Dr. Elwin Ransom
Ransom is the main character and protagonist of the novel. He is a good-natured philologist whose experience with the language of Old Solar on Malacandra (Mars) has equipped him to be the reasonable choice for a mission to Perelandra (Venus). He is a salvific Christ-figure in both of the first two novels, and the symbolism is notable especially in this installment. His name is also indicative of this: Christ "gave his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45).
Dr. Weston
Dr. Weston is once again the novel's antagonist. In this volume, however, he is not the arrogant, idealistic materialist of Out of the Silent Planet: he has, in fact, been possessed by the Devil, and is attempting to convince Tinidril (Perelandra's Eve) to disobey a command from God and thereby cause the Fall of Man on Venus.
The Queen (Tinidril)
Tinidril is one of the major characters of the novel; she is the Perelandran equivalent of Eve, and is therefore the target of the Tempter in his efforts to cause another Fall. She is innocent yet wise, and she is described as being beautiful and human in shape, but with skin the color of emerald.
The King
The King, Tinidril's counterpart, is the Perelandran equivalent of Adam. He is far less important to the plot of the book than is the Queen, only appearing in the final scene, but his symbolic importance is not to be undervalued. At the end, he is given command and guardianship of Perelandra, along with his Queen.
Lewis (The Narrator)
The initial chapters of the novel are fictitious accounts from the perspective of C.S. Lewis himself, in which he travels to Ransom's house and has a very minor role in his adventure. His function is mostly perfunctory, but in dialogue with Ransom, he discovers some very important truths about the universe.
