Aragorn
He is enigmatic, brooking, handsome. Aragorn carries an aura of concealed power and greatness about him, but also a deep sense of humanity and kindness. Aragorn goes through a great internal struggle in facing his destiny as King. Valiant, noble and wry, he has never sought greatness an has an innate fear of the corrupting nature of power. Aragorn's noble lineage is initially hidden beneath the persona of "Strider," a mysterious ranger who is used to living rough and skilled in surviving in the wild. Aragorn is a skilled sword fighter

Arwen
The Elven princess of Rivendell, Arwen's beauty is legendary. An Elf, Arwen is, by virtue of birth, immortal. Everything about Arwen is "Quick" - her fleetness, her smile, her temper, her understanding.  Arwen's love for Aragorn is deep and abiding. She is prepared to give up her immortality and embrace death for him. But she also loves her father, the Lord Elrond, and it costs her greatly to defy him. Arwen's journey is towards a deeper understanding of the darkness and evil that exists in the world and a true understanding of what it means to be mortal...

Bilbo Baggins
A true eccentric, who cares not a fig for the opinion of others, Bilbo is strong-minded, outspoken and does not suffer fools gladly. He has a great and abiding love for his nephew, Frodo, of whom he is enormously proud. Unlike most Hobbits, Bilbo has a great love of adventure and travel and given half a chance he will talk endlessly about his youthful exploits. Bilbo has a wide mischievous streak and even at his age still enjoys playing tricks upon his neighbors and relatives. After Bilbo gives up the Ring he quickly ages, losing much of his energy and mental agility...

Boromir
Boromir is the eldest son of Denethor, steward of Gondor. Introverted and something of a loner, he has been oppressed by a domineering and violent father. Boromir is mistrustful of others, particularly Wizards, and regularly pours scorn on Gandalf. Boromir believes in the greatness of men, but he has no real belief in himself. The more likable side of his character is brought out by the Hobbits, whom he finds very endearing. Boromir is easily swayed by the power of the Ring and under its influence he turns quite malicious. He does, however, come to see the error of his ways and very honorably redeems himself, dying a hero's death to save Merry and Pippin...

Frodo Baggins
Fine featured and good looking, Frodo is a natural leader. He is intelligent and carefree with a roguish sense of humor and a disarmingly boyish charm. Frodo lives in the shadow of his famous adventurer uncle, Bilbo, and longs to have his own adventures beyond the bounds of the Shire. However, when confronted with the terrors of the real world Frodo starts to doubt his own abilities. it is a testament to his courage and heart that, despite his misgivings and fears, he volunteers to the Ring to Mordor. Frodo's struggle with the malicious influence of the Rings pushes him to the brink of paranoia and madness. By the end of his journey Frodo is hanging by a thread, his strength almost gone, his carefree spirit broken. The Frodo who returns to the Shire is humble, quiet, haunted. Of all the characters in the story, Frodo has the most profound journey...

Gandalf
Gandalf is a figure of great authority and warmth. He is a wise, far-seeing sage who dearly loves the good creatures of Middle-earth, in particular, Hobbits. A young spirit trapped in an old body, Gandalf is frustrated by his failing memory and arthritic knees. He is an eccentric and has moments of quirky comedy. Gandalf is reinvented halfway through the story when he changes from "Gandalf the Grey" to "Gandalf the White." His age drops from 70'ish to early 50's. The reborn Gandalf leads Gondor into war, but temporarily loses something of his old humanity and humor, becoming more formidable as a character...

Gimli
A pugnacious dwarf with a big heart. Gimli is brave and valiant; a warrior to the core, who lives by the warrior's code, he is loyal to the last. Gimli is a boisterous spirit who enjoys poking fun at the Elves, in particular Legolas. Gimli loves wine and women and song and has a hearty sense of humor. Whilst hardly refined, he is capable of appreciating beauty, especially the beauty of well-hewn rock of the mines and tunnels made by his forebears...

Legolas
A prince of the Wood elves, Legolas is a deadly bowman, who can move with great stealth. Tall, slender and fine-featured, Legolas is physically everything that Gimli the dwarf is not! Legolas sees Gimli as a dour, work-obsessed and humorless curmudgeon. It's the dynamic of the "odd couple": two opposites constantly bickering and bantering, each making jokes at the other's expense. But beneath the veneer of ironic humor Legolas cares very much for those he has pledged to protect and ultimately he and Gimli become fast friends...

Merry Brandybuck
Merry is more canny and knowing than the average Hobbit. A master prankster, Merry is usually able to talk his impetuous partner in crime, pippin, into taking part in his schemes. Merry is quick-witted and resourceful, confident and cheerful. He dreams of being heroic, but in actual fact is not naturally brave and manages to surprise even himself when he is finally called to do great deed on the battlefield...

Pippen Took
The youngest Hobbit, Pippin is impulsive, outspoken and a ball of energy. He is charming and fearless, but his lack of maturity and insight does tend to get him in trouble. Pippin is intrepid, mainly because he doesn't stop to think about danger, but also because he has a big heart. Despite thinking himself quite worldly, it is his innocent and trusting nature which endears him so readily to others. He is a natural comic...

Sam Gamgee
Practical and quiet, Sam is often the source of unwitting humor - although he is more astute than some give him credit for. He is unsophisticated, quick-tempered and suspicious. Sam faces each new trial with a sometimes gloomy foreboding, but also a grim determination to see the job done. A humble gardener by trade, his intense loyalty to Frodo sees him rise to great acts of self-sacrifice and heroism. By the end of the story, Sam has grown in confidence and stature and his final parting with Frodo, although touched with sadness, also reveals the depth of understanding and wisdom which Sam has acquired...

Saruman
The leader of the Istari, the Wizards who offer counsel to the creatures of Middle-earth, Saruman has immense stature and dignity. As the story unfolds we learn that he has been corrupted by greed for power and has betrayed his sacred duties. Where he was once noble and wise, he is now arrogant and cunning; duplistic and self-serving...