Candida Morell

Candida is the charming and supportive wife of the Reverend James Morell. Stage directions describe her as thirty-three and “well built, well nourished… now quite at her best, with the double charm of youth and motherhood.” She is the object of affection of both her husband—the Reverend James Mavor Morell—and a young poet named Eugene Marchbanks. Candida is practical, hardworking, and maternal: she cares for others’ feelings and pities both Morell and Marchbanks. 

Though Morell believes he must protect and defend Candida, Candida is driven to explain that she is really the one protecting and defending him. When asked to choose between Marchbanks and Morell, Candida chooses Morell. She knows that although both men are in need of love, Morell needs her more, because he has been spoiled all his life and is far weaker than he knows. Candida explains to Morell and Marchbanks that as Morell’s wife, she is his “mother and three sisters… and mother to his children all in one.” Morell, realizing this for perhaps the first time, gladly affirms it.

 The Reverend James Mavor Morell

The Reverend Morell is a socialist, a clergyman of the Church of England, and Candida’s husband. He is “robust and goodlooking, full of energy, with pleasant, hearty, considerate manners, and a sound, unaffected voice.” He is an extremely busy man, and his lecturing skills are in high demand. As a child, Morell was spoiled by his family, and he is ignorant of the fact that his wife has allowed for his current success through her constant support and care. 

When Morell observes Candida’s affection for Marchbanks, he fears that he is losing his wife. Marchbanks puts Candida’s affections to the test: he leaves her and Marchbanks at home alone while he gives a lecture. When this test proves inconclusive and Candida has not shown a clear preference, Morell and Marchbanks demand that Candida choose between them. Candida asks the two men to “bid” on her, and Morell offers Candida his strength and provision; however, Candida ultimately chooses Morell because she knows he is weak and needs her help more than Marchbanks. Morell discovers at this point how dependent he is on Candida and how vital she has been to his success. When he finally realizes this, Morell exclaims, “It’s all true, every word. What I am you have made me with the labor of your hands and the love of your heart!”

Eugene Marchbanks

Eugene Marchbanks is an eighteen-year-old poet whom Morell once found sleeping outside and brought home. He is the nephew of an earl and very timid: he fears meeting strangers, open conversation, and tipping cab drivers. He has fallen passionately in love with Candida, idolizes her, and seeks to amuse her with flights of fancy. Marchbanks declares that Morell is not worthy of her, and Morell grows angry and fearful. 

Marchbanks offers his “weakness,” “desolation,” and “heart’s need” to Candida as his “bid” for her love. Despite this petition for Candida’s love and pity, Candida chooses Morell, revealing that though Marchbanks is in need of love, Morell needs her more. Marchbanks willingly accepts Candida’s choice and leaves, remarking that the age difference between him and Candida would be nothing “in a hundred years” and wishing Morell happiness, for he has “filled the heart of the woman [Marchbanks] loves.”

Mr. Burgess

Mr. Burgess is Candida’s father, “a vulgar, ignorant, guzzling man” who does not get along with his son-in-law, Morell, and has not come to visit in three years. Three years prior to the events of the play, Morell convinced the county council to refuse a contract...