Baron
the proprietor of the castle of Westphalia and father of Miss Cunégonde
Candide
protagonist and illegitimate son of the Baron's sister
Miss Cunégonde
daughter of the Baron of Westphalia
Pangloss
tutor and oracle of the household
Old woman
benefactor to Candide after his separation from Pangloss, formerly a princess who has suffered unspeakable tragedies
Jacques the Anabaptist
benefactor to Candide killed during a shipwreck
Paquette
maidservant to the Baroness, one-time lover of Pangloss who re-appears toward the end of the story in Venice with Friar Giroflee
Don Issachar
Jewish merchant to whom Miss Cunégonde is sold, later killed by Candide in a confrontation over Miss Cunégonde
The Grand Inquisitor
lover to Miss Cunégonde whom Candide kills in cold blood
Franciscan priest
steals Miss Cunégonde's jewels at the tavern near Cadiz, later executed by the Grand Inquisitor
Don Fernando
Buenos Ayres governor who aggressively pursues Miss Cunégonde and keeps her as a mistress
Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh / Reverend Father Commandant
Miss Cunégonde's brother who twice refuses to consent to the marriage between his sister and Candide
Cacambo
Candide's trusted travel guide and companion sent to liberate Miss Cunégonde from Governor Don Fernando's custody
Sultan Achmet
second slavemaster of Cacambo whom Candide pays to secure Cacambo's liberty
Mynheer Vanderdendur
a Dutch trader who steals Candide's fortune and later dies; slavemaster whose brutality causes Candide to lose faith in the doctrine of optimism espoused by Pangloss
Abbé of Périgord
host to Candide in Paris who brings him to a theatrical performance
Miss Clairon
lead actress in the theatrical performance, a ravishing beauty who closely resembles Miss Cunégonde
Marchioness of Parolignac
guest at Miss Clairon's party who seduces Candide
Man of Letters
dubbed a "second Pangloss," anonymous guest at Miss Clairon's party who dazzles Candide with his intellectual brilliance
Martin
poor German philosopher whom Candide hires to keep him company on his travels in the latter half of the story
Friar Giroflee
lover to Paquette in Venice whose parents have forced him to lead a miserable life in a monastery
Senator Pococurante
a wealthy man who dislikes everything he possesses and lambastes the great geniuses of Western literature
Ragotsky
Transylvanian prince and slavemaster of Miss Cunégonde in Constantinople
