Abigail Williams: A young woman who is the niece of Reverend Parris. Abigail is manipulative and cunning, and she becomes the central figure in the witch trials that grip the town.
Reverend Samuel Parris: The minister of Salem and uncle to Abigail Williams. Parris is strict and lacks compassion, which contributes to the growing tension within the community.
John Proctor: A farmer and former town official who is honest and straightforward. Proctor has a complex relationship with Abigail and becomes involved in the conflict between her accusations and the trials.
Elizabeth Proctor: John Proctor's wife, a strong and moral woman who is wrongly accused of witchcraft. Elizabeth represents the innocent victims caught up in the hysteria.
Giles Corey: A respected farmer who is accused of witchcraft and refuses to confess. Corey's defiance and eventual death highlight the injustices of the trials.
Mary Warren: A young servant in the Proctor household who is easily influenced by Abigail and eventually testifies against Elizabeth. Mary represents the vulnerability of those caught in the midst of the hysteria.
Rebecca Nurse: A kind and elderly woman who is falsely accused of witchcraft. Nurse's wisdom and compassion contrast with the malevolent forces that drive the trials.
Ezekiel Cheever: The constable of Salem, who is responsible for arresting those accused of witchcraft. Cheever blindly follows authority, illustrating the dangers of unchecked power.
Judge Danforth: The Deputy Governor of Massachusetts, who presides over the witch trials. Danforth is determined to uphold the law, but his lack of understanding and compassion contributes to the injustice.
Reverend John Hale: A minister from Beverly who is called to Salem to investigate the witchcraft allegations. Hale initially believes in the existence of witches but eventually comes to question the veracity of the accusations.
These characters, along with several others, play crucial roles in the story and contribute to the play's exploration of themes such as mass hysteria, the abuse of power, and the search for truth and justice in a time of great turmoil.