The Hobbits:
* Bilbo Baggins: The protagonist, a timid hobbit who embarks on an adventure with the dwarves.
* Thorin Oakenshield: The leader of the dwarves, a proud and determined warrior.
* Fili and Kili: Thorin's nephews, brave and loyal dwarves.
* Dwalin, Balin, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur: The other dwarves in Thorin's company.
The Wizards & Elves:
* Gandalf the Grey: A powerful wizard who guides the dwarves and Bilbo on their journey.
* Elrond: A wise and noble elf who helps Bilbo decipher the riddle of the inscription on the door to the mountain.
* Thranduil: The King of the Woodland Elves, a proud and powerful ruler.
* Legolas: A skilled archer who appears briefly in the book (he has a more prominent role in the Lord of the Rings).
The Creatures:
* Gollum: A creature who lives in the caves beneath the Misty Mountains, known for his riddle-loving nature and his obsession with the One Ring.
* Smaug: A fearsome dragon who guards the dwarves' treasure in the Lonely Mountain.
* The Trolls: Three trolls who attempt to capture Bilbo and the dwarves but are tricked by Gandalf.
* The Wargs: Wolf-like creatures that serve the goblins.
* The Goblins: Creatures who live in the dark depths of the Misty Mountains, known for their cruelty and their love of treasure.
Other Important Characters:
* Bard: A skilled archer and the last of the Men of Dale, who fights against Smaug and ultimately helps reclaim the city of Dale from the dragon's clutches.
* Beorn: A powerful shapeshifter who aids the dwarves and Bilbo in their journey.
* Radagast the Brown: A wizard who is a friend of Gandalf and lives in the forest.
* The Master of Lake-town: The greedy and corrupt leader of the town who attempts to exploit the dwarves' treasure.
This is not an exhaustive list, as there are many other characters who appear in the book, even if only briefly. But these are the most important ones and the ones you are most likely to encounter.