don Pablos (Paul)
Son of a thief and a witch/whore, Pablos, the protagonist of the story, travels all over in search of happiness. He stops attending school, is sent to be ward of a man in Segovia, is treated horrifically by this man, is sent to study in Alcalá with a dear friend who then abandons him upon his father’s demand (due to Pablos’ bad family connections), then upon getting word of his father’s hanging and mother’s imprisonment, heads back to Segovia to collect inheritance from his Uncle, along the way meeting an array of characters who effect him in some way or another. Pablos realizes that changing your location won’t change your problems. The development of his character throughout the text is interesting to watch.
don Diego
Friend of Pablos who meets in school, they leave school together, live under Cabra together, study in Alcalá together until Alonso (Diego’s father) writes him, stating that he is no longer allowed to be Pablos’ friend due to the recent hanging/imprisonment of his parents.
Alonso Coronel de Zuñiga
Father of Diego - takes Pablos under his wing, sending both boys to be a ward of Cabra. Then saving them from Cabra and sending them to study in Alcalá. Later disapproves of Pablos as his family’s reputation worsens and forbids Diego to be friends with him any longer.
Cabra
Teacher in Segovia who starves the children to the point where one ultimately dies of starvation. Diego and Pablos write to Alonso in order to be saved from the awful place.
Alonso Ramplón
Unclr of Pablos, well respected man of Segovia. Responsible for giving Pablos his rightful inheritance.
