The Pilgrim’s Progress · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.
Christian
major
Also known as Christian, neighbour Christian, poor Christian, good Christian, Now good Christian, Christian the Pilgrim, young Christian, One Christian, Mark well Christian
The protagonist, a pilgrim journeying from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City.
Christiana
major
Also known as Christiana, Sweet Christiana, good Christiana, one Christiana
Christian's wife, who later leads her children on a pilgrimage to the Celestial City.
Mercy
supporting
Also known as Mercy, young Mercy, Good Mercy
A young companion of Christiana on her pilgrimage, known for her kindness.
Hopeful
supporting
Also known as Hopeful, good Hopeful
A pilgrim who joins Christian after Faithful's death and accompanies him to the Celestial City.
Faithful
supporting
Also known as Faithful, neighbour Faithful
A loyal pilgrim and friend of Christian who is martyred in Vanity Fair.
Evangelist
supporting
Also known as Evangelist, O sweet Evangelist
A guide who directs Christian and other pilgrims toward the Celestial City.
Great-heart
supporting
Also known as Mr. Great-heart, Great-heart, Mr. Great, Mr. Great - heart, Great - heart
A strong and faithful guide who leads Christiana and her group through dangers.
Old Honest
supporting
Also known as old Honest, Honest, Mr. Honest, old Mr. Honest
A wise and truthful pilgrim who joins Christiana's company.
Giant Despair
supporting
Also known as Giant Despair, The Giant, Despair, the Giant, the old Giant, the Giant Despair
The cruel giant who imprisons Christian and Hopeful in Doubting Castle.
Apollyon
supporting
Also known as Apollyon
A fearsome demon who battles Christian in the Valley of Humiliation.
Satan
supporting
Also known as Satan
The adversary who tempts and opposes pilgrims on their journey.
Matthew
supporting
Also known as Matthew, Matt
Christiana's eldest son, who falls ill but is healed on the pilgrimage.
Mercy
supporting
Also known as Mercy, young Mercy, Good Mercy
A young companion of Christiana on her pilgrimage, known for her kindness.
Valiant
supporting
Also known as Master Valiant, Valiant, Mr. Valiant
A brave pilgrim who joins Christiana's group and fights in the Enchanted Ground.
Mr. Fearing
minor
Also known as Master Fearing, Mr. Fearing, Fearing
A timid pilgrim whose fearful nature is described by Great-heart.
Mr. Despondency
minor
Also known as Master Despondency, Mr. Despondency, Despondency
A melancholy pilgrim who travels with his daughter Much-afraid.
Timorous
minor
Also known as Timorous, Mrs. Timorous
A fearful neighbor who tries to dissuade Christiana from her pilgrimage.
Prudence
minor
Also known as Prudence, Prud
A wise maiden at the House of the Interpreter who instructs the pilgrims.
Piety
minor
Also known as Piety
A virtuous woman at the House of the Interpreter who teaches the pilgrims.
Charity
minor
Also known as Charity
A kind woman at the House of the Interpreter who questions Christiana.
Gaius
minor
Also known as Gaius, Good Gaius, good Gaius
A hospitable innkeeper who hosts the pilgrims and marries his children.
Mr. Mnason
minor
Also known as one Mr. Mnason, Mnason, Mr. Mnason, this Mr. Mnason
An aged pilgrim who hosts Christiana's company in Vanity Fair.
Madam Bubble
minor
Also known as Madam Bubble, Bubble
A temptress who tries to lure pilgrims away from the path.
Giant Maul
minor
Also known as Maul, Giant Slay, Giant Maul
A giant who attacks pilgrims but is slain by Great-heart.
Mr. Brisk
minor
Also known as Mr. Brisk
A suitor to Mercy who loses interest when she gives away her possessions.
Pliable
minor
Also known as Pliable
A fellow traveler who abandons Christian in the Slough of Despond.
Obstinate
minor
Also known as Obstinate
A neighbor who mocks Christian and refuses to join his pilgrimage.
Ignorance
minor
Also known as Ignorance, Ignor
A self-deceived pilgrim who relies on his own righteousness and is rejected.
Demas
minor
Also known as Demas, silver Demas
A pilgrim who is lured away by the silver mine of Lucre.
Atheist
minor
Also known as Atheist
A traveler who denies the existence of the Celestial City.
Mr. Worldly Wiseman
minor
Also known as Mr. Worldly Wiseman
A deceptive guide who tries to divert Christian from the narrow way.
Mr. Stand-fast
minor
Also known as Mr. Stand-fast, Mr. Stand
A steadfast pilgrim who resists Madam Bubble's temptations.
Mr. Feeble-mind
minor
Also known as Mr. Feeble-mind, Mr. Feeble - Mind
A weak but faithful pilgrim rescued by Great-heart from Giant Slay.
