Tityrus is a former slave who herds sheep in the countryside. He traveled to Rome in abject poverty and successfully petitioned a mysterious young leader to let him keep his land. He now enjoys a peaceful life, playing music and spending time with his current partner.

Meliboeus is a free-born Roman shepherd forced to leave his ancestral farm due to military land confiscations. Distressed by the loss of his home, he must relocate to the far reaches of the Roman world. He later reappears in a brighter setting, taking a break from his chores to judge a singing contest.

Corydon is a lovelorn shepherd deeply obsessed with a young slave. He catalogs his rustic wealth, his good looks, and the beauty of nature in hopes of wooing the boy. Despite his gentle and modest demeanor, he ultimately struggles to capture his target's attention.

Menalcas is a shepherd and skilled poet who participates in multiple musical exchanges. Initially presented as a chaotic figure who slashes vines and fiercely competes in a singing contest, he also acts as a doting mentor to younger musicians. He eventually loses his farm to an interloper, forcing his household to relocate.

Gallus is a Roman elegiac poet transported into the pastoral world of Arcadia. He suffers intensely from the pangs of unrequited love after his partner leaves him. His profound grief causes the woodland gods and nature itself to mourn alongside him.

Alexis is a beautiful young slave and the object of Corydon's intense romantic desires. Despite receiving many gifts and promises of a shared life in a humble cottage, he scorns the shepherd's advances.

Damoetas is a competitive shepherd who engages in a heated, insult-laden singing contest with Menalcas. Accused of stealing milk from his master's flock, he fiercely defends his skills and wagers a finely decorated drinking cup against his rival.

Palaemon is a passing shepherd drafted to judge a poetic competition between two hostile peers. After listening to their competitive verses about country love and farming, he impartially declares a tie between the two men.

Mopsus is a younger shepherd who shares an intergenerational friendship with an older mentor. Initially self-deprecating about his musical abilities, he performs a beautiful elegy for a deceased hero. In a separate event, he marries a woman who recently abandoned her previous fiancé.

Thyrsis is a shepherd who enters a singing match against Corydon. His verses are notably harsher and more aggressive in tone than his opponent's, offering a contrasting style of poetry during their rural competition.

Damon is a heartbroken shepherd who sings a tragic song after his betrothed leaves him. Fixated on memories of their first meeting in an orchard, he falls into despair and longs for the ocean to swallow the forest.

Nysa is a young woman who breaks her betrothal to Damon. Her decision to marry a rival shepherd leaves her former fiancé in a state of suicidal despair.

Alphesiboeus is a jilted lover who takes drastic action to mend her broken heart. Fixated on the future, she performs binding rituals and burns magical herbs in an attempt to forcefully draw her ex-boyfriend back from the city.

Daphnis is the former boyfriend of Alphesiboeus. After he leaves her to live in the city, he becomes the target of her powerful folk magic and binding spells, which she uses in an attempt to compel his return.

Moeris is an elderly slave and talented local musician. After his master loses his farm, Moeris is forced to drive sheep for a stranger, losing his home and his desire to sing in the process.

Lycidas is a young neighbor of Moeris who maintains his pastoral lifestyle. Deeply saddened by his friend's displacement, he tries to comfort the older man by reminiscing about their past songs and attempting to lighten the mood.

Lycoris is the former lover of the poet Gallus. She leaves him to pursue another relationship in snowy climes, causing Gallus profound sadness and inspiring his tragic fantasies of death.

Amaryllis is Tityrus's current girlfriend in the countryside. She provides him with monetary assistance and serves as the inspiration for his flute-playing as he relaxes under a beech tree.

Galatea is Tityrus's spendthrift ex-girlfriend. Her extravagant habits drained his finances, ultimately forcing him to travel to Rome in abject poverty to secure his future.

Silenus is a woodland god of drunken revelry. Two youths discover him resting in a cave, binding him with his own garlands to extract a song about the creation of the cosmos and violent mythological histories.

Mnasyllus is a young boy who stumbles upon a sleeping woodland god. Eager to hear the deity perform, he works with his friend to tie up the hungover immortal and demand a song.

Chromis is a youth who, alongside his friend Mnasyllus, restrains a sleeping woodland god in a cave. Together, they force the immortal to sing about the universe's creation.