IMO, you can't Duplicate Characters. Only Props.

Select the Prop in Scene Manager while holding-down Ctrl Key, for the first Duplicate. If you want to Multi-Duplicate, Select the Original & Duplicate, while holding-down Ctrl Key & so-on.

Then Select the Move Tool (While still holding-down Ctrl Key). The Duplicate then appears in Scene Manager & Drag the Duplicate(s), while holding-down the Shift Key, to Postion it/them.

It's a bit fiddly & needs some practise.

BTW - iC5 has a new Multi-Duplicate Tool Feature.

I'll double-check the above in iC5, here, without using the Multi-Duplicate Tool.

Done - See Screenshot:

Anyone-else?.

Thanks for your thanks:)

BTW-You only need to hold-down the Shift key when Dragging a Prop Snapped to Grid. If you don't, the Prop will jump to the next Grid line & not where you want it.