K., the central figure in The Castle, embarks on his journey by arriving in a small town, having claimed employment as a surveyor by the local landowners. His declaration that his assistants would join the next day is met with skepticism as attempts to communicate with the Castle fail to confirm his story. Yet, unexpectedly, the Castle validates his appointment, sparing him immediate scrutiny by the villagers. Throughout the narrative, K. is consumed with his quest to enter the Castle, a pursuit that ultimately ends in his demise amid the villagers, primarily due to neglect.

The character of K., typical of Kafka's protagonists, is enigmatic, lacking a discernible past or inner life. He is consistently manipulated by historical forces and overarching ideas. A significant portion of the narrative involves K.'s desperate efforts to catch the attention of Klamm, a powerful official thought to hold the key to penetrating the Castle's bureaucratic barriers. Despite his unwavering determination, K. remains bewildered and frustrated by his persistent inability to access the Castle, where he once believed his presence was required. Kafka intended, in an unwritten chapter, to depict K. being granted permission to reside and work in the village, yet never to step inside the Castle itself. K.'s trials parallel those of Christian in The Pilgrim’s Progress, aiming for the Celestial City; however, unlike Christian, K. is ultimately unsuccessful.

Frieda, depicted as a fair-haired, sad-eyed young barmaid, was once favored as Klamm's mistress. She later becomes engaged to K., residing with him at both the Bridge Inn and the schoolhouse. Their relationship is strained by Frieda's jealousy, particularly concerning K.'s interactions with Olga and Amalia. This jealousy eventually leads Frieda to abandon K. in favor of Jeremiah. Despite her previous association with Klamm, which seemed to offer K. a potential advantage, Frieda is unable to facilitate any tangible progress in his quest.

Klamm is a prominent official within the Castle, commonly spotted at the Herrenhof. Described as plump and ponderous, with flabby cheeks, a pointed black mustache, and a pince-nez, Klamm embodies an elusive presence. Although possessing apparent authority, his true influence over K.'s situation remains ambiguous and mostly ineffective.

Barnabas, a young messenger dressed in white, plays a role in delivering a letter from Klamm to K., as well as introducing him to his family. Employed as a servant within the Castle, Barnabas acts mainly as an intermediary, providing limited assistance or insight regarding the bureaucratic challenges K. faces.

Olga, Barnabas' yellow-haired sister, is portrayed as a robust girl with a stern countenance. Her kindness towards K. is notable, as she actively reveals the Castle's inner workings and sheds light on the lives of the villagers. Olga's recounting of her sister Amalia's defiance against the Castle officials underscores the dire consequences one can face for not adhering to the Castle's expectations, which can lead to an entire family's ruin.

Amalia, resembling both Olga and Barnabas, stands out through Olga's narrative about her defiance against a Castle official's undue advances. Her refusal to comply results in her family's social ostracism, vividly demonstrating the severe repercussions of challenging the Castle's authority.

Jeremiah bears a striking resemblance to Arthur, so much so that K. humorously refers to him as "Arthur" as well. As one of K.'s assistants, Jeremiah's constant presence alongside Arthur emphasizes their joint commitment to supporting K., although their efforts ultimately fail to change the course of his journey.

Arthur, one of K.'s assistants, is described as a slim, brown-skinned, jovial young man with a small pointed black beard. Along with Jeremiah, Arthur remains close to K.,...

Schwarzer plays the role of a young man tasked with verifying K.'s claims by communicating with the Castle. Romantically involved with Gisa, the lady schoolteacher, Schwarzer's involvement in the larger narrative remains relatively minor.

The Superintendent is portrayed as a kindly, stout man afflicted with gout. He endeavors to explain the Castle's intricate management to K., but despite his good intentions, his explanations do little to alleviate K.'s struggles.

Sortini is identified as an influential official at the Castle, infamous for sending an obscene letter to Amalia. This singular act acts as a catalyst for the social downfall of Amalia's family, illustrating the intimidating power wielded by Castle officials.

Gisa, the lady schoolteacher, is the object of Schwarzer's affections. Her participation in the storyline is minimal, serving mainly as a minor character within the village setting.

Momus serves as the village secretary and acts as a deputy to Klamm. His role highlights the layered bureaucracy that defines the interactions between the villagers and the Castle.

Gardana, the landlady at the Bridge Inn, holds a brief history as Klamm's mistress. While her past connection to Klamm adds complexity to K.'s interactions, it does not contribute to any significant progress in his endeavors.