Nicolas Barber

Nicolas Barber is the story's protagonist and narrator. He describes himself as a twenty-two year old impoverished clerical scholar. Though short, he is still favoured by women. The relevance of this statement is clear from the opening chapter describing Nicolas on the verge of committing adultery. Although he is a cleric, he seems shaky in his devotion to the Holy Order; he has committed adultery, gambled, and left the Holy Order without permission. In chapter one, Nicolas is fleeing from the husband of his lover, and stumbles upon a group of actors attending a dying friend. Nicolas also admits to cowardice often in the novel, as illustrated in his flight from the husband. As he acclimates himself to his new role, he faces a constant struggle between good and evil, always fearing that play-acting is itself a sin. The story Nicolas recounts is largely a description of...