Georges Danton

Georges Danton, in real life the most active and idealistic of the French Revolution leaders, is shown as passive and willing to accept his own doom from the start. He is world-weary, paralyzed, depressed, nihilistic, bored, and lazy. In real life, Danton came from an elite family with no money, relying on a gift from a family friend and his work as a barrister. He is often considered by historians as the architect of the fall of the monarchy of the Bourbon king, and he was willing to allow the excesses and anger of the public against the old order.

Robespierre

Robespierre has come down to the present time as a symbol of fanaticism and repression, a hypocrite seeking personal power and only posing as a revolutionary. His very name was used as an insult by those who considered themselves true revolutionaries. He was Danton’s chief political opponent, though at the start, the two were close allies. He is portrayed as extreme, psychopathic, humorless, dogmatic, fanatic, rigid, zealous, and self-righteous. Once the monarchy and old order were overthrown, he began to target moderate opponents and anyone who disagreed with him as an enemy of the French people.

Camille Desmoulins

Camille Desmoulins was Danton’s closest friend and the second highest Dantonist deputy in the National Convention. He was a journalist, siding with Danton against Robespierre’s faction, and he was executed at the same time. He is witty and sympathetic.

Louis Legendre, Marie-Jean Hérault de Séchelles, Lacroix, and Philippeaux

Louis Legendre, Marie-Jean Hérault de Séchelles, Lacroix, and Philippeaux were other Dantonist deputies in the National Convention. They are minor characters in the play.

Saint-Just

Saint-Just was Robespierre’s leading deputy and confidant, a military commissar and investigator who drew up lists of those to be executed. Even more zealous than Robespierre, he was violent, repressive, unyielding, and later called the Angel of Death by critics. He and Robespierre were finally executed by the same state they helped create.

Bertrand Barère and Jean-Marie Collot d'Herbois

Bertrand Barere and Jean-Marie Collot d'Herbois were two other members of the Committee of Public Safety. They are minor characters in the play.

Julie

Julie is Danton's wife, a minor character in the play since Danton is shown as chasing numerous women in the time leading up to his death.

Marion

Marion is the only fictional character in the play. She is a prostitute who is open and generous to Danton.