As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

We have listed profiles of the key characters from A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller below. We hope the information provided helps you with your GCSE English Literature.

Eddie Carbone – Eddie Carbone is a docker. He lives with his wife, Beatrice and orphaned niece, Catherine. Eddie is unable to express himself very well. His lust for Catherine leads to his undoing.

Catherine – Catherine is Eddie and Beatrice Carbone’s niece. Catherine is intelligent, pretty, popular and Italian. Catherine wants her uncle to be happy with her despairs when Eddie does not like Rodolpho- the man she hopes to marry.

Beatrice – Beatrice is Eddie Carbone’s wife and is Catherine’s aunt. Beatrice is a kind woman, having raised Catherine from a young age she is like a mother figure to her.

Marco – Marco is Beatrice’s cousin. Marco is a hard working character who came from Italy to America to make money to send home to his family.

Rodolpho – Rodolpho is Beatrice’s Italian cousin. Rodolpho prefers singing to working on the docks. To the other men Rodolpho is not very masculine because he loves to sing, dance, cook and sew. Rodolpho wishes he was an American and seeks his fame and fortune in America.

Mr. Lipari – Mr Lipari is the butcher who above the Carbone’s. Eddie tries to blame Mr. Lipari for tipping off the Immigration office about Marco and Rodolpho.

Mrs. Lipari – Mrs Lipari is Mr Lipari’s wife who lives above the Carbone’s. Mrs. Lipari gives Marco and Rodolpho a room in her home when Eddie forces them to leave his house.

Two “Submarines” - Two Submarines are the illegal immigrants who are hiding upstairs in the Lipari house.

Alfieri – Alfieri is an Italian-American lawyer. Alfieri narrates the play. His aim is to vocalise the moral and social implications in the play.

Mike – Mike is a docker and friends with Eddie and Louis.

Louis – Louis is a docker and friends with Eddie and Mike.

Tony – Tony is a friend of the Carbone family. He assures that Marco and Rodolpho get off the ship safely and takes them home.

Be sure check out our A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller GCSE English Literature learning song

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

Mrs. Johnstone: The very poor mother of 7 kids. Mrs. Johnstone was left by the fathers of the kids
Mickey: One of the twins central to the Blood Brothers story, Mickey lives with his mother. Micky falls in love with Linda.
Eddie: One of the twins central to the Blood Brothers story, Eddie lives with a rich foster mother.
Narrator: The narrator of the Blood Brothers Story.
Mrs. Lyons: Eddie’s foster mother. Mrs. Lyons is desperate for Eddie not to meet Mickey.
Linda: Linda falls in Love with Micky
Sammy: Son of Mrs Johnstone, Sammy is a nasty man.

Be sure check out our GCSE English Literature learning song, Blood Brothers by Willy Russell “Careful Mrs. Johnstone”

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

Link/Dave: Main character in Stone Cold by Robert Swindells.  Link  got his name from the “Thames-link” railway sign. One of his first sites on arriving in London from Bradford or “up north”, as Link refers to it. Link becomes friends with Ginger, but does not 100% trust him.

Shelter: A former sergeant-major who has made it his sick mission to kill all of London’s homeless people. Shelter despises homeless people and thinks  they ‘make the place look untidy.’ Shelter wishes he was still in the army and uses military precision to lure homeless people into his house. He then kills them and hides their body under the floor boards calling them ‘the Camden Horizontals’.

Ginger: More streetwise than Link, a seasoned homless person who befreinds Link in a doorway.

Gail: Journalist reporter who goes undercover to expose the truth behind homelessness.  Gail first meets with Link just after Ginger goes missing. Link is suspicious of Gail’s phone calls home and probing questions.It is only after Shelters arrest that Link finds out Gail’s true identity. Link is very disheartened on finding out and feels used.

Be sure check out our GCSE English Literature learning song, Stone Cold “What would you do”

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.
•    Shylock: A wealthy Jewish Moneylender. Shylock feels he has been mistreated by Antonio and other Venetian Christians. A strict adherent to the law of contract Shylock demands a pound of Antonio’s flesh as a guarantee for a loan. Shylock’s scheme for revenge is thwarted as he comes unstuck by the contract he thought to take advantage of.

•    Antonio: A Venetian Merchant. A friend of Bassanio. Antonio agrees to let his flesh secure a loan for his friend. Antonio shows a disliking of Jews but eventually lets Shylock of the hook.

•    Bassanio: Citizen of Venice and friend of Antonio. Bassanio intends to marry Portia. With Antonio as his guarantor Basanio borrows money from Shylock.

•    Portia: A wealthy, beautiful and intelligent Lady from Belmont. Portia loves Bassanio but according to her fathers will she must marry whoever chooses correctly from three caskets. Portia disguises herself as a lawyer and saves Antonio from giving his flesh to Shylock.

•    Gratiano: A friend of Bassanio. Gratiano marries Nerissa who is Portia’s maid. Gratiano is quite combative and is a big critic of Shylock.

•    Nerissa: Maid or lady-in-waiting to Portia. Marries Gratiano.

•    Balthasar: Portia’s servant.

