Raina Petkoff
Raina, the heroine of the play, is the only child of Major Petkoff and Catherine Petkoff. She is a "romantic" and had romantic ideas of love and war. Catherine Petkoff
Catherine Petkoff, Raina's mother, is a middle-aged woman, who likes to act as a Viennese lady. She is active and good-looking.
Major Petkoff
Major Petkoff got his position in the army more because of his wealth than his ability. He is not a good one in the art of soldiery. He takes help from Bluntschli but believes that he himself has made all the plans. But he is a good father and husband.
Sergius
Sergius is handsome like any romantic hero. He has a good position in the army and is supposed to be brave. He is thought to be in love with Raina but flirts with Louka.
Bluntschli
Bluntschli is a Swiss professional soldier. He believes that it is
better to be armed with chocolates than with ammunition on the battlefield . He is not good-looking and romantic like Sergius but he is a practical, energetic and good soldier.
Louka
She is a servant girl in Petkoff house. She is proud and hates being a servant. She is ambitious and wishes to rise in life. Nicola wishes to marry her but she loves and plans to marry Sergius and rise in society.
Nicola
Nicola is an old servant of the family. He deals freely with the members of the family as well as their guests. He is fond of Louka who hates of his being a servent.
The play has two major Themes :
War and marriage. Romantic illusion about war leads to disaster, in the same way romantic ideas of love and marriage lead to unhappy marriages.
The relationship between the upper and lower classes as represented by the Petkoffs and their servants Nicola and Louka. Shaw encourages social equality .