Tropes pertaining to characters from Gilbert and Sullivan's work The Yeomen of the Guard.
Sir Richard Cholmondeley (Lieutenant of the Tower)
The Lieutenant (pronounced left-enant) of the tower, whose name is pronounced Chum-lee- Artistic License – History: Claims to have had daughters. He didn't, instead having had one illegitimate son.
- Audience Surrogate: Particularly during the scene with Jack Point, where he tells Point that his puns really aren't funny.
- Boring, but Practical: Unlike most other Tower residents, he isn't given to scheming or any zany plans.
- Historical Domain Character: Was Lieutenant of the Tower from 1513 to 1520, although he didn't die until 1521.
- Large and in Charge: His position ranks him above most of the other characters (if not all of them) and he's generally played by tall, physically imposing men.
- Only Sane Man: Points out that Fairfax's idea to get married might not be warranted, and is generally the most normal person in show.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: In charge but still rather pleasant.
Colonel Fairfax (under sentence of death)
A handsome and charismatic prisoner of the Tower.- Affably Evil: Comes over as rather pleasant and philosophical. Still not a nice man.
- All Girls Want Bad Boys: Phoebe and Elsie (and, depending upon the production, Kate) are both after him.
- Anti-Villain: At best. That said, he's usually portrayed as an out-and-out villain, not without reason.
- Beauty Is Bad: Phoebe states that he's "young and handsome", but he really isn't a good person.
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: He offers to teach Jack Point how to woo Elsie. When he's certain that Elsie is in love with him he drops the sheep's clothing.Point: (also alarmed, aside) Oh, I can't let that pass! (aloud) Hold, enough, Master Leonard! An advocate must have his fee, but methinks thou art over-paying thyself!Fairfax: Nay, that is for Elsie to say. I promised thee I would show thee how to woo, and herein lies the proof of the virtue of my teaching. Go thou, and apply it elsewhere!
- The Charmer: Attractive, and he knows it
- Deadpan Snarker: Has a very dry sense of humour.Dame Carruthers: Nay, Master Leonard, I've naught to say to thy father that his son may not hear.Fairfax: (aside) True. I'm one of the family; I had forgotten!
- Eccentric Mentor: Passes himself off as this to Jack Point at first.
- Evil Counterpart: To Leonard, who has gone through many of the same experiences but is a basically good person.
- Face Death with Dignity: His original plan, coupled with a plan to screw his cousin over for a final time.
- Good is Not Nice: In as much as he is good, he's still the hero.
- Informed Attribute: We're told how brave and benevolent he is, although we see very little evidence of this.
- Likable Villain: To the point that we don't even realise he's a villain for most of the show, and most of the characters never find out.
- Playing Cyrano: Claims that he will do this for Jack Point. Doesn't.
- Refused the Call: Notably to contrast with Leonard's heroic actions. Compare Leonard's "heroic resolution" in snatching a sword and killing a score, and his resignation to his impending death.
- Villain Protagonist: The worst-case scenario for his characterisation. Once again: not without reason.
- What the Hell, Hero?: The usual audience response to his actions just before When a Wooer Goes A-Wooing
Sergeant Meryll (of the Yeomen of the Guard)
The Sergeant of the Yeomen Warders, as well as Phoebe and Leonard's father.- Abhorrent Admirer: Dame Carruthers is this to him.
- And Now You Must Marry Me: Pulled on him by Carruthers. Interestingly, one of the funniest scenes in the whole show.Meryll: Why, look ye, chuck—for many a month I've - I've thought to myself - "There's snug love saving up in that middle-aged bosom for some one, and why not for thee - that's me - so take heart and tell her - that's thee - that thou - that's me - lovest her - thee - and-and-well, I'm a miserable old man, and I've done it - and that's me!" But not a word about Fairfax! The price of thy silence is-Dame Carruthers: Meryll's heart?Meryll: No, Meryll's hand.Dame Carruthers: It's the same thing!Meryll: Is it?
- Action Dad: A former soldier, although still willing to "face the foreign foe."
- Deadpan Snarker: Much like his children.
- Eleven O'Clock Number: Rapture, Rapture/Doleful Doleful, his duet with Dame Carruthers just before the Finale when she has manipulated him into marrying her.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Like Cholmondeley. He seems to be a kindly Sergeant.
- Team Dad: Tends to be portrayed as dad to most of the Tower Residents who are young enough to be his offspring - usually including Cholmondeley and Fairfax. Mostly evidenced in a scene before the Act One Finale.Fairfax: My good and kind friend, thou runnest a grave risk for me!Meryll: Tut, sir, no rish. I'll warrant none here will recognise you. You make a brave Yeoman, sir! So—this ruff is too high; so—and the sword should hang thus. Here is your halbert, sir; carry it thus. The Yeomen come. Now remember, you are my brave son, Leonard Meryll.Fairfax: If I may not bear mine own name, there is none other I would bear so readily.Meryll: Now, sir, put a bold face on it, for they come.
Leonard Meryll his son
Sergeant Meryll's son and elder child, coming back to London from Windsor to join the Yeomen of the Guard.Jack Point a strolling jester
A strolling player who arrives at the Tower with Elsie. He later becomes Cholmondeley's jester.- Anti-Hero: Damnably depressing (and, indeed, depressed), but still usually portrayed as being more heroic than Fairfax.
- Court Jester: He starts out as a Wandering Minstrel, but manages to land a gig as jester in Cholmondeley's court.
- Jerkass Woobie: He's selfish and he can be unpleasant, but it's hard not to feel bad for him at the end.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: The levels of "jerk" and "heart of gold" very depending upon the production, but he tries his best.
- Sad Clown: A professional jester, but is depressed throughout most of the play as he has a very sad character arc.