•    Jessica: Shylock’s unhappy daughter. Jessica elopes with Lorenzo despite him being a Christian and her a Jew.

•    Launcelot Gobbo: Bassanio’s servant who was formerly employed by Shylock.

•    Old Gobbo: Launcelot’s father.

•    The Prince of Morocco: A suitor to Portia who luckily for Bassanio picks the wrong casket.

•    The Prince of Arragon: Also a suitor to Portia and likewise picks the wrong casket.

•    Salarino and Solanio: Venetian gentlemen, friends and escorts of Antonio, Bassanio and Lorenzo.

•    The Duke of Venice: The Ruler of Venice. The Duke presides over the trial of Antonio and greatly respects the law.
•    Tubal: A Jewish friend of Shylock.

Be sure check out our GCSE English Literature learning song, Merchant of Venice “You Wont Find me There”

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

•    Othello: The main character of the play. Othello is General of the Venetian Army and is a Christian Moor. Although a strong character Othello is prey to the jealousy insinuated by Iago and this leads to his downfall.

•    Desdemona: Wife of Othello and Daughter of Venitian Senator Brabanzio. Desdemona and Othello were recently married in secret. As on might expect from a senator’s daughter she is meek but also capable of defending herself.

•    Brabanzio: Father of Desdemona and friend of Othello. A Venetian Senator.

•    Iago: The plays villain and Ensign to Othello. Iago is bitter because Othello did not promote him to lieutenant and so schemes against him through manipulating the other characters.

•    Michael Cassio: Given the position of lieutenant despite his inexperience and youth, much to the chagrin of Iago. Cassio’s youth and good looks are used by Iago to make Otello jealous and insecure. Iago tries to convince Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio.

•    Bianca: A prostitute in Cyprus who is very fond of Cassio.

•    Emilia: Iago’s wife and Maid to Desdemona. Emilia really loves Desdemona and distrusts her husband.

•    Roderigo: A rich but foolish young man who is smitten with Desdemona. Easily convinced by Iago to part with his money     and take part in his schemes. It seems Roderigo would do anything to win the affection of Desdemona even agreeing to help kill Cassio.

•    Duke of Venice: The man in charge of Venice. The Duke sends Othello to Cyprus to defend it against the Turks and defends Othello’s secret marriage.

•    Lodovico: Works for Brabanzio. As a messenger between Venice and Cyprus he breaks the news that Othello will be replaced as governor by Cassio.

•    Montano: Othello’s predecessor as governor of Cyprus.

•    Graziano: Works for Brabanzio and accompanies Lodovico to Cypress. Graziano breaks the news of Brabanzio’s death.

•    Clown: Othello’s servant.

Be sure check out our GCSE English Literature learning song, Othello “Throw the Pearl Away”…

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

• Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch: 6 Year old daughter of Atticus and Sister of Jem. Scout is the narrator of the story. An intelligent and adventurous tom-boy Scout has a strong moral sense that is explored in the novel by her encounters with her own fears and the prejudices and racism of the American South.

• Atticus Finch: Father of Jem and Scout, Attics is a widowed lawyer who is respected amongst his community. Unlike much of the white community in the south, Atticus is committed to racial equality. Atticus’ good example and teaching give his children their strong sense of morality.

• Jeremy Atticus ‘Jem’ Finch: Son of Atticus and brother to Scout. Jem is a close and caring brother to Scout even though he is 4 years older. Jem is a typical American boy of the period and is daring and protective of his sister. Jem’s ideas about justice are badly affected by the unfair trial of Tom Robinson and he learns about his own prejudice through interaction with Boo Radley.

• Calpurnia: Cook to the Finch household. Calpurnia is the children’s link to the black community.
• Aunt Alexandra: Atticus’ sister. A perfect example of a white American woman in the south. Alexandra is very traditional ad would have Scout behave in a more ladylike fashion.

• Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley: A mysterious and reclusive man who has captured the imagination of the children with his strange ways. Initially feared by the children Boo shows that he is a good man when he helps and then saves them. Boo is a tragic example of an abused character hiding from the world. Like the Mockingbird Boo is badly treated even though he just wants to do good.

• Nathan Radley: Older brother of Boo. Nathan shares some of his fathers cruelty, seen when he blocks the hole in the tree that the children use to communicate with Boo.

• Bob Ewell: An unemployed drunk from a poor family. Bob accuses Tom Robinson of raping his daughter although he knows this was not the case. Bob is a racist and would rather have an innocent man punished than see his daughter with a black man. Bob represents the kind of racist attitudes in the south that Atticus is very much against.

• Mayella Ewell: Daughter of Bob Ewell. One pities Mayella for having such a drunken, abusive father however she goes along with accusing Tom Robinson.

• Charles Baker ‘Dill’ Harris: Jem and Scouts friend who stays in Maycomb for the Summer. Dill has a wild imagination and a fascination with Boo Radley.

• Miss Maudie Atkinson: A Neighbour and Friend of the Finch family. Although Sharp tongued Miss Maudie is the best adult friend of the children and shares Atticus’ liberal attitudes.

• Tom Robinson: A black field hand whose relationship with Mayella gets him wrongly accused of  rape and faces unfair justice. Another of Harper Lee’s mockingbirds.

