Lady Margaret Windermere

Lady Margaret Windermere, a proper woman. After discovering that her husband is giving money to Mrs. Erlynne, she doubts his assertions that the relationship is honorable. Angry that he insists on inviting Mrs. Erlynne to their ball, Lady Windermere threatens to strike Mrs. Erlynne with her fan if she appears, but Lady Windermere loses her nerve and drops the fan instead. Put in a reckless mood, Lady Windermere accepts the attentions of Lord Darlington, a man-about-town, and agrees to run off with him. Mrs. Erlynne intercepts Lady Windermere’s letter to her husband and follows her. At the expense of her own reputation, Mrs. Erlynne saves that of Lady Windermere. From that time on, Lady Windermere defends Mrs. Erlynne and calls her a good woman, though she does not understand Mrs. Erlynne’s motives.

Mrs. Erlynne

Mrs. Erlynne, who years ago left her husband and daughter to run away with another man. Her daughter is Lady Windermere, whom she saves from similar ignominy. She does not reveal the relationship to Lady Windermere, not wishing to destroy her illusions.

Lord Windermere

Lord Windermere, the husband of Lady Windermere. He is helping Mrs. Erlynne, whom he admires, to regain the approval of society, and hence he insists that she be invited to the ball. Mrs. Erlynne takes the blame when Lady Windermere’s fan is found in Lord Darlington’s rooms. Lord Windermere is furious about this and thinks she has betrayed his confidence.

The duchess of Berwick

The duchess of Berwick, who informs Lady Windermere of a rumored affair between Mrs. Erlynne and Lord Windermere.

Lord Augustus Lorton

Lord Augustus Lorton, the disreputable brother of the duchess of Berwick. He breaks his engagement with Mrs. Erlynne when she takes Lady Windermere’s blame. Later, he accepts her explanation that his own interests took her to Lord Darlington’s rooms, and the engagement is renewed.

Lord Darlington

Lord Darlington, a man-about-town. He persuades Lady Windermere to run away with him. Mrs. Erlynne pursues Lady Windermere to his rooms and, reminding her of her duty to her child, persuades her to go back to her husband.

Agatha

Agatha is the daughter of the Duchess of Berwick. She is passive and primarily focused on getting married.

Lady Carlisle

See Agatha

Caroline

See Lady Jedburgh

Mrs. Cowper-Cowper

Mrs. Cowper-Cowper is one of the society ladies who attends Lady Windermere’s ball.

Lord Darlington

Lord Darlington is enamored with Lady Windermere and suggests her husband’s infidelity to win her affection. When she does not reciprocate his feelings, he leaves town.

Duchess of Berwick

A manipulative woman, the Duchess of Berwick thrives on the pettiness of high society. She initiates the misunderstandings between Mrs. Erlynne and Lady Windermere by gossiping about Mrs. Erlynne and Lord Windermere.

At the same time, she skillfully orchestrates her daughter’s marriage to Mr. Hopper, an Australian visitor. Once she secures the match, she works to ensure the couple stays in London rather than moving to Sydney.

Margaret Erlynne

The enigmatic Mrs. Erlynne is Lady Windermere’s long-lost mother—a fact revealed late in the play. Lady Windermere never learns her true identity.

Mrs. Erlynne yearns to be accepted within her daughter’s social circles. She has a reputation as a woman with a dubious past, described as a ‘‘divorced woman, going about under an assumed name, a bad woman preying upon life.’’ Essentially, she appears to be a woman with no substantial income, and therefore no right to socialize with the Windermeres and their circle.

However, Mrs. Erlynne proves herself to be a woman of integrity, putting aside her own interests to protect...