The Bear Characters

Elana Ivanova Popova (Popova) is a widow and landowner. She is incredibly dramatic and somewhat vain, making a dramatic show of mourning her dead husband. Popova thinks only of her own emotions and is… read analysis of Popova

Grigory Stepanovitch Smirnov (Smirnov) is a landowner who arrives at Popova’s home to collect debts from her late husband. He is uncompromising, self-important, and somewhat brutish—the titular “bear.” He demands to see Popova… read analysis of Smirnov

Luka is Popova’s butler. He is incredibly loyal to his mistress and looks out for her best interest, begging her to rejoin society and shooing away Smirnov repeatedly. He takes on Popova’s troubles, falling… read analysis of Luka

Nicolai Mikhailovich is Popova’s deceased husband. The play takes place on the seven-month anniversary of his passing, which his widow is still very much mourning. After Popova reveals that he was not a loyal… read analysis of Nicolai Mikhailovich