A young woman who is training to become a nun. She is Claudio’s sister.

The Governor of Vienna who disguises himself as a friar and leaves Angelo in charge.

The duke’s deputy and a man of strict standards. He is in charge of Vienna while the duke is away.

Isabella’s brother who is sentenced to death for getting his fiancée pregnant.

A young woman who used to be engaged to Angelo. She is still in love with him and lives in a country house surrounded by a moat.

An outspoken bachelor who slanders the duke and is forced to marry a prostitute.

The keeper of a brothel who discovers that Angelo is going to shut down her business.

A lord who is loyal to the duke and advises Angelo to be less strict in his behaviour.

A well-meaning but overworked constable who causes confusion by getting his words wrong.

A pimp who works for Mistress Overdone. He escapes a jail sentence by taking a job as executioner.

Claudio’s fiancée. She is pregnant with their first child.

The prison-keeper who is responsible for carrying out Angelo’s orders.