NOLI ME TANGERE (CHARACTER DESCRIPTION)

Crisstomo Ibarra
Juan Crisstomo Ibarra y Magsalin, commonly referred to the novel
as Ibarra or Crisstomo, is the protagonist in the story. Son of a Filipino
businessman, DonRafael Ibarra, he studied in Europe for seven years. Ibarra
is also Mara Clara's fianc. Several sources claim that Ibarra is also Rizal's
reflection: both studied in Europe and both persons believe in the same
ideas. Upon his return, Ibarra requested the local government of San Diego
to construct a public school to promote education in the town.
Maria Clara
Maria Clara de los Santos y Alba, commonly referred to as Maria Clara,
is Ibarras Childhood sweatheart and fiance. She is the daughter of Capitan
Tiago and Doa Pia Alba. The poor child only grew under the guidance and
supervision of Tia Isabel and Capitan Tiago's cousin.
In the later parts of the novel, Maria Clara discovers that her biological
father is not Capitan Tiago, but the San Diego's former curate and her known
godfather Padre Damaso instead.
Padre Damaso
He is a Franciscan Friar and the former parish curate of San Diego. He
is best known as a notorious character who speaks with harsh words and has
been a cruel priest during his stay in the town. He is the real father
of
Maria Clara and an enemy of Crisostomos father, Rafael Ibarra. Later, he and
Maria Clara had bitter arguments whether
she would marry Alfonso
Linares or go to a convent. At the end of the novel, he is again re-assigned to
a distant town and is found dead one day.
Capitan Tiago
Don Santiago de Los Santos, known by his nickname Capitan Tiago is a
Filipino Businessman and the cabeza de Barangay or head of the barangay of
the town of San Diego. In the novel, it is said that Capitan Tiago is the richest
man in the region of Binondo and He possessed real properties in Pampanga
and Laguna de Bay and He is also to be a good Catholic, friend of the
Spanish Government and was considered as a Spanish by Colonialists.

Pilosopo Tasyo
Don Anastacio, commonly known as Pilosopo Tasyo is one of the most
important characters in Noli. On the one hand, he is referred to as a
philosopher because his ideas were accurate with the minds of the
townspeople. On the other hand, if his ideas were against the thinking of the
majority, he was considered the Imbecile Tacio (or Tasyong Sintu-sinto) or
Lunatic Tacio (Tasyong Baliw).
Pilosopo Tacio was born into a wealthy Filipino family. His mother let
him be formally educated, then rudely ordered him to stop. She feared Tasyo
would become "too educated" and lose his faith and devotion to religion. His
mother gave him two choices: either go into the priesthood or stop his
education. Tasyo chose the latter because he had a girlfriend that time. Soon
enough, they married and after a year, Tasyo widowed while his mother also
died. Most of his time was taken up in reading and buying books that all his
properties were lost and he became poor.

Alfonso Linares
Alfonso Linares is described as a young, well dressed and educated
Spaniard. He is a young but dishonest lawyer, is the godson of Padre
Damaso's brother in-law, Carlicos, and is a distant cousin of Don Tiburcio in
Madrid. He is one of the smartest in the family and is said to have dined with
minor royalties in Spain. He is rather shy but was able to endure Ibarra's
stare disrespectfully.
Alfonso Linares was introduced in the latter part of the novel as a
substitute to cover up Doa Victorina's failure to have a child. The de
Espadaas have paid for his journey to San Diego so that he could get a job
and have a family. When Padre Damaso learns about it, he favored him
over Juan Crisostomo Ibarra as Maria Clara's fiance.
Padre Bernardo Salvi
Padre Bernardo Salvi is a Franciscan curate of San Diego, secretly
harbouring lust for Maria Clara. He is described to be very thin and sickly. It is
also hinted that his last name, Salvi is the shorter form of Salvi meaning

salvation, or Salvi is short for Salvage meaning bad hinting to the fact
that he is willing to killing an innocent child, Crispin, just to get his money
back, though there was not enough evidence that it was Crispin who has
stolen his 2 onzas.

Padre Fernardo Sibyla

He is a Dominican friar who is the curate of Binondo and had been a
former professor at San Juan de Letran College. Padre Sibyla is different
to Padre Damaso. He weighs his words and speaks little. He is often cool and
intelligent, especially when correcting the other friar. He respects etiquette
and does not mind giving away the seat of honor in the party at Calle
Anloague to the lieutenant, who declined.
Narcisa
Narcisa is married to the man named Pedro and the mother of Basilio
and Crispn. She depicts how Filipino mothers love their children undeniably.
After days when Crispin was held captive by Mang Tasyo, the owner of
the sacristy, she was arrested, locked up in the jail. Weeks later, she was
pardoned by the town Alferez and was released. However, when she returned
home, Basilio was also gone. When she found Crispin's clothes soaked with
blood, she grew crazy as she continues to find her children. At the end of the
novel, Basilio grievously mourns for his mother as he found her lying dead
under the tree.