Mr. Desires-awake
minor
Also known as Mr. Desires
A pilgrim who intercedes for others at the Interpreter's house.
Mr. Skill
minor
Also known as Mr. Skill
A physician who heals Matthew from his illness.
Mr. Interpreter
minor
Also known as Mr. Interpreter, Inter
A guide who shows pilgrims allegorical visions at his house.
Goodwill
minor
Also known as Goodwill
The keeper of the Wicket Gate who welcomes pilgrims.
Watchful
minor
Also known as Watchful
The porter at the House Beautiful who guards the door.
Discretion
minor
Also known as Discretion
A wise maiden at the House Beautiful who counsels pilgrims.
Giant Pope
minor
Also known as Pope, Giant Pope
A decrepit giant who threatens pilgrims but is too weak to pursue.
Giant Grim
minor
Also known as Grim, old Grim, Giant Grim
A giant who blocks the way but is slain by Great-heart.
Mr. Honest
minor
Also known as Hon, Hon .
A variant name for Old Honest, a truthful pilgrim.
Mr. Great-grace
minor
Also known as Great-grace, Grace
A mighty warrior who defeats Giant Despair and frees pilgrims.
Mrs. Diffidence
minor
Also known as Mrs. Diffidence, Diffidence
Giant Despair's wife, who encourages cruelty toward prisoners.
Mr. Pickthank
minor
Also known as Pickthank, this Pickthank, Mr. Pickthank
A false witness who testifies against Faithful at Vanity Fair.
Mr. Envy
minor
Also known as Envy, Mr. Envy
A witness who accuses Faithful out of jealousy at Vanity Fair.
Mr. Superstition
minor
Also known as Superstition
A witness against Faithful at Vanity Fair.
Mr. Hate-light
minor
Also known as Hate-light
A witness against Faithful at Vanity Fair.
Mr. Live-loose
minor
Also known as Live-loose
A witness against Faithful at Vanity Fair.
Mr. Anything
minor
Also known as Mr. Anything
A character who represents moral flexibility and compromise.
Madam Wanton
minor
Also known as Wanton, Madam Wanton, Madam
A temptress who tries to seduce pilgrims away from the path.
Simon the Witch
minor
Also known as Simon the witch, Simon
A sorcerer who opposes the pilgrims in Vanity Fair.
Mr. Flatterer
minor
Also known as the Flatterer, Flatterer
A deceiver who leads pilgrims astray with false praise.
Mistrust
minor
Also known as Mistrust
A pilgrim who turns back from the Hill Difficulty out of fear.
Timorous
minor
Also known as Timorous
A pilgrim who turns back from the Hill Difficulty with Mistrust.
Simple
minor
Also known as Simple
A foolish man who ignores warnings and perishes.
Sloth
minor
Also known as Sloth
A lazy man who refuses to continue his pilgrimage.
Presumption
minor
Also known as Presumption
A overconfident pilgrim who ignores danger and is lost.
Formalist
minor
Also known as Formalist
A hypocritical pilgrim who follows religion only outwardly.
Hypocrisy
minor
Also known as Hypocrisy, Hyp
A pilgrim who pretends to be righteous but is not genuine.
Talkative
minor
Also known as Talkative
A verbose but insincere pilgrim who is exposed by Faithful.
By-ends
minor
Also known as By-ends
A pilgrim who seeks religious gain for worldly profit.
Money-love
minor
Also known as Money-love
A companion of By-ends who loves wealth above all.
Save-all
minor
Also known as Save-all
A companion of By-ends who hoards his resources.
Hold-the-world
minor
Also known as Hold-the-world
A companion of By-ends who clings to earthly possessions.
Mr. Legal
minor
Also known as Mr. Legal
A resident of the town of Morality who offers false hope.
Civility
minor
Also known as Civility
Mr. Legal's son, who represents mere outward politeness.
Adam the First
minor
Also known as Adam the First, Adam
An old man who represents the old sinful nature.
Moses
minor
Also known as Moses
A severe figure who represents the law and frightens pilgrims.
Shame
minor
Also known as Shame
A character who tries to embarrass pilgrims for their faith.
Carnal Policy
minor
Also known as Carnal Policy
A guide who advises worldly wisdom over spiritual obedience.
Mr. Despair
minor
Also known as Despair
A character who embodies hopelessness in the pilgrim's journey.
Mr. Guilt
minor
Also known as Guilt
A character who torments pilgrims with their past sins.
Mr. Faint-heart
minor
Also known as Faint-heart, Faint
A timid pilgrim who struggles with courage on the way.
Mr. Stand-fast
minor
Also known as Mr. Stand-fast, Mr. Stand
A steadfast pilgrim who resists Madam Bubble's temptations.
