Harpagon is a wealthy, elderly Parisian whose extreme paranoia about losing his money dominates his life. He neglects his home, starves his horses, and treats his adult children as financial commodities to be traded for maximum profit. He buries his fortune in a strongbox in his garden, guarding it with chained Dobermans. He plans to marry the young, impoverished Marianne simply because her frugal habits will save him money.

Cleante is Harpagon's stubborn son. He values appearances and fashionable clothing, often relying on gambling to fund his lifestyle since his father refuses to share the family wealth. He is determined to rescue Marianne from poverty, placing him in direct opposition to his father's marriage plans.

Elise is Harpagon's daughter, a young woman deeply in love with Valere after he saved her from drowning. She worries about societal judgment regarding her relationship with a perceived servant. She fights to maintain her independence when Harpagon attempts to force her into a financially convenient marriage with an older man.

Valere is a charming young man of noble birth from Naples who survived a shipwreck as a child. To stay close to Elise, he disguises himself as a servant in Harpagon's household. He attempts to win Harpagon's favor through excessive, constant flattery, a strategy that frequently backfires and creates new obstacles for his romantic goals.

Marianne is a beautiful, impoverished young woman bound by her dying mother's wish that she marry a wealthy man. She finds herself trapped in an impending marriage to the elderly Harpagon, despite harboring strong romantic feelings for his son Cleante.

Frosine is a cunning, persuasive matchmaker who relies on her wit to make a living. She attempts to extract money from Harpagon by arranging his marriage to Marianne and using extravagant flattery, though she soon discovers that his extreme stinginess makes him an impossible target for her scams.

Master Jacques is Harpagon's dual-role servant, acting as both chef and coachman. He initially prides himself on telling his master the truth about his terrible reputation in Paris. After Harpagon orders him beaten for his honesty, Master Jacques decides to embrace lying and seeks revenge against his rival, Valere.

La Fleche is Cleante's loyal servant and partner in crime. He despises Harpagon's mistreatment and stinginess, readily talking back to him. He actively helps Cleante scheme to secure the funds needed to marry Marianne, ultimately taking physical action against Harpagon's property to force a resolution.

Seigneur Anselme is a wealthy older man from Naples who made his fortune in the ivory trade. Harpagon selects him to marry Elise entirely because Anselme is willing to finalize the marriage without demanding a dowry.

Master Simon is a financial broker who connects lenders with borrowers. He inadvertently creates a volatile situation by arranging a high-interest loan between an anonymous lender and a desperate young borrower, without realizing they are father and son.