Clare Quilty

Humbert’s shadow and double. Quilty is a successful playwright and child pornographer who takes a liking to Lolita from an early age. He was well aware of Humbert and Dolores’ actual relationship, and tracked them both down at Dolores’ schools, where he wrote a play depicting the moment he met Humbert (who was already suspicious at the time). After witnessing Dolores’ natural attractiveness, Quilty manipulates her into running away with him under the pretense he loves her, causing a love-stricken Dolores to comply. However, it is clear he only wants to use her as an actress for his child pornographic films, and does not actually care for her. When she refused to star in one of his films, Quilty dropped his pretense and kicked her out. A few years later, Humbert murders Quilty in his home after learning from a pregnant Dolores that he was the one responsible for her “kidnapping.”