The Visit: characters

Claire Zachanassian

Claire Zachanassian, the protagonist, is formerly an outcast of the town of Güllen, she returns as a billionaire. Her wealth, power, and her spite for rejection and humiliation she faced, makes her a significant force in the play.
Claire is a character who embodies the fallouts of unethical capitalism. Accumulating wealth through her several marriages and deaths of her husbands signifies the moral decay due to greed and ambition.
Her request for the death of Alfred Ill in return for prosperity for Güllen exhibits a sense of distinct justice she administers and also ironically poses her as a potential saviour.

Alfred Ill

Alfred Ill is the most respected citizen of Güllen, and the man who betrayed Claire. His transformation from a respected citizen to a doomed man foregrounds the moral corruption that engulfs the town.
Alfred personifies the fear and guilt that slowly consume the town. His reaction to Claire’s proposal is one of the pivotal dramatic elements of the play.
His inevitable fall and acceptance of his fate reflect the extent of the moral decay and the desolation that greed precipitates.

The Town of Güllen

The township of Güllen is an important collective character. Its descent into moral bankruptcy is key to the plot.
Güllen’s grief at their penury and the eventual acceptance of Claire’s proposal capture the fragility of human morality when tempted with wealth.
The town’s acceptance of Claire’s retribution reflects the downfall into collective guilt, revealing a comment on the desperation bred by severe poverty.

The Schoolmaster

The schoolmaster is arguably one of the crucial minor characters in the play. He initially stands for justice, openly opposing Claire’s proposal.
However, his eventual succumbing to the lure of prosperity signifies the penetration of the townsfolk’s moral degradation to every layer of society.
His role highlights the innate human susceptibility to corruption when faced with dire situations.