Agnes in Gwen & Art Are Not in Love: Character Analysis

Overview of Agnes in Gwen & Art Are Not in Love

Agnes begins as a peripheral figure in Gwen’s daily life—a lady-in-waiting who helps her dress, walks with her, and is dismissed when convenient. Over the course of the novel, she emerges as a perceptive, loyal, and quietly defiant character who becomes one of Gwen’s few true confidantes and the romantic partner of Sidney, Arthur’s manservant. Her arc is one of underestimated agency: she observes more than she is given credit for, makes her own choices about love and loyalty, and ultimately stands beside Gwen during the chaos of the coup and its aftermath. While the narrative focuses on Gwen and Arthur, Agnes’s evolution from a background servant to a trusted friend and active participant in the story’s turning points is essential to understanding the novel’s themes of trust, identity, and the cost of concealment.

Plot Role

Agnes is woven into the story from the opening chapter, where she hears Gwen talking in her sleep and helps her dress, establishing her as a constant presence in Gwen’s private chambers. She is initially used as a prop in Gwen and Arthur’s fake romance—Gwen dismisses her so that the guards will believe the couple is meeting in secret, and Agnes is left startled and confused. Yet Agnes is not merely a passive observer. She attends the secret Morgan’s Day gathering with Gwen, where she leaves to find her own friends, showing that she has a social life independent of her duties. She also becomes romantically involved with Sidney, which places her at the center of the story’s secondary romance and gives her a stake in the events that unfold.

As the novel progresses, Agnes’s role expands. She is present when Gwen and Arthur plan their escape from the castle, offering practical advice on how to walk like a man. She is the one who reveals that she already knows about Gwen and Arthur’s arrangement, forcing Gwen to confront her own lack of trust. During the coup and the final battle, Agnes stands with Gwen on the battlements, helps her remove armor, and anxiously searches for Sidney in the aftermath. Her presence in these pivotal moments underscores her transformation from a servant who is dismissed to a companion who is relied upon.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Agnes’s motivations are rooted in loyalty, self-respect, and a desire for genuine connection. She is perceptive—she figures out Gwen and Arthur’s secret arrangement without being told, and she calls out Gwen’s assumptions about her character. In chapter 22, Agnes tells Gwen, “You still don’t know me at all, and we’ve spent every day together for years. I think you just wrote me off as some silly giggling woman, off gossiping about you, and – I never did any of that.” This moment reveals her honesty and her frustration at being underestimated. She does not gossip about Gwen, despite having ample opportunity, which shows her discretion and loyalty even when it is not reciprocated.

Agnes is also brave and independent. When Gwen orders her to cut off contact with Sidney in chapter 30, Agnes refuses, prioritizing her own relationship over her duty to the princess. This defiance is a significant act of self-assertion, especially given the power imbalance between them. She is also practical and resourceful, as seen when she advises Gwen on how to move and act like a man during their escape, and when she helps Gwen remove armor after the battle. Her actions consistently demonstrate that she is more than a background figure—she is a person with her own desires and convictions.

Chronological Arc

Agnes’s arc can be traced through several key phases. In the early chapters, she is a dutiful but distant servant. Gwen does not trust her, and even considers her untrustworthy in the deal with Arthur. Agnes is present but largely ignored, except when she is needed to maintain appearances.

The middle of the novel sees Agnes begin to carve out her own space. She attends the Morgan’s Day gathering, where she leaves Gwen to socialize with her own friends, and she develops a relationship with Sidney. This period also marks a shift in Gwen’s awareness of Agnes—she notices Agnes’s absence and snaps at her for being out late with Sidney, indicating that Agnes’s actions now have an impact on Gwen.

The turning point comes in chapter 22, when Gwen apologizes to Agnes for not trusting her. Agnes’s response—honest and slightly wounded—forces Gwen to acknowledge her own prejudice. From this point, Agnes becomes a true confidante. She is present during the birthday celebration, dances with Gwen, and later stands with her during the coup. In the final chapters, Agnes’s loyalty is unwavering: she refuses to abandon Sidney, she helps Gwen through the aftermath of the battle, and she shares in the relief when the four survivors return. Her arc is one of increasing visibility and agency, culminating in her role as a trusted friend and ally.

