for teaching and literary critique. At the play's start, she is a disheartened doctoral candidate infatuated with Professor Night. By the end, she has realized her attraction to women, uncovered her scholarly potential, and developed a deep and significant self-confidence.

Constance's primary struggle is her lack of confidence. Manipulated and rejected by Professor Night, she initially sees herself as a failed academic and lover. Like Desdemona and Juliet, she harbors a tendency towards self-destruction and tragedy. Her gender plays a crucial role in this insecurity; she admits to Desdemona that she is not "some kind of feminist. / I shave my legs and I get nervous in a crowd."

By embracing her femininity, Constance begins to reveal her best qualities and trust in her intellect and character. She draws inspiration from the strength of Juliet and Desdemona, who have been misunderstood by the male-centric academic world. Constance realizes that women have been misrepresented and suppressed, gaining confidence as she sees these women as admirable and motivating figures.

Ultimately, Constance's true identity is that of a self-assured feminist. She retains her clumsiness and awkwardness, but these traits are part of her role as the Wise Fool, who can craft and peacefully conclude comedic plays that Shakespeare originally wrote as tragedies. She returns to reality with a deeper understanding of herself and an appreciation for the lessons learned from Juliet and Desdemona: chiefly, an acknowledgment of her latent attraction to women and a capacity for non-violent resolution.

Mercutio

Mercutio is a close friend and relative of Romeo. In Romeo and Juliet, his death and final words, "A plague a' both your houses!," trigger the tragic events of the play. Constance's intervention to save his life allows Goodnight Desdemona to transform into a comedy.

Professor Claude Night

Professor Night is both charming and manipulative, capturing Constance's heart until she eventually moves on. He speaks with an Oxford accent, is "perfectly groomed," and "oozes confidence." He takes advantage of Constance by having her do much of his work without giving her any credit. His treatment of her is both sexist and dismissive, frustrating the audience as he seems to escape any consequences. Instead of recommending Constance for a lecturing position at Oxford University, he seizes the opportunity for himself and starts a relationship with Ramona, a young student.

Nurse

Much like in Shakespeare's play, Juliet's nurse is a practical woman, deeply devoted to Juliet and quite indulgent of her.

Othello

Othello is the tragic hero of his namesake play, renowned for his bravery and strength but also for his intense jealousy. He is a war hero from the Venetian empire, engaged in conflict with the Turks on Cyprus. Constance arrives during the scene where Iago deceives Othello into believing that his lieutenant Cassio possesses Desdemona's handkerchief. Othello expresses his willingness to be deceived with the famous lines "Had Desdemona forty thousand lives! / One is too poor, too weak for my revenge." However, Constance reveals Iago's deceit, and Othello is profoundly grateful.

Ramona

Ramona, a young student who is "all business and very assertive," competes with Constance for Professor Night's attention. She earns a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University and travels there with the professor, who has gifted her a diamond ring.

Romeo

Romeo, the famously ardent lover from Romeo and Juliet, defies his family by marrying the daughter of their rivals. In the original play, Romeo becomes entangled in conflict after Tybalt kills Mercutio, ultimately leading to his own death as he believes Juliet has died. Constance prevents these tragic events by informing Tybalt and Mercutio of the marriage.

In Goodnight Desdemona, Romeo serves as comic relief with his ever-changing and often absurd passions. He falls for Constance, mistaking her for a boy named Constantine, and soon grows dissatisfied with his marriage to Juliet. Romeo dresses as a woman to woo "Constantine," but ends up falling for Desdemona, only to be whisked away by Tybalt. His various romantic entanglements suggest that he is a young man with fluctuating desires but lacking strong convictions.

Soldier of Cyprus

The soldier of Cyprus serves as Othello's messenger to Desdemona in Act 2, Scene 2.

Servant

Capulet's servant is distributing invitations to Romeo and Juliet's wedding feast when Constance mistakenly identifies him as the Wise Fool.

Student

A student, whose name Constance confuses as "Julie" or "Jill," submits a late paper in Act 1, Scene 1.

Tybalt

Tybalt is Juliet's aggressive and impulsive cousin. He kills Mercutio, leading to his own death at the hands of Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. However, in Goodnight Desdemona, Constance manages to prevent these killings. Despite this, in Act 3, Tybalt remains a constant threat, poised to endanger Constance and transform the play into a tragedy.

Tybalt is somewhat narcissistic, and his sexually suggestive conversations hint at a homoerotic or gay nature. MacDonald mocks Tybalt's macho posturing, highlighting it as a significant threat to the play's comedic resolution. To lampoon Tybalt's character, the playwright places him and Romeo in a series of humorous scenarios, reaching a peak when Tybalt mistakenly carries Romeo from the crypt, thinking he is a woman.

Wise Fool

See Constance Ledbelly