His malice, however, is only skin deep.
Count Almaviva
Count Almaviva (ahl-mah-VEE-vah), a Spanish grandee from Madrid. the conventional ardent lover, he is thoroughly determined to achieve his goal, marriage with the beautiful Rosine. Lacking the intelligence and guile to achieve his purposes, he enlists the aid of Figaro. At Figaro’s suggestion, he assumes two other identities. He first pretends to be Lindor, a soldier enamored of Rosine. When this plan fails, he becomes Alonzo, a pretended music teacher and a substitute for Don Bazile, Rosine’s real music teacher. Almaviva finally quiets an outraged local authority through an appeal to his rank.
Doctor Bartholo
Doctor Bartholo (bahr-TOH-loh), Rosine’s elderly guardian, a man suspicious of all young persons and new ideas. Fearful of losing his ward and the money she represents, he keeps her locked away from all suitors and allows her only the company of an elderly music teacher, Don Bazile. Because of increasing suspicion, he plans to marry Rosine himself and thus keep control of her property. He is foiled, however, by the strategies of Figaro and the revealed prestige of Count Almaviva.
Don Bazile
Don Bazile (bah-ZEEL), a slanderous music teacher and Doctor Bartholo’s tool. It is he who makes arrangements for the secret marriage between Rosine and Doctor Bartholo. Although he has brought the notary to Bartholo’s house, he accepts a bribe from Almaviva and deserts his former patron.
Rosine
Rosine (roh-ZEE-neh), the object of Almaviva’s love, an innocent, oppressed young woman. She is, however, capable of prudent suspicion about the pretended music teacher Alonzo and can be convinced that Alonzo is preparing to sell her to the count. When the identity of Alonzo as the count is revealed, Rosine faints, but she recovers in time for a happy marriage and the frustration of her guardian.
The notary
The notary, the performer of the marriage between Almaviva and Rosine. Although he is brought to the house to perform a marriage that will link Rosine and Bartholo forever, Figaro is able to convince him that it is Count Almaviva and Rosine who should be married.
Characters
Count Almaviva
Count Almaviva is a young nobleman fixated on winning the heart of the lovely Rosine. Having been smitten with her at first sight in Madrid, by the time the play begins, his constant appearances beneath her window have led Rosine to fall for him as well. The Count's quest to marry Rosine drives the plot of the play. He succeeds in his pursuit with the clever assistance of Figaro.
In his effort to win Rosine, the Count adopts various disguises. Aware that Rosine's guardian, Bartholo, is privy to his intentions, he dons different personas to infiltrate Bartholo's household. He first appears as a drunken soldier demanding lodging and later poses as Alonzo, a music teacher working with Bazile. These disguises allow him to pass crucial messages to Rosine. Additionally, he conceals his true identity from her, pretending to be a modest, impoverished man named Lindor to ensure she loves him for who he is, not his wealth or status. He ultimately reveals his true identity to Rosine once he is confident in her genuine affection.
Alonzo
(This entire section contains 676 words.)
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Alonzo
See Count Almaviva
Bartholo
Bartholo is an elderly man and Rosine's guardian, with plans to marry her himself. Gruff and cantankerous, Bartholo is an ill-suited match for Rosine. He abhors anything modern, views Rosine as his possession, and attempts to control his household with an iron fist. Constantly wary of Rosine's activities, as well as those of Figaro and the disguised Count, he endeavors to keep her confined at home. Fearing he will lose Rosine, he arranges for a notary to come to his house to conduct the marriage. However, his schemes to wed Rosine are thwarted, and by the play's conclusion, even the law offers him no recourse. Ultimately, he must concede Rosine to his adversary.
Bazile
Bazile is Rosine’s music instructor, but he also performs various tasks and favors for Bartholo. However, Bazile's allegiance is swayed by whoever pays him the most, which, on two crucial occasions, is the Count. Due to his mercenary nature, Bazile withholds the truth about Alonzo from Bartholo, which might have made Bartholo more vigilant in keeping Rosine away from the Count. Additionally, he fails to prevent the notary from performing the marriage ceremony.
Figaro
Figaro, once a servant of the Count, is a versatile individual with experience in various roles, including as a writer. His character is an intriguing blend of determination and ease. Now, he works as a traveling barber for Bartholo's household but is willing to jeopardize his job to assist the Count. Figaro has consistently demonstrated his resilience and ability to fend for himself in any situation.
Clever and quick-witted, Figaro agrees to assist the Count in winning over Rosine. He orchestrates the intricate events that ultimately unite the lovers. Figaro devises the plan to sneak the Count into the house to converse with Rosine, acts as a messenger between them, and works to outsmart Bartholo and his growing suspicions. He does this both as a favor to the Count and because the Count offers him a financial reward.
Despite the help he provides, Figaro is acutely aware that the Count treats him with a sense of superiority due to his lower social standing. While this treatment doesn't deter him from assisting the Count, Figaro often calls attention to it—sometimes subtly, sometimes directly—highlighting the injustices of the social hierarchy in France during Beaumarchais's era and criticizing the arrogance of the French nobility.
Lindor
See Count Almaviva
Rosine
Rosine, Bartholo's young ward, knows that Bartholo plans to marry her soon. When the Count, disguised as Lindor, expresses his interest, she quickly falls for him and eagerly participates in Figaro's schemes. She takes risks to ensure her union with Lindor and defies Bartholo's authority. To keep her relationship hidden, she tells Bartholo lies and resists his demands. However, when she mistakenly believes Lindor has betrayed her, she agrees to marry Bartholo. Upon discovering that Lindor is actually the Count and was not merely attempting to court her for the Count, she forgives him and marries him.