Relationships

Gwen and Agnes: The central relationship of Agnes’s arc. Initially, Gwen keeps Agnes at arm’s length, using her as a prop and assuming she cannot be trusted. Agnes, however, proves herself loyal and perceptive. Their reconciliation in chapter 22 is a pivotal moment, as Gwen admits she was wrong and Agnes accepts her apology. By the end of the novel, they are close enough that Agnes holds Gwen’s hand and runs with her to meet the survivors.

Agnes and Sidney: Agnes’s romance with Sidney develops quietly in the background. They are first seen talking in chapter 4, and by chapter 13 they are spending late nights together. Their relationship is a source of joy and stability for both characters. When Gwen orders Agnes to cut off contact with Sidney, Agnes refuses, showing that her commitment to Sidney is stronger than her obedience to the princess. In the final chapter, Sidney’s return is met with Agnes’s relief and embrace.

Agnes and the court: Agnes has her own social circle, as seen when she leaves Gwen to find her friends at the Morgan’s Day gathering. She is also part of the court’s gossip network, though she chooses not to spread Gwen’s secrets. Her ability to navigate both the servant and noble spheres makes her a valuable ally.

Key Decisions and Consequences

One of Agnes’s most significant decisions is to keep Gwen’s secret about the fake romance, even though Gwen never explicitly asks her to. This choice demonstrates her discretion and lays the groundwork for their eventual trust. Another key decision is her refusal to break off her relationship with Sidney when Gwen commands it. This act of defiance costs her nothing in the long run—Gwen does not punish her—but it establishes Agnes as a character with her own priorities. Finally, Agnes chooses to stand with Gwen during the battle’s aftermath, helping her remove armor and searching for Sidney. This decision reinforces her loyalty and her role as a supportive presence in Gwen’s life.

Themes and Symbolic Connections

Agnes’s character connects to several of the novel’s central themes. Her relationship with Gwen touches on self-worth and parental expectations—Agnes asserts her own value to Gwen, refusing to be dismissed as a “silly giggling woman.” Her defiance of Gwen’s order to cut off Sidney speaks to duty versus personal desire, as she prioritizes her own happiness over her duty to the princess. Agnes also plays a role in the performance of identity and gender, as she helps Gwen disguise herself as a man and offers advice on how to walk and act. Her presence at the secret Morgan’s Day gathering ties her to the theme of queer identity and the cost of concealment, as she participates in a space where women can gather away from the court’s scrutiny. Finally, her loyalty during the coup connects to political conspiracy and the abuse of power, as she stands with Gwen in the face of rebellion.

Questions and Answers

1. How does Agnes learn about Gwen and Arthur’s secret arrangement?

Agnes reveals in chapter 21 that she already knows about it, though the text does not specify exactly when she figured it out. She likely deduced it from observing their behavior, as she is perceptive and spends much of her time in Gwen’s chambers.

1. Why does Agnes refuse to cut off contact with Sidney?

In chapter 30, Gwen orders Agnes to stop seeing Sidney, but Agnes refuses because she values her relationship with him more than she fears Gwen’s displeasure. This act shows her independence and commitment to her own desires.

1. What does Agnes’s advice about walking like a man reveal about her?

In chapter 22, Agnes tells Gwen to “walk like you don’t care where your limbs are” and to act as if her crotch is a burden. This advice is practical and humorous, showing that Agnes is observant, down-to-earth, and willing to help Gwen in unconventional ways.

1. How does Agnes’s relationship with Gwen change over the course of the novel?

It evolves from one of distance and distrust to one of mutual respect and friendship. Gwen initially dismisses Agnes as untrustworthy, but after apologizing in chapter 22, she comes to rely on Agnes as a confidante and ally.

1. What role does Agnes play in the aftermath of the battle?

In chapter 38, Agnes helps Gwen remove armor, holds her hand, and anxiously searches for Sidney. She is a source of emotional support for Gwen, and her relief at seeing Sidney and the others return underscores her deep investment in the outcome.

For more on the novel’s broader themes, see the analyses of queer identity and the cost of concealment, duty versus personal desire, and the performance of identity and gender. You can also explore the ending explained or browse questions and answers for further discussion.