• Link Deas: The employer of Tom Robinson, a good man who defends the character of Tom showing the opposite of the prevailing racist attitude.

• Mrs Henry Lafayette Dubose: An old, grumpy, racist neighbour of the Finch family. Atticus respects her for the way she copes with her morphine addiction however the children, especially Jem, do not like her.

• Heck Tate: The Sheriff of Maycomb. A decent man in bad circumstances who is a major witness in the trial of Tom Robinson.

• Mr Underwood: Publisher of Maycomb’s newspaper and ally of Atticus.

• Mr Dolphus Raymond: A wealthy white man who unusually for the time has a black wife and prefers the company of black people. Rather than explain his choice to the largely racist public of Maycomb, Mr Raymond pretends to be a drunk to explain his behaviour.

• Mr Walter Cunningham: Father of Walter Cunningham who is a classmate of Scout, Mr Cunningham is a poor farmer. Part of the mob that attempt to lynch Tom Robinson, he learns a lesson when Scout through her innocence an politeness persuades him to break up the mob.

• Walter Cunningham: Mr Cunningham’s son. Classmate of Scout.

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

• Arthur Birling: The Head of the Birling family. A big, arrogant man in his mid 50’s. Husband of Sybil, Father of Eric and Sheila. Arthur is a Greedy man who is more worried about profit than the loss of life and is obsessed with his social standing.

• Sybil Birling: Wife of Arthur and Mother of Eric and Sheila. Sybil is aloof and hypocritical, quick to show her distaste of working class women like Eva/Daisy but blind to the problems in her own family.

• Sheila Birling: Daughter and oldest child of Arthur and Sybil, Sheila is engaged to Gerald. Initially shares the prejudice of her parents towards the working class. Sheila’s character develops greatly and she comes to be remorseful for the death of Eva/Daisy and develops a much stronger social conscience.

• Eric Birling: Son of Arthur and Sybil. Eric has problems with Alcohol and is revealed to have impregnated Eva/Daisy and to have stolen money. Eric feels guilty about the death of Eva/Daisy and eventually realises the need to change his ways.

• Gerald Croft: Son of George and engaged to Sheila Birling. Gerald admits to having an affair with Eva/Daisy and for a time looking after her as his secret mistress. Gerald shares the prejudice of Arthur and Sybil.

• Sir George Croft: Father of Gerald and Owner of Croft’s Ltd a competitor to Arthur Birling’s business Birling and Co.

• Inspector Goole: Introduces himself as a police inspector but becomes something of a mystery character. Goole interrogates the Birling family about the death of Eva/Daisy and their connection to it. The real identity of Goole is never ascertained and although he may not be a real police inspector he seems to know all about the other characters various secrets and their involvement in the death of Eva/Daisy. Goode’s real identity and motives are very much open to interpretation.

• Eva Smith/Daisy Renton: Vulnerable and in poverty with no family Eva/Daisy has connections to all the other characters. The reasons for her death by suicide whilst pregnant and her mistreatment by the Birling family are the focus of the play. Through her links to the Birling’s and Gerald, Eva/Daisy shows the prejudices against and mistreatments of the working class in 1912.

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

• George Milton: A sharp-witted, intelligent man who is friends with Lennie. He feels responsible for caring for Lennie. George dreams of one day buying his own land with Lennie and making a better life.

• Lennie Small: An immensely strong but gentle man who has a mental disability. Lennie’s loving nature combined with his disability and great strength result in him tragically hurting or killing the soft creatures he loves. He dreams of living from the land he intends to buy with George and being able to tend to rabbits.

• Candy: A one handed ranch worker who is nearing retirement and shares George and Lennie’s dream of buying their own Homestead.

• Candy’s dog: An old lame dog that is killed by Carlson. The death of the Dog and its release from suffering can be seen as similar to the eventual fate of Lennie.

• Curley: Once a semi-professional boxer, Curley is the bad tempered son of the Boss. He is a very jealous character who distrusts his wife and takes a disliking to Lennie

• Curley’s wife: The young, pretty wife of Curley. Steinbeck does not give the name of Curley’s wife which is unusual for a main character. Curley’s wife is used to create the tragic fate of Lennie.

• Slim: The main driver of a team of mules. Slim is respected even by the disagreeable Curley.

• Crooks: Made bitter by his discrimination as the only black ranch hand. Crooks is a sad and suffering character who gets his name from his crooked spine.

• Carlson: A big strong ranch hand who shows little sympathy in the killing of Candy’s dog.

• Whit: A minor character who is a ranch hand.

• The Boss: Runs the ranch for a land company. The father of Curley.

• Aunt Clara: Lennie’s Auntie who gives depth of character through providing reference to the past.

Texts we will be covering include:

1.    Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
2.    An Inspector Calls by JB Priestly
3.    To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
4.    A view From the Bridge by Arthur Miller
5.    Blood Brothers by Willy Russell
6.    The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
7.    Othello by William Shakespeare
8.    Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
9.    Macbeth by William Shakespeare
10.  Lord of the Flies by William Golding
11.  Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austin
12.  Stone Cold by Robert Swindells