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Noli Me Tangere
The Characters
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y Magsalin, commonly known as Ibarra, is a wealthy young man of a mixed Spanish and Filipino ancestry who grew up in the Philippines but he spent his time studying in Europe for seven years. Ibarra is known as a cultured, well-respected and idealistic man, although the friars in his hometown are suspicious of him. Hoping to carry out his father’s dreams and ideals, he decided to build a secular school in San Diego.
Maria Clara
Maria Clara Delos Santos Y Alba is a woman well-regarded in San Diego for her high social standing. She is the daughter of Capitan Tiago and Doῆa Pia Alba who died while delivering her. Having grown up together as a childhood friends, Maria Clara and Ibarra are engaged to be married even though her godfather, Father Damaso is displeased with this arrangement and does what he can to interfere. Eventually, when she hears about Ibarra’s apparent death,
she calls off her marriage with Linares and decided to enter a convent.
Padre Damaso
Father Damaso is a Spanish Friar living in the Philippines and the former curate of the Parish church in San Diego. He is an arrogant, shameless and pedantic priest who doesn’t control his words when speaking. It was also discovered that Father Damaso is Maria Clara’s biological father which puts him in a position of power over Ibarra’s engagement.
Elias
Elias came from the family which the Ibarra clan had oppressed for generations. He is a man who resents both the Spanish colonial government and Catholic Church despite of his strong religious convictions. After Ibarra saves his life from a vicious crocodile, he swears to protect the young man from his enemies.
Padre Salvi
Father Salvi is a Spanish friar who takes over Father Damaso’s post in San Diego as the
town’s priest. He is a meticulous and cunning man who uses his religious stature for political influence, benefiting both himself and the church. He is often at odds with the town’s military ensign, fighting for the power. For instance, he ruined the life of Ibarra who is engaged with Maria Clara, the woman who Father Salvi secretly loves.
Kapitan Tiago
He is the father of Maria Clara who bears strong ties with the friars. Despite dethroning
his daughter to Crisostomo Ibarra, he was prompt to turn his back at him when Ibarra was indicted for rebellious acts. For the sake of his social standing, he approved of Alfonso Linares and conspired a new engagement for Maria Clara together with Padre Damaso.
Basilio
He is the older brother of Crispin who also works as a sexton to support their mother,
Sisa. He managed to escape from the hands of the sexton and tried to locate his brother but his efforts were futile. They were being tracked by the Civil Guards he managed to run through the forest and when he was able to locate his mother, it was already too late for she was no longer able to identify him; he fainted and when he awoke, it was already too late.
Sisa
She is the mother of Crispin and Basilio. She suffered poverty and constant violence
from his oppressive husband. Searching for his lost sons, her clothes were tattered and she already lost her sanity which made her unable to recognize her lost son.
Crispin
He is a young caretaker of the church, younger brother of Basilio and son of Sisa. He is accused of stealing money and is therefore tortured and brutally beaten by the head sexton until the debt is paid. It was said that he has died because of the physical abuse though it was not clearly stated in the novel and there is no valid proof to support this statement.
Pilosopo Tasio
Also know as Don Anastasio. He is the philosophical old man in the town of San Diego where people view him as a
madman. He is a valuable friend of the Ibarras and he advices them as they make valuable decisions in life.
Other Characters
The Ensign (Ang Alperes)
He is the head of the guardia civil in the town of San Diego who is currently having a power struggle with Padre Salvi. He competes with the friar to who will really rule the town. He even used his powers to impose curfews in a way that people cannot attend masses led by Padre Salvi. He is the husband of Doña Consolacion who he argues with often.
Doña Consolacion
She is also known as the “Muse of the Guardia Civil” for she is the wife of the Ensign. She of Filipino descent who disgusts speaking her current language despite her inability to speak in other dialects or language. She feels very beautiful despite others see her as otherwise. She always fights with his husband for she always meddle with his decision making
Lt. Guevarra
He is of Spanish descent but holds the Ibarras of high regard. He tried to help the elder Ibarra be free from the prison despite him being a lieutenant of the Civil Guards. Despite that, he supported Ibarra and is openly disgusted by the rule of the previous head friar, Padre Damaso.
Don Tiburcio de Espedaña
He is a fraud who was dismissed from his position as a customs officer and pretended to be a doctor to make a living. He does not have any medical experience but extort fees from his patients and as soon as his patients become knowledgeable of his schemes, he quickly transfers from one place to another. He found himself in the town of San Diego where he continues his practice.
Doña Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaña
She is the wife of the fraud doctor. A determined social climber who would do everything to gain fame and wealth. She is old but still feels like she is on her prime when other people see otherwise. She is the aunt of Linares, the person who is set to marry Maria Clara which would entail the ascendance of their status despite being frauds.
Alfonso Linares
Another fraud who forged his way along the ranks to gain fame. He is the nephew of another fraud, DoñaVictorina de los Reyes de Espadaña and Don Tiburcio de Espedaña.
The mother figure that Maria Clara had known. She took care of Maria since her real mother, Pia Alba died.
Padre Sibyla
He is the complete opposite of Padre Damaso and Padre Salvi. He is a priest serving in the Binondo district in the city of Manila. He is also a shrewd orator who enjoys tormenting Padre Damaso during Ibarra’s welcome party.
Filipo Lino
He is the vice mayor of the town and represents the younger, more free generation of the town that is not solely bound by the hands of the church. He does not like the idea of spending much money for the town fiesta but his words were no use as he is only the vice mayor.
The Mayor
This nameless figure is a puppet of the church and only abides by the things that the Catholic church says. One might say he is a dog of the church.
The Yellow Man
The nameless figure that attempted to assassinate Crisostomo Ibarra during the opening of his school.
The School Master
Another nameless figure who gave the younger Ibarra advice as he attempts to open a school that his father had wanted.