René Gallimard
A French diplomat who is on assignment in Beijing. He desires a relationship similar to the one depicted in the opera Madame Butterfly, between Pinkerton and the submissive Madame Butterfly. He falls deeply in love with Song's performance of Madame Butterfly, and begins a relationship with her. Having been unlucky in love and described as a "wimp" by many people, Gallimard is eager to find someone he can dominate. To him, Song is the perfect woman, completely demure and willing to be submissive to him. Even after Song's deception is publicly revealed to him, Gallimard is unable to accept that his perfect woman is "just a man," dons the costume of Butterfly himself, and commits ritual suicide.
Song Liling
A Chinese actor who plays the role of the dan (the female) in Chinese opera. He manipulates Gallimard's affections in order to act as a spy for the Communist Party in China. After he is denounced in court as a man as well as a spy, Song is rejected by Gallimard as well. Song conceives of his entire performance as the "perfect woman" for Gallimard as a kind of acting job, but it is unclear if he develops any affection or feelings for Gallimard in the process. Song's greatest desire is to disappear into his role, to become his character, but he is ultimately burned by his affinity for acting. In the end, neither Gallimard nor the Communist party celebrates his contributions.
Marc
Gallimard's friend from youth who is described as "lewd" and "dangerous." He represents the Western ideal of masculine sexuality and acts as a foil to Gallimard's disillusionment and lack of self-confidence.
Renée
A brazen and confident Danish student with whom Gallimard has an affair. She has a theory that all the war and discord in the world can be attributed to phallic anxiety in men, the desire to compare penis size.
Helga
Gallimard's wife, a sensible and unimaginative woman.
Toulon
Gallimard's superior at the embassy, who gives him a promotion and welcomes him into the boys' club, before later having him sent back to Paris.