Crispin
Crispin is Sisas seven-year-old son. An altar boy, he was unjustly
accused of stealing money from the church. After failing to force Crispin to
return the money he allegedly stole, Father Salvi and the head sacristan
killed him.
Basilio

Basilio is Sisas ten-year-old son. An acolyte tasked to ring the church

bells for the Angelus, he faced the dread of losing his younger brother and
failing his mother into insanity.
Don Tiburcio de Espanada
Don Tiburcio is an old limping Spaniard who practices quack medicine
in the town of San Diego. He is the husband of Doa Victorina. He was
introduced as one of the invited guests of Capitan Tiago in the latter's
welcome party for Juan Crisostomo Ibarra. He was known for charging
overpriced fees for his medical treatment.
But Don Tiburcio's life turned around when he learned of Doa
Victorina's desire for a Spanish husband. When they married, his wife had
furnished him carriages, new clothes, and false teeth. Eventually, his wife
had him pretend to be a doctor despite the fact that his only experience was
equivalent to that of a housekeeper. He collected exorbitant fees and was
even hired to be Maria Clara's personal physician. Although he prescribed the
same cure, the girl's condition seem to have improved. When Doa
Consolacion confronted Doa Victorina, Don Tiburcio would not do anything
for fear of the alferez and earned him the wrath of his wife. In the end, he
lost his practice and became his wife's lapdog.

Doa Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaa

She is an ambitious Filipina who classifies herself as Spanish and
mimics Spanish ladies by putting on heavy make-up.She had lots of
admirers, but she did not choose any of them because nobody was a
Spaniard. Later on, she met and married Don Tiburcio de Espadaa.
Dona Consolacion
Doa Consolacon once a laundry woman who worked for the town
Alferez. She became wealthy after marrying a Spanish husband. Despite that
they are rivals with Donya Victorina, they are somewhat common.
Don Rafael Ibarra
He is father of Crisostomo Ibarra. Though he is the richest man in San
Diego, he is also the most virtous and generous.
Padre Manuel Martin

He is the linguistic curate of a nearby town, who says the sermon

during San Diegos Fiesta
Dona Pia Alba
He is the wife of Capitan Tiago and mother of Maria Clara. She died
giving birth to her. In reality, She was raped by Padre Damaso so she could
bear a child.
Gobernador Heneral
Unnamed person in the novel, he is the most powerful official in the
Philippines. He is the most powerful official in the Philippines. He has great
disdains against the friars and corrupt officials, and sympathizes Ibarra.
Tiniente Guevara
He is a close friend of Don Rafael Ibarra. He reveals to Crisostomo how
Don Rafael Ibarras death came about.
Tia Isabel
She is Capitan Tiagos cousin, who raised Maria Clara.
Elias
Elias is Ibarras mysterious friend and ally. Elias made his appearance
as a pilot during a picnic of Ibarra and Maria Clara and her friends. He wants
to revolutionize the country and to be freed from Spanish oppression.
Don Filipo Lino
He is A close relative of Ibarra and a Filibuster. He is also the vice
mayor of the town of San diego, leader of the liberals.
Captain Pablo
He is the Leader of the tulisanes (bandits), whose family was destroyed
because of the Spaniards.
Tarcilo and Bruno
Tarcilo and Bruno is pair of brothers whose father was killed by the
Spaniards.

Pedro
He is the abusive husband of Sisa who loves cockfighting.
El hombre Amarillo
El hombre Amarillo also known as Tandang Madilaw is one of
Crisostomo Ibarras would-be assassins. He is not named in the novel, and
only described as such. In the Novel, He carved the cornerstone for Ibarras
school. Instead of killing Ibarra, he was killed by his cornerstone.
Lucas
He is the brother of the Taong Madilaw. He planned a revolution against
the government with Ibarra as the leader after he was turned down by Ibarra.
He was said to have a scar on his left cheek. He would later be killed by the
Sacristan Mayor.
Inday, Andeng and Victoria
Maria Claras other friends.
Reference : Noli Me Tangere (Touch me Not) ,Harold Augenbraum, Peguin
Books,2006