Melchior
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Gabor, Melchior is a gifted schoolboy who is well-liked by his teachers and classmates.
Moritz
Moritz is the son of Rentier Stiefel. He is a very poor student, and most people do not understand why he and Melchior are such good friends.
Wendla
The fourteen-year-old daughter of Mrs. Bergmann, Wendla has grown up with Melchior and Moritz. She has one sister, Ina, who is married. She is an ordinary schoolgirl.
Mrs. Bergmann
Wendla's mother.
Ina Muller
Wendla's sister, married to Mr. Muller.
Mr. Gabor
Melchior's father.
Mrs. Gabor
Melchior's mother; like a second mother to Moritz.
Rentier Stiefel
Moritz's father.
Otto
A schoolboy; a friend of Melchior and Moritz.
George
A schoolboy; a friend of Melchior and Moritz.
Robert
A schoolboy; a friend of Melchior and Moritz.
Ernst
A schoolboy; a friend of Melchior and Moritz.
Hänschen
A schoolboy; a friend of Melchior and Moritz.
Thea
A schoolgirl; a friend of Wendla's.
Martha
A schoolgirl; a friend of Wendla's.
Ilse
A girl from the village who grew up with Wendla, Melchior, and Moritz, but who left school and now works as an artist's model.
Lämmermeier
A slightly older acquaintance of Melchior and Moritz.
Rektor Sunstroke
The schoolmaster.
Calflove
A teacher.
Thickstick
A teacher.
Stickytongue
A teacher who supports Melchior.
Bonebreaker
A teacher.
Flykiller
A teacher.
Catchemquick
The school porter.
Starveling
A teacher.
Pastor Skinnytum
The town's religious leader; he officiates at Moritz's funeral.
Friend Goatmilker
A friend and neighbor of Rentier Stiefel; Moritz's father.
Uncle Probst
Moritz's uncle; the provost.
Diethelm
A boy in the Reformatory.
Reinhold
A boy in the Reformatory.
Ruprecht
A boy in the Reformatory.
Helmuth
A boy in the Reformatory.
Gaston
A boy in the Reformatory.
Dr. Procrustes
The head of the Reformatory.
Locksmith
A locksmith who does some work at the Reformatory.
Dr. Fizzpowder
The Doctor consulted by Wendla's mother.
A Man in a Mask
A mysterious figure who appears only at the end of the play.
