God

God, who is on the side of the Christians.

The archangel Gabriel

The archangel Gabriel, sent by God in the seventh year of the Crusade to encourage the Crusaders in beginning their march on Jerusalem.

The archangel Michael

The archangel Michael, sent by God to inspire the Christians during the final stages of the capture of the city.

Satan

Satan, who is on the side of the Pagans.

Godfrey de Bouillon

Godfrey de Bouillon, the leader of the Crusaders, victorious after many setbacks.

King Aladine

King Aladine, the pagan king from whom the Crusaders finally take Jerusalem.

Clorinda

Clorinda, a beautiful pagan warrior who scorns female dress. She is instrumental in preventing pagan tyrannies as well as in holding off the Christians for a time. She is killed in combat.

Tancred

Tancred, a mighty Christian noble in love with Clorinda. He wounds her mortally in combat, then realizes who she is. He has time to ask her pardon and to baptize her before her death.

Erminia of Antioch

Erminia of Antioch, who is in love with Tancred. She goes in Clorinda’s armor to Tancred’s camp when he is wounded, but she is frightened at the last minute and takes refuge with a shepherd.

Argantes

Argantes, who is sent by the king of Egypt to parley with Godfrey, who haughtily rejects his overtures. He and his army aid Jerusalem, and Argantes is killed in single combat by Tancred.

Rinaldo

Rinaldo, an Italian Crusader and the most valorous of all. Banished temporarily after a jousting duel, he is later summoned back and is with the Crusaders when Jerusalem is taken.

Armida

Armida, an enchantress in Satan’s employ. She treacherously lures fifty Christians to her castle and changes them into fishes; later, she imprisons Tancred. All are liberated by Rinaldo, who then dallies with Armida until summoned back to duty. At last, the pagans defeated, she surrenders herself to Rinaldo.

Hugh

Hugh, the former commander of the French forces. He appears to Godfrey in a vision and orders him to recall Rinaldo.

Otho

Otho, Tancred’s companion, who is defeated by Argantes and taken prisoner.

Gernando

Gernando, a rival of Rinaldo for a certain post. They quarrel, and in the resultant joust, Gernando is killed.

Peter the Hermit

Peter the Hermit, who adds his exhortations to Godfrey’s in reminding the Crusaders of their vows to take Jerusalem.

Ismeno

Ismeno, a sorcerer. He advises King Aladine to steal a statue of the Virgin Mary, which later disappears.

Sophronia

Sophronia, a beautiful Christian subject of King Aladine. To save the rest of the Christians from massacre, she confesses to the theft of the statue and is condemned to be burned.

Olindo

Olindo, who is in love with Sophronia. He hopes to save her by confessing to the theft but is only condemned as well. Clorinda rescues both.

Sweno

Sweno, the prince of Denmark. He is killed with his followers during his occupation of Palestine. The Crusaders are spurred on by thoughts of vengeance for this deed.