* Westley: The hero, originally a farmhand who becomes a pirate and eventually the husband of Buttercup.
* Buttercup: The beautiful and strong-willed princess who is initially in love with Westley, but later tricked into marrying Prince Humperdinck.
* Prince Humperdinck: The evil prince who wants to marry Buttercup for political reasons.
* Vizzini: A Sicilian mastermind who challenges Westley to a duel.
* Inigo Montoya: A swordsman seeking revenge against the six-fingered man who killed his father.
* Fezzik: A giant who is forced to work for Vizzini.
* The Dread Pirate Roberts: Westley's alter ego as a pirate.
The story revolves around their adventures, but there is no mention of any grandson.