Characters
Belinda
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Belinda is based on the historical Arabella Fermor, a member of Pope's circle of
prominent Roman Catholics. Robert, Lord Petre (the Baron in the poem) had
precipitated a rift between their two families by snipping off a lock of her
hair.
The Baron
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This is the pseudonym for the historical Robert, Lord Petre, the young gentleman
in Pope's social circle who offended Arabella Fermor and her family by cutting
off a lock of her hair. In the poem's version of events, Arabella is known as
Belinda.
Caryl
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The historical basis for the Caryl character is John Caryll, a friend of Pope
and of the two families that had become estranged over the incident the poem
relates. It was Caryll who suggested that Pope encourage a reconciliation by
writing a humorous poem.
Goddess
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The muse who, according to classical convention, inspires poets to write their
verses
Shock
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Belinda's lapdog
Ariel
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Belinda's guardian sylph, who oversees an army of invisible protective
deities
Umbriel
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The chief gnome, who travels to the Cave of Spleen and returns with bundles of
sighs and tears to aggravate Belinda's vexation
Brillante
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The sylph who is assigned to guard Belinda's earrings
Momentilla
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The sylph who is assigned to guard Belinda's watch
Crispissa
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The sylph who is assigned to guard Belinda's "fav'rite Lock"
Clarissa
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A woman in attendance at the Hampton Court party. She lends the Baron the
pair of scissors with which he cuts Belinda's hair, and later delivers a
moralizing lecture.
Thalestris
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Belinda's friend, named for the Queen of the Amazons and representing the
historical Gertrude Morley, a friend of Pope's and the wife of Sir George Browne
(rendered as her "beau," Sir Plume, in the poem). She eggs Belinda on in
her anger and demands that the lock be returned.
Sir Plume
-
Thalestris's "beau," who makes an ineffectual challenge to the Baron.
He represents the historical Sir George Browne, a member of Pope's social
circle.
