Captain of the Guinea Trading Ship

Upon arriving in London, Crusoe encounters the captain of a ship heading to Guinea. They quickly become friends, and Crusoe decides to join the voyage. Sadly, the captain dies during the journey.

Captain’s Widow

The widow of Crusoe’s friend, the captain of the Guinea trading ship, is one of the two significant female characters in the story. A reliable friend, she manages Crusoe’s finances and acts as his agent in London.

These duties align with the gender roles prevalent in London's financial district. Both women and men were investors in the Bank of England, affectionately known as the "lady of Threadneedle Street."

Comrade in Hull

In Hull, Crusoe meets a friend who offers him a trip to London. This friend embodies the adventurous spirit of the young English mercantile class and fuels Crusoe’s dreams of a seafaring life.

The Comrade’s Father

The comrade’s father is the captain of the first ship Crusoe sails on in Yarmouth, where he goes to recuperate. When informed by his son that Crusoe was aboard as a sailor, he advises Crusoe to abandon seafaring.

The comrade’s father parallels Crusoe’s own father. Both are traditional men, wary of change, believing that a man’s destiny is predetermined at birth.

Robinson Crusoe

The main character in Defoe’s fictional autobiography, Crusoe is an adventurous individual who defies his family’s expectations and the limitations of the English middle class for a life at sea. After a catastrophic shipwreck—of which he is the sole survivor—he must face his fear of solitude to endure the challenges of his isolated existence.

Crusoe is not innately courageous. However, over time, his reasoning sharpens, and he overcomes his fears. At one point, he even roams the island unarmed. He learns various skills, such as crafting an axe, baking bread, and constructing an elaborate shelter. When confronted by marauding cannibals, he bravely attacks them and rescues their captives. Ultimately, upon returning to London, he readjusts to English society, marries, and starts a family.

Friday

Friday is a native man whom Crusoe rescues; he eventually becomes Crusoe’s devoted servant. Crusoe describes him as a Creole—a mix of African and Indian—symbolizing the untamed aspects of nature. Through his bond with Friday, Crusoe confronts his fear of the native people in the region.

When Friday proposes exchanging ideas with Crusoe on subjects like religion or technology, Crusoe declines to learn from his insights. For instance, as they start building a boat together, Friday suggests burning out the inside. Nevertheless, Crusoe insists on using a hatchet, a more labor-intensive method. Crusoe’s unwillingness to treat Friday as an equal reflects the general European attitudes toward "the savage."

Over time, Friday adopts European customs and religious beliefs, symbolizing the colonialization process.

Mr. Kreutznaer

Crusoe’s father, originally from Bremen, Germany, is a merchant by trade. In England, his name is changed to Crusoe. Described as a "wise and grave man," he urges Crusoe to abandon his adventurous aspirations and settle into a stable middle-class profession, such as law.

Mrs. Kreutznaer

Although Crusoe's mother does not intervene to secure her husband's blessing for Crusoe, she privately supports her son. She embodies the "proper woman" mentioned at the end—a diligent worker unafraid of taking risks.

Old Savage

The old "savage," one of the captives rescued by Crusoe and Friday, is revealed to be Friday’s father. He, too, pledges his loyalty to Crusoe.

Portuguese Captain

The Portuguese captain rescues Crusoe from Africa, takes him to Brazil, and buys Xury. He also helps manage Crusoe’s money and serves as a father figure. As an honest pilot of his ship and crew, he faithfully aids Crusoe.

The Spaniard

The Spaniard is another captive rescued by Crusoe and Friday. After being freed and given a weapon, he helps the group kill many cannibals. The Spaniard, proving to be an honest man, advises Crusoe to expand the plantation. Crusoe values the Spaniard’s work ethic and sense of honor over his Roman Catholic beliefs.

Mr. Wells

Mr. Wells, Crusoe’s Portuguese neighbor, owns a plantation next to Crusoe’s in Brazil. They exchange labor and assist each other as needed, a common practice among colonizers of that era. This mutual aid fosters a strong friendship, with Wells managing Crusoe’s estate during his time on the island. Wells represents the typical settler and plantation operator.

Xury

Xury is a servant who, along with Crusoe, is forced into slavery. Fortunately, they manage to escape from their captors. Like Friday, Xury instinctively takes on the role of an obedient and affectionate servant. Xury embodies the European perception of non-Europeans. He exhibits superior natural instincts—he is an adept hunter and skilled in processing hides, has excellent night vision (as well as day vision, as evidenced by his spotting the Portuguese ship), and possesses a strong sense of self-preservation. Xury consents to being sold into slavery on the condition that he will be granted freedom in ten years if he converts to Christianity.