Frodo Baggins
Frodo is the major character of the novel and this mainly because he has inherited the One Ring from his uncle, Bilbo Baggins. Frodo is a hobbit and as a timid and domestic personality, he is really ill-suited for the difficult journey ahead. He has quite an appetite for food and drink and song, and for most of The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo relies upon the help of his friends, Gandalf and Tom Bombadil.
Sauron
Sauron never makes an appearance in the novel but his power is certainly felt. He is known as the Dark Lord and he is the major villain in the novel. Morgoth was the first Great Enemy and Sauron has replaced him, reviving the ancient evil capital of Mordor. Now, he seeks the One Ring so that he can consolidate his power and rule over all.
Gandalf
Of the five great wizards in Middle Earth, there is only one wizard who is greater than Gandalf. This is Saruman, who unfortunately turned to the evil side. In his spare time, Gandalf makes fireworks for the hobbits but he reveals his powers as a true wizard. He helps the company and leads them through the caves of Moria, but he is brought down and dies in the bottomless chasm.
Strider/Aragorn
He meets the hobbits in a pub and with Gandalf's approval, he looks after the group and helps to protect them. Aragorn is the heir of Isildur and he belongs to the race of the men of Numenor. He helps to keep the group in order, after Gandalf dies.
Sam Gamgee
Sam proves to be Frodo's closest friend, accompanying him on his quest and refusing to leave his side even when all of the others have left him.
Tom Bombadil & Goldberry
A married couple. They offer assistance and lodging for the hobbits, early in their journey. Tom Bombadil also saves the hobbits from an overly aggressive tree in the Old Forest.
Bilbo Baggins
The hero of an earlier novel, The Hobbit, Bilbo is the uncle of Frodo. He gives Frodo the One Ring that causes all of this trouble.
Elrond Halfelven
The Master of Rivendell, the Last Homely House. He has medicinal powers and he is able to heal Frodo after he is attacked and wounded in the shoulder. He also plays a key advisory role at the Council of Elrond. He is descended from a man and an elf--thus, "halfelven." He had the choice to be mortal or immortal and chose the latter. As a consequence, he must leave Middle Earth when the time comes (most likely at the end of the War of the Ring).
Boromir
A man from Minas Tirith, city of Gondor in the south. His excessively martial spirit drives him to attack Frodo, in an attempt to wrest the Ring from him. He repents afterwards, but the Fellowship has been broken.
Legolas
An elf from Mirkwood, he is masterful with a bow. He is a member of the Fellowship and when the group is attacked by an immense shadowy figure, he successfully shoots it down.
Gimli
A Dwarf, the son of Gloin (one of Bilbo's associates in The Hobbit) who is a member of the Fellowship.
Merry and Pippin
two young hobbits who join Frodo on his journey.
Gollum
one of the villains of the novel. Gollum is a hideous creature who appeared in The Hobbit (Bilbo steals the ring from him). In this novel, Gollum spies on the fellowship and alerts Sauron's forces as to the group's whereabouts.
Farmer Maggot
is a farmer that Frodo remembers from his youth. Early in the adventure, the kind farmer supplies the travelers with as many mushrooms as they can eat.
Galadriel
a queen of the elves who live in Lothlorien. Her mirror enables Frodo to see the evil eye of Sauron. Galadriel owns one of the Rings, but she is willing to give up her magical powers if this is necessary for Sauron to be defeated.
Mr. Butterbur
the owner of the Prancing Pony, in Bree. He assists Frodo and the group when they cause a commotion in his establishment. He also gives them a letter sent by Gandalf.
Saruman
a mighty wizard and the instructor of Gandalf. Unfortunately, Saruman has joined the evil forces, hoping to use the ring to increase his power.
Balin
a dwarf whose efforts to restore a lost glory are unsuccessful. The travelers discover his grave in the caves of Moria.
Elbereth Githoniel
an ancient queen whose name is uttered in difficult situations.
