Henry IV (Pirandello)

Henry IV (Pirandello) Character List

Henry IV

The main sufferer, he lives in a castle and has been assumed to be mad for many years. His delusion was that he was Henry IV of Germany, back in the eleventh century. After waking out of his madness, he decided to keep playing the role.

The Marchioness Matilda Spina

Also known as Donna Matilda, an older woman now, she used to be Henry IV's old flame, the woman he loved.

Frida

The daughter of the Marchioness Matilda Spina, she looks exactly like her mother did at her age. Henry IV feigns madness at the end and tries to kidnap her.

Charles Di Nolli

The young Marquis, engaged to marry Frida. He is the man who has been funding the counselors and the villa so that Henry IV is comfortable in his madness.

Baron Tito Belcredi

The current lover of the Marchioness Matilda Spina, he may be the person that stuck Henry IV's horse, thereby causing the fall that made Henry go mad. He is stabbed by Henry at the end of the play.

Doctor Dionysius Genoni

A physician who has gone along with the group in order to cure Henry IV; his plots instead almost end up making Henry IV go mad for real.

Harold (Frank)

One of the valets or private counselors to Henry IV. As a counselor, he pretends to serve Henry IV and helps the guests assume the proper parts in order to maintain the pretense.

Landolph (Lolo)

One of the valets or private counselors to Henry IV. As a counselor, he pretends to serve Henry IV and helps the guests assume the proper parts in order to maintain the pretense.

Ordulph (Momo)

One of the valets or private counselors to Henry IV. As a counselor, he pretends to serve Henry IV and helps the guests assume the proper parts in order to maintain the pretense.

Berthold (Fino)

One of the valets or private counselors to Henry IV, he is a new actor who has just been hired. As a counselor, he pretends to serve Henry IV and helps the guests assume their proper parts in order to maintain the pretense.

John

An old waiter who firmly believes the Henry IV is mad, the four valets and Henry IV allow him to continue believing that Henry is mad even after we learn that he is lucid.

Two Valets