Belinda is a beautiful and vain young woman whose physical appearance makes her the center of attention in high society. She wears a sparkling cross and carefully curates two curled locks of hair that rest upon her smooth neck. Her days revolve around social events and complex beauty rituals. She readily attributes heavy significance to minor social interactions, relying on an unseen army of spirits to maintain her flawless presentation.

The Baron is a lord fixated on obtaining a physical token of his romantic conquests. He actively seeks out female attention and treats courtship as a masculine battle for dominance. He sets his sights specifically on Belinda's hair, willing to use fraud or force to obtain his prize. He views his actions as heroic victories rather than social violations.

Ariel is a guardian sprite assigned to protect Belinda's purity and vanity. He commands a large army of lesser sylphs and takes his protective duties quite seriously. He threatens severe physical punishments against any spirit under his command who fails their assigned protective charge. He actively attempts to block the actions of earthly suitors.

Clarissa is a pragmatic woman in Belinda's social circle who presents herself as a moral compass. She actively assists the Baron in his plot to steal Belinda's hair by providing the necessary weapon. She later delivers a long-winded speech arguing that society should value good humor over fading physical beauty, though her peers entirely ignore her advice.

Umbriel is a dusky gnome who thrives on emotional turbulence and human despair. He intentionally seeks out magical items to worsen Belinda's distress following her social humiliation. He gleefully observes the resulting chaotic brawls among the courtiers from a high vantage point.

Thalestris is Belinda's fiercely loyal and highly dramatic friend. She is deeply concerned with social reputation and the preservation of female honor. She aggressively fans the flames of Belinda's outrage and demands immediate, forceful action from the men in their circle to rectify the situation.

Sir Plume is Thalestris's beau, notable for his amber snuff-box and clouded cane. He is easily manipulated by his partner and proves highly ineffective when tasked with demanding the return of Belinda's hair. He represents the foolishness and lack of genuine authority in courtly men.

The Queen of Spleen is a powerful underworld goddess who rules over hysteria and emotional ailments. She controls the vapors that cause mood swings in women. She readily supplies her petitioners with magical containers filled with concentrated female sighs, sobs, and tears.

Shock is Belinda's beloved lap-dog. He represents the pampered luxury of high society and remains a constant companion during her daily routines. He sleeps lazily until precisely noon.

Ill Nature is an elderly handmaid to the Queen of Spleen. Her bosom is filled with lampoons, and she embodies the bitterness and spitefulness associated with aging socialites who have lost their influence.

Affectation is a young handmaid to the Queen of Spleen who faints into airs and languishes with pride. She represents false behavior and the performative nature of high-society illness, adopting whatever malady matches her current outfit.

Zephyretta is a specialized spirit assigned by Ariel to protect Belinda's fluttering fan. She is part of the light militia of the lower sky that works invisibly to maintain the perfection of high-society women.

Brillante is a sylph strictly tasked with guarding Belinda's crystal drops or earrings. She hovers near Belinda's ears to ensure no harm comes to the precious stones during the chaotic social gatherings.

Momentilla is an airy spirit specifically charged with overseeing Belinda's watch. She ensures that the timing of Belinda's day runs smoothly and without interruption from clumsy courtiers or bad weather.

Crispissa is the sylph tasked with the most critical mission of all: guarding Belinda's favorite lock of hair. Despite her efforts and Ariel's dire warnings, she is ultimately unable to stop the Baron's physical assault.