The Importance of Being Earnest

John Worthing is a carefree, respectable-looking gentleman who invents a fictitious brother named Ernest to justify his escapes to London. In the metropolis, he adopts the Ernest persona and wins the affection of Gwendolen. His pursuit of love collides with Lady Bracknell's demand for a respectable lineage. A revelation ties his identity to the country estate via Miss Prism's long-ago misplacement at Victoria Station.

Algernon is John's mischievous friend who thrives on bending social norms. He visits the country under the guise of Ernest, quickly becoming enchanted with Cecily. He pretends to be Ernest and falls in love, fueling the comedy of mistaken identities. His schemes drive much of the plot’s chaos until reconciliation arrives.

Gwendolen is Algernon's charming cousin and John Worthing’s beloved. She is enamored with the name Ernest, claiming she could only marry a man bearing that name. Her confident romanticism and insistence on appearances propel the story’s flirtations and misunderstandings. She embodies society’s playful yet stringent expectations about love and status.

Cecily is John Worthing’s ward living at the country estate, under Miss Prism’s care. She has embraced the Ernest legend and falls for Algernon when he arrives posing as Ernest. Her romantic daydreams and earnest nature contrast with social propriety and drive the plot’s romantic mischief. Her feelings help bring the couples together in the end.

Lady Bracknell is Gwendolen’s formidable mother who guards the family’s social pedigree. She scrutinizes John Worthing’s lineage and rejects his suit unless a respectable background can be proven. Her rigid standards expose the era’s obsession with class, respectability, and proper matches. Her decisions steer the plot toward resolution, testing everyone’s acceptability.

Miss Prism is Cecily’s governess and the absent-minded nurse who once misplaced a baby at Victoria Station. She serves as a crucial link to the past, whose confession helps resolve the central identity twist. Her proper demeanor and inadvertent secrets add to the farcical tension. She anchors the plot with a blend of decorum and chance.

Reverend Chasuble is the local clergyman who embodies the era’s ritual and social etiquette. He participates in the light humor surrounding ceremonies and names. His gentle naivety and good-natured presence add to the play’s satire of earnestness and propriety. He provides a steady, courteous foil to the characters’ schemes.

Lane is Algernon’s servant who observes the country-house farce from the sidelines. He witnesses the deceptive games and the social discipline of the roles being played. His practical, observant presence underscores the class-conscious dynamics of the plot. Lane contributes a touch of servant-class wit to the overall humor.