PAN TADEUSZ: a young man who has just returned to the country after completing his studies in Vilna
JUDGE SOPLICA: Tadeusz’s uncle, owner of Soplicowo, a gentry estate where most of the action takes place
JACEK SOPLICA: Tadeusz’s father and the Judge’s brother; a former local troublemaker rumored to have died abroad some years ago
TELIMENA: a relative of the Judge, also related to the Count; Zosia’s guardian
ZOSIA (or more formally ZOFIA): granddaughter of the late Pantler; raised by Telimena, though her upbringing was partly paid for by Jacek Soplica
FATHER ROBAK: a Bernardine monk
THE CHAMBERLAIN: the doyen of the Judge’s circle of eminent local guests
THE WARDEN: a permanent house guest of the Judge’s
PROTAZY THE BAILIFF: a retired court official who acts as the Judge’s butler
ASSESSOR AND NOTARY: local officials and hunting enthusiasts
PANTLER HORESZKO: a magnate, former owner of the castle, who was shot and killed by Jacek Soplica almost twenty years before the story begins
THE COUNT: a wealthy nobleman and distant relative of the Pantler
GERWAZY THE STEWARD: the Pantler’s former servant
MACIEJ DOBRZYŃSKI: leader of an impoverished clan of Polish gentry living in the settlement of Dobrzyn. Other Dobrzyńskis include the fighters known as Sprinkler or Baptist; Razor; and Watering Can
MAJOR PLUT: a russified Pole who commands the local Russian army garrison
CAPTAIN RYKOV: his Russian second-in-command
GENERAL HENRYK DĄBROWSKI: a real-life historical figure, who raised Polish legions in Italy and led Polish units in various Napoleonic campaigns