Captain Delano is a trusting American ship commander from Duxbury, Massachusetts. He takes pride in his benevolence and good manners, prompting him to offer immediate assistance to the troubled Spanish ship he encounters. Confronted with the strange atmosphere aboard the San Dominick, his inherent optimism and deeply ingrained racial biases shape his perception of the crew and passengers.

Benito Cereno is the 29-year-old Chilean captain of the Spanish ship San Dominick. He appears physically frail, experiencing frequent coughing fits and leaning heavily on his servant for support. His demeanor is gloomy, apathetic, and at times uncharacteristically impolite for a naval authority figure, creating a tense atmosphere during Delano's visit.

Babo is an enslaved man of small stature who serves as Benito Cereno's personal attendant. He maintains a constant physical proximity to the frail Spanish captain, supporting him during coughing fits and shaving him daily. He frequently answers questions on Cereno's behalf, taking an active role in managing the captain's interactions with their American visitor.

Atufal is a remarkably tall and physically imposing enslaved man aboard the San Dominick. He wears chains and moves with a regal bearing, maintaining an unyielding silence. According to the ship's internal rules, he must present himself to Captain Cereno every two hours to ask for pardon for an unspecified offense, though he consistently refuses to speak.

Alexandro Aranda is Benito Cereno's childhood friend and the enslaver of the passengers aboard the San Dominick. Though he succumbs to a fever before Delano boards the ship, his legacy and the grief over his death heavily influence Cereno's behavior. Cereno explains that Aranda believed his captives were docile enough to remain unshackled during the voyage.

Francesco is a young, elegant, multiracial servant aboard the San Dominick. He possesses a pleasant voice and graceful demeanor, serving the captains their frugal meal. Delano specifically notes his physical beauty and polite disposition.