Characters Flashcards
Woyzeck
The protagonist. He is a soldier, working class and poor. He is inherently good, but the world around him causes him suffering. The authority figures of the Captain and the Doctor exploit him. He is eventually driven mad, to the point that he murders Marie
Andres
A solder, and Woyzeck’s companion. He provides a contrast of sanity against Woyzeck’s madness
Marie
Woyzeck’s common-law partner and mother of his illegitimate child. She is frustrated by his lack of interest in the baby and in her. This leads her to infidelity with the handsome Drum-Major. This is the catalyst for Woyzeck’s anger which leads to her murder.
Margaret
Marie’s neighbour. She remarks on Marie’s interest in the Drum-Major
Drum-Major
A specially privileged senior NCO used as a mascot and for recruitment purposes. Chosen for his physique, he is splendidly uniformed and is excused normal duties. He seduces Marie
Showman
From the travelling fair; he performs tricks with a horse
Sergeant
An associate of the Drum-Major
The Captain
The army officer for whom Woyzeck acts as a barber. He mocks Woyzeck for his lack of morals, but ultimately he simple has no respect for him due to his class. He is partly responsible for Woyzecks emotional downfall
The Doctor
He is performing a bizarre experiment of Woyzeck, in which he forces him to eat only peas. He treats Woyzeck as an animal, presenting the findings of his experiment to his students. He shows total disregard for Woyzeck’s mental and physical well-being. He is also partly responsible for Woyzeck’s demise
Grandmother
An old, blind woman. She tells a foreboding, dark fairytale which is indicative of the struggle faces by Woyzeck
Journeymen
Artisans beyond apprenticeship who must serve a period in another area before they become master craftsmen. They wore a black uniform with headgear
