* The Ambitious Guest: This unnamed young man is the central figure in the story. He is ambitious and desires fame and fortune, even at the cost of his morals.
* The Old Man: A wise and experienced mountain resident who cautions the Ambitious Guest about the dangers of ambition.
* The Old Woman: The wife of the Old Man. She is described as being equally wise and insightful.
* The Landlord: The host of the inn where the characters gather. He is a jovial and friendly man who enjoys the company of his guests.
* The Young Woman: A young woman who is the object of the Ambitious Guest's affection. She is described as being beautiful and kind.
* The Child: A young boy who is present at the gathering. He is described as being innocent and curious.
There are also a few unnamed characters, such as the other guests at the inn and the people who live in the surrounding mountain community.
It's worth noting that Hawthorne's stories often focus on the internal struggles of his characters, rather than on their external actions. Therefore, the personalities and motivations of the characters are often more important than their names.