Flaminio is Vittoria and Marcello's brother and Cornelia's son. Working as a secretary and aide to Bracciano, he schemes to elevate his poor family's social standing by orchestrating an affair between his married sister and his wealthy employer. He exhibits a cunning, manipulative personality and expresses willingness to break societal rules to attain the wealth he envies among the Italian elite.

Vittoria is a woman from a once-wealthy family who seeks to improve her social standing. Married to the naive Camillo, she finds herself drawn to the powerful Duke of Bracciano. In a restrictive patriarchal society with few avenues for mobility, she utilizes her sexuality and charm to climb the social hierarchy of Rome.

The Duke of Bracciano is a powerful and wealthy Italian nobleman. He enjoys immense privilege that insulates him from the legal consequences of his actions. Prone to acting on emotional impulses, he aggressively pursues Vittoria despite his own marriage to Isabella.

Count Lodovico is a violent nobleman whose excesses have resulted in his exile from the city. He views his punishment as deeply hypocritical, noting that men of higher station commit similar acts without facing consequences. He harbors resentment for his misfortune while remaining fascinated by the society that cast him out.

The Duke of Florence is a powerful political figure who values the appearance of propriety and state stability. He acts as a calculated counterbalance to the impulsive men of Rome. Protective of his family's reputation, he intervenes when public scandals threaten social order or his sister's happiness.

Camillo is Vittoria's husband, characterized by his naivete and slow wit. He possesses a fusty personality and easily falls victim to the manipulations of those around him. He suspects that other men covet his wife but fails to recognize the active deception occurring under his own roof.

Isabella is the devoted wife of Bracciano and the sister of the Duke of Florence. She struggles with the painful reality of her failing marriage, remaining attached to her husband even as he grows distant. Her deep love for him causes her immense emotional suffering and drives her to performative acts of piety.

Cornelia is the matriarch of an impoverished noble family. She adheres to strict moral codes and views her children's social-climbing tactics with profound horror. Her perspective provides a sharp contrast to the cynical, opportunistic attitudes that dominate Roman society.

Marcello is the youngest brother of Vittoria and Flaminio. He serves as a soldier under Francisco de Medici and maintains a sincere sense of piety. He refuses to compromise his values for wealth, putting him squarely at odds with his family's ambitious schemes.

Zanche is Vittoria’s Moorish servant and trusted confidante. She actively assists in facilitating the secret liaisons between Vittoria and Bracciano. She manages her social environment by leveraging the secrets she overhears.

Cardinal Monticelso is a powerful religious authority with immense political ambitions. He uses the institutions of justice and the church to advance his personal profile. He presents himself as a pious defender of public virtue while aggressively prosecuting the scandalous behavior of others.

Giovanni is the young son of Isabella and Bracciano. He demonstrates an early interest in military matters and tries to act with earnest dignity. He exists as an impressionable youth caught between his father's scandal and his mother's sorrow.

Antonelli is a courtier and loyal friend to Lodovico. He attempts to moderate his friend's volatile temper and works through political channels to secure a pardon for Lodovico's crimes.

Gasparo is a lawyer who associates closely with Count Lodovico. He tries to placate Lodovico's anger over being banished, offering pragmatic advice regarding his situation in Rome.

Doctor Julio is an underworld associate known for his expertise in lethal substances. He is hired to execute targeted, stealthy operations for the elite members of Roman society.