George (Middle-aged, professor of history): George is intelligent, self-deprecating, and often cynical. He is deeply disillusioned with his life, and the play shows how his sharp wit and sarcastic humor hide his inner pain and insecurity. George feels trapped in a stagnant marriage with Martha, and he has deep resentments regarding his lack of success in academia and his unfulfilled ambitions.

Martha (Middle-aged, daughter of the college president): Martha is loud, brash, and often cruel, using her sharp tongue to hide her vulnerability and dissatisfaction with her life. She is trapped in an unhappy marriage with George and seeks attention, affirmation, and validation, often through destructive means. Her actions are motivated by deep emotional wounds, particularly the failure to live up to the grand expectations she had for herself and her marriage.

Nick (Young, ambitious college professor): Nick is outwardly charming, attractive, and ambitious. He is a newcomer to the college where George teaches, and his main goal seems to be to climb the academic ladder. He comes across as somewhat naïve and innocent, but he also carries an air of smug confidence. His youth and inexperience contrast sharply with the more cynical

Honey (Nick’s wife, young, nervous, and insecure): Honey is sweet, naive, and insecure. She lacks confidence and is easily manipulated. Throughout the play, Honey’s fragility becomes more apparent as the tension between the couples grows. Her reactions are often passive, and she seems to be overwhelmed by the manipulative games played by the others.