Main Characters:
* Victor Frankenstein: The protagonist and creator of the monster. He is driven by ambition and a desire to defy nature, but his actions ultimately lead to tragedy.
* The Monster: Victor's creation, initially nameless but later referred to as "the creature" or "the fiend." He is intelligent, sensitive, and capable of both good and evil.
* Robert Walton: The Arctic explorer who hears Victor's story and records it in letters. He represents the potential for scientific progress and the dangers of unchecked ambition.
* Elizabeth Lavenza: Victor's adopted sister and later his wife. She is innocent, kind, and deeply devoted to Victor.
* Henry Clerval: Victor's childhood friend and loyal companion. He represents the positive aspects of human nature and acts as a foil to Victor's darkness.
* William Frankenstein: Victor's younger brother, murdered by the monster. His death is a turning point in the novel, deepening Victor's guilt and despair.
* Justine Moritz: A young woman wrongly accused of William's murder and executed. Her death highlights the theme of injustice and the monster's capacity for cruelty.
Other Important Characters:
* Alphonse Frankenstein: Victor's father. He is a loving and supportive figure who tries to understand and help his son.
* Caroline Frankenstein: Victor's mother and Elizabeth's adoptive mother. She is kind and loving, but dies when Elizabeth is young.
* The De Lacey Family: A blind old man, his daughter, and son. They represent the possibility of human connection and acceptance, and the monster finds solace in their company.
Note: There are also several minor characters who play smaller roles, such as the villagers and the people involved in the trials of Justine. However, the characters listed above are the most significant to the story's plot and themes.