Middlemarch

Main Characters and Their Development

• Dorothea Brooke - a young, idealistic aristocrat eager to contribute to the world. She begins her story with a marriage of convenience to Edward Casaubon, hoping to assist and support him in his scholarly pursuits, but gradually realizes the limitations of her choice and starts seeking her own path to self-realization.
• Tertius Lydgate - a young and ambitious doctor aiming to revolutionize medical practice in his time. Lydgate faces social prejudices and financial difficulties that complicate his personal and professional life, especially after marrying Rosamond Vincy.
• Fred Vincy - a young man from an aristocratic family, Rosamond's brother, who squanders his life and struggles to find his place. His debts and reckless actions lead to family crises, but Fred gradually changes, finds his calling, and becomes more responsible.
• Rosamond Vincy - a high-society beauty, self-centered and dreaming of a luxurious life. Her marriage to Lydgate becomes a trial for both, as her aspirations for luxury and social status clash with her husband's financial and moral principles.
• Will Ladislaw - a young artist and relative of Mr. Casaubon, who falls in love with Dorothea. Despite social obstacles and gossip, he strives to prove his worth and earn the right to be with Dorothea.