Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke is the narrator of this political pamphlet. He was an Irish statesman and philosopher who was part of the Whig political party. Burke is writing as himself and expresses his opinions about the French Revolution.
King James II of England
King James II was the King of England from 1685-1688. In 1688, the "Glorious Revolution" led to his deposition from the English throne. Burke argues that this was legitimate, and entirely different to the French Revolution, as this King James II was not legitimate.
Charles-Jean Francois Depont
This text is addressed to Depont, a French correspondent who asked Burke for his opinion about the French Revolution.
Richard Price
Richard Price was a British moral philosopher and political radical. He compared the French Revolution to the 'Glorious Revolution' that occurred in England in 1688. Burke criticizes this argument in Reflections on the Revolution in France.
King Louis XVI of France
King Louis was the reigning monarch of France during the French Revolution. He was executed in 1792. In this text, he is depicted as a noble and honorable king who had been divinely appointed.
Queen Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette was the Queen of France during the French Revolution and was married to King Louis XVI. In the text she is described as ethereal and enchanting: "glittering like the morning star, full of life and splendor and joy". Burke condemns a society that would allow harm to Marie and evokes the idea of male chivalry: "I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards to avenge even a look that threatened her with insult."
