Ion

Ion, the titular character of the play, is the son of Apollo and Creusa, the Athenian princess. Unbeknownst to him, his lineage is divine, and his early life was shrouded in mystery. Apollo ordered that he be hidden in a cave after his birth. However, Hermes, the messenger god, intervened, whisking the infant away to Delphi, where he was raised within Apollo's temple. Ion's nurturing under the temple's auspices allowed him to lead a cheerful and carefree life, yet he remained unaware of his origins. His world of innocence is first disrupted when Creusa and Xuthus, her husband, visit the temple seeking Apollo's aid due to their childlessness. Ion and Creusa encounter each other at the temple's threshold, and an inexplicable bond forms between them. Creusa, unaware that Ion is her son, recounts her own life story under the guise of another woman's plight, which disturbs Ion's sheltered virtue. Shocked by Apollo's past actions, Ion initially attempts to justify them, marking his first brush with the harsh realities beyond his cloistered existence. Throughout these encounters, Ion gains self-awareness and develops into a resolute individual. At Apollo’s behest, Xuthus is informed that Ion is his son, leading them to celebrate this divine gift. However, this revelation incites Creusa to plot against Ion, fearing foreign rule over Athens. Ion's strength of character emerges as he leads the Delphians in a bid to stone Creusa, who seeks refuge at the altar of Apollo. The timely intervention of a priestess, who presents the cradle that once held Ion, and Creusa's recognition of it, eventually reveals the truth. Athena's appearance further solidifies Ion's heritage, asserting his divine parentage and foretelling his future dominion over Athens.

Creusa

Creusa, the daughter of Erechtheus, King of Athens, is a deeply tragic character who was seduced by Apollo and believed she had lost her child, Ion, to a tragic fate. Her story begins with desperation for progeny as she travels to Delphi with her husband, Xuthus, to seek Apollo's guidance. Her encounter with Ion, who is unknowingly her son, reveals her inner turmoil and rebellious spirit against the god who wronged her. Creusa's sorrow is compounded by her belief that marrying Xuthus was not of her own volition, further straining the revelation that Ion is perceived as Xuthus's son. Her fears of foreign dominance over Athens propel her into conspiracy and near tragedy. Yet, when the truth of her son's identity unfolds, Creusa's grievances against Apollo fade, as the revelation restores her lost son and aligns her loyalties with the future of her family and nation. Her actions underscore the central theme of dynastic continuity and national pride, which characterizes her as both a victim and a vindicated figure by the play's conclusion.

Xuthus

Xuthus, Creusa's husband, is introduced as a formidable warrior and ruler, whose primary motivation is to secure a lineage. His desperation leads him to Delphi, where an oracle's prophecy convinces him that Ion is his son. His impulsive acceptance of Ion as his heir demonstrates his inclination towards immediate gratification and overlooks the implications of a foreign heir to the Athenian throne. Though well-intentioned, Xuthus is portrayed as somewhat naive, failing to foresee the tumult his actions might incite, particularly with Creusa. His character reflects the complexities of familial and political dynamics embroiled within the narrative.

Hermes

Hermes, the messenger god, plays a crucial role as the narrative's introducer. He provides context to the audience, explaining his part in Ion's past by rescuing the infant from abandonment and delivering him safely to Delphi, at Apollo's request. Though his involvement is limited to the prologue,...