In the beginning of the play we are set with loads of drama. Everybody is in love with somebody. 3 men (Charles, Joseph, and Sir Benjamin) are in love with this lovely lady named Maria. Meanwhile Lady Sneerwell is head over heels for the flirting, gambling Charles. Sir Oliver is coming to town to decide which of his nephews are worth leaving his large amounts of money to. Oliver enlists the help of Rawley for this. His Nephews are unaware of the stakes that are held with their uncles visit. There is of course foreseeable drama here as Peter cannot stand Charles, but really cares about Joseph, his brother. However, Rawley cannot stand Joseph and adores Charles. Marriage troubles are deep between Lady Teazle and Sir Peter. Lady sneerwell plans to use this to make it look as if Lady Teazle is having an affair with Charles so Maria could not possibly be in love with Charles. This way Lady Sneerwell can be married to Charles and the Joseph to Maria. Seems like a fool proof plan, right? However, the craziness doesn’t even begin until Sir Oliver arrives to town. When sir Oliver gets to town he begins testing his nephews to see who truly deserves his riches. To test their character, he sends a phony letter from a relative of theirs (Mr. Stanley) asking for money. Sir oliver is pretending to be a money lender named Mr. Premium. Mr Premium goes to Charles and asks to buy all of his paintings of his ancestors. Ironically enough, Charles opts to sell every one of the paintings except for that of Oliver. This of course feeds Sir Oliver’s ego and he is pleased with Charles’ character. Next step of course is to test Joseph. When he visits Joseph he says that he is Mr. Stanley and asks for money. Unfortunately, ignorant Joseph tells “Mr. Stanley” to take a hike. Joseph is busy dealing with the fake affair drama. Joseph tells Peter that Charles and Lady Teazle are not having any affair. Charles eventually enters and then Peter hides in a box (tartuffe reference, anyone?) and hears that sir charles is not guilty. Charles becomes aware of Peter hiding in the box and tells him so.Then Lady Teazle (who has also been hiding in this room) sees Sir Peter and Sir Peter sees Lady Teazle. Of course then Lady Teazle reveals how she had been hiding the whole time and heard every thoughtful thing that Sir Peter said and it all made her very happy. They both vow then and there to work on their marriage together. Then of course the whole town has to decide who was having an affair with who because what play is complete without the gossip of a good chorus? Everyone comes to Josephs house where Sir Oliver reveals who he truly is and states that he thinks Charles is better suited to inherit his fortune. Lady sneerwell being the drama queen that she is then tries to say that Charles got her pregnant. (Drama queen much?) Luckily Snake (who was plotting with Sneerwell the whole time) reveals the truth to everyone in the end. This was Charles was able to marry Maria and they lived happily ever after…. Or did they?

Joseph is Charles’ brother, cunning and ambitious. He wants to marry Maria because of her money, and he plots with Lady Sneerwell to make this happen. He is promiscuous and propositions Lady Teazle to have an affair. He loves money and he refuses to help his poor relative, Stanley (really Sir Oliver in disguise), telling him that he has no money, even though this in not true.

Charles Surface

Charles is one of Sir Oliver’s nephews, madly in love with Maria. He is a young man who likes to spend money; he has a kind heart and is open about his flaws. He is grateful for the help his uncle provides and refuses to sell his portrait out of respect even when Mr. Premium (really Sir Oliver in disguise) offers to pay a fortune for it. Because of this, Charles is considered to be the worthy nephew.

Sir Oliver Surface

Sir Oliver is Charles and Joseph’s rich uncle, who has been in the East Indies for a long time. He sent his nephews money while he was away; once he returns, he wants to find out more about their true character in order to determine who is worthy to get his inheritance. To do this, he assumes the identities of Mr. Premium and Stanley to test them. He is kind and vigilant, not believing everything he hears about Charles and Joseph.

Sir Peter (Pete) Teazle

Sir Pete is an old gentlemen, very rich, who marries a young girl. He takes Joseph’s side and tells Sir Oliver about Charles’ behavior. He wants to separate from his wife because he thinks that she spends too much money; in the separation, he is willing to let her a large sum of money as a form of compensation. Ultimately, however, he decides against breaking up with his wife, and tries to reconcile with her.

Lady Teazle

Lady Teazle is Sir Pete’s young wife, described as very beautiful but vain, with a passion for having fashionable clothes. She and her husband have their little arguments and Lady Teazle thinks about having an affair with Joseph; however, she decides against it when she hears her husband talking about the money he intends to leave her.

Maria

Maria is a young girl, one of the only characters who doesn’t like to gossip. She can be viewed as a symbol for what is pure and good. She loves Charles, but Joseph tries to break them up; he almost succeeds when rumors are spread about an affair between Lady Sneerwell and Charles.

Lady Sneerwell

Lady Sneerwell is a widow, a wealthy woman who likes Charles and who is willing to do anything to break up Charles and Maria. She finds an ally in Joseph, and together they start to scheme. She is known for her tendency to spread rumors; because of this, she is very popular in her social circle.

Mrs. Candour

Mrs. Candor is one of Lady Sneerwell’s friends who also likes to spread rumors. She is a hypocrite because she affirms that spreading rumors is bad, even though she does this too.

Snake

Snake is Lady Sneerwell’s servant who helps her by spreading her rumors.

Moses

Moses is one of Charles’ money lenders, who helps Sir Oliver get in touch with his nephew.

"Since The School for Scandal, as a comedy of manners, focuses on the lives and flaws of upper-class people, we shouldn't be surprise that money or wealth being a strong theme in the play. Joseph is shown to be wise and proper but stingy with his money, while Charles is fun-loving and spends himself into debt but is willing to give money to a poor relative, valuing family over his own wealth. Money is also the main issue that plagues Sir Peter and Lady Teazle's marriage, since she loves to  spend more lavishly, to try to stay in fashion, to stay in good standing with high society. Sheridan thus shows how money played an important role in social standing, often to the point of causing interpersonal difficulties." Money is also the main core of the play. The whole purpose of Sir oliver coming to town is to decide which nephew deserves his money, while neither nephew is aware of this, it draws a focus to how each nephew spends his money and we wind up picking which nephew we would hope Sir Oliver chooses.

 Richard in the concluding lines of his “Prologue” seems to say
that although society itself is a school for scandal it is still possible to reform the scandal mongers.

"Bless'd were the fair like you; her faults who stopp'd,
And closed her follies when the curtain dropp'd!
No more in vice or error to engage,
Or play the fool at large on life's great stage."