Sir Hudibras

Sir Hudibras (HEW-dih-bras), a Presbyterian knight and the hero of this poem intended to ridicule the Presbyterians, the religious Independents, and the pretensions of false learning in seventeenth century England. Sir Hudibras is full of learned conversation liberally sprinkled with Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Riding a skinny nag, he sallies forth with his squire Ralpho, intent on putting to right the sinners of the world. The reforming knight and his squire, obnoxious nuisances both, get the worst of every encounter with sin. In a final humiliation, their ardor is cooled when they are forced to make an undignified exit through the Widow’s window and escape on their saddleless horses.

Ralpho

Ralpho, Sir Hudibras’ squire. A religious Independent full of high-flown arguments on matters of faith, he accompanies his master on his crusade against sin.

Crowdero

Crowdero, a fiddler captured and put in the stocks by Sir Hudibras and Ralpho.

Trulla

Trulla, an Amazon who subdues Sir Hudibras and puts him in the stocks in place of Crowdero.

Sidrophel

Sidrophel, an astrologer consulted by Sir Hudibras and Ralpho.

Whachum

Whachum, Sidrophel’s apprentice.

The Widow

The Widow, a wealthy woman who agrees to have Sir Hudibras freed from the stocks if he will consent to a whipping. When he lies to her, she causes his final humiliation and the end of his reforming career.

Orsin

Orsin, a bear keeper whose escaped bear causes the melee that finally lands Sir Hudibras and Ralpho in the stocks.

Talgol

Talgol, a butcher.