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.
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.
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.
Padre Damaso
Dmaso Verdolagas also known as Padre Damaso is a Franciscan friar
who had been parish priest of San Diego for 20 years. In the novel, Damaso
is described as an enemy of Don Rafael Ibarra, a mestizo patriarch who is the

father of the novel's protagonist Crisostomo. Damaso is also the biological

father of Maria Clara, Crisostomo's sweetheart. He secretly impregnated
Dona Pia Alba, wife of San Diego town chief Santiago de los Santos.
With his hatred with Don Rafael, Damaso became hostile to
Crisostomo, as evidenced in the novel. Damaso continued to insult Ibarra
and in a party, the latter lost his cool and physically attacked the former. As
a result, Crisostomo was excommunicated by the archbishop but was later
pardoned by the captain general.
With the attack, Damaso persuaded Maria Clara not to marry
Crisostomo. Damaso offered a Spanish man named Linares as Maria Clara's
husband and
At the end of the novel, Damaso was transferred to another
town, where he later died.
Don Rafael Ibarra
He is father of Crisostomo Ibarra. He was a rich and brave man.

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.

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
Seven-year-old son of Sisa, who always wear tattered clothes. He is
Sisa's favorite as he often talks about silly things. He has large, thoughtful
eyes that brought smiles to his mother's lips.

Crispin is very afraid of the harsh treatment he receives as well as the

accusations that he is a thief. He becomes regretful for not stealing the
money he is accused of especially when he thought of the comforts it would
bring. He is said to be smarter than his brother as the latter had plans of
sending him to study in Manila in the future after being taught by
Pilosopong Tasio.
Basilio
Ten-year-old son of Sisa. Basilio is protective of both his mother and
brother. He despises his father for making their life miserable. He becomes a
c
Padre Bernardo Salvi
Franciscan friar who was the curate of San Diego. Padre Salvi was described as wistful. He is said to
be very strict in fulfilling his duties and would not do anything that will dishonor his reputation. He is the kind of
priest who would close the church doors during his sermons. He rarely resorts to physical punishments, as he
imposes fines on his erring subordinates. He also prefers to do constant abstinence and fasts which accounts
for his poor health.
Padre Salvi is said to be the rival of the alferez. He is said to be a hypocrite and a miser. He was the curate
who had punished Crispin severely for the missing gold in the collection box. He gradually became inattentive
and taciturn after the latter's death. He has also slept very little and had poor appetite. He schemes and did
quite a job at blackmailing Maria Clara regarding her paternity.

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.
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/sage (hence, Pilosopo Tasyo) 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).

Filsofo Tacio was born into a wealthy Filipino family. His mother let him be formally educated, then
abruptly 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.

Alferez
Alfonso Linares
Gobernador Heneral
Don Tiburcio de Espanada
Elias
Elis came from the family which the Ibarra clan had oppressed for generations. He grew up
in a wealthy family until he discovered something that changed his life forever. Despite that Ibarra's
family subjugated his family, he is entirely indebted towards him. He is also the one who pushed
Ibarra away from being crushed by a huge tombstone during his father funeral. Furthermore, Ibarra,
who in turn, saved Elas' life when they tried to kill a crocodile. Elias helped him again before Ibarra
gets arrested by burning his house. Elias and Ibarra continued supporting each other until Elias
sacrificed himself to help him one last time. He was shot by the guards (mistakenly took as Ibarra
trying to dive down the river and escape) and slowly died.

Don Filipo
Captain Pablo
Tarcilo and Bruno
Pedro
Old Tacio