- Alceste (first played by Molière)
- The protagonist and misanthrope of the title. He is quick to criticize the flaws of everyone around him, including himself. He cannot help but love Célimène though he loathes her behaviour.
- Célimène (first played by Armande Béjart-Molière)
- A young woman who is courted by Alceste, Oronte, Acaste, and Clitandre. She is playful and flirtatious, and likes to point out the flaws of everyone she meets behind their backs. Célimène pays much attention to social appearances.
- Philinte (first played by La Grange)
- A polite man who genuinely cares for Alceste, and recognizes the importance of occasionally veiling one's true opinions in a social context. He is mainly thought of as Alceste's foil.
- Acaste (first played by André Hubert)
- A young, pompous marquis who believes he is deserving of Célimène's love.
- Oronte (first played by Marie Claveau)
- An outgoing, seemingly confident man who also loves Célimène for a time. His insecurity is revealed when he is unable to handle Alceste's criticism of his love sonnet.
- Arsinoé (first played by Mlle. de Brie)
- A highly moralistic older woman who is jealous of the attentions which Alceste pours onto Célimène.
- Éliante (first played by Marquise-Thérèse de Gorla)
- Love interest to Philinte and cousin to Célimène, who initially pines for Alceste. She possesses a good balance between societal conformity and individual expression.
- Clitandre (first played by La Thorillière)
- Another marquis who attempts to woo Célimène and win her love, and enjoys gossiping with her about notable social figures.
- Basque
- Célimène's loyal manservant.
- Du Bois (first played by Louis Béjart)
- Alceste's farcically blundering manservant.
- Guard (likely first played by M. de Brie)
- A messenger of the Marshals of France who asks Alceste to answer for his criticism of Oronte's poetry.
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