Calypho is one of the Cyclops. He is teased by Cryticus and Molus.
CANOPE
Canope is a lady at Sapho's court.
CUPID
Cupid is the son of Venus. At his mother's request, Cupid strikes Sapho with an arrow, making her fall in love with Phao. But when Venus also falls in love with Phao, she persuades Vulcan to make new arrows for Cupid's bow that will turn the hearts of Sapho and Phao. Cupid fires one of the arrows and Sapho is cured of her love-sicknesses. Sapho persuades Cupid to join her and then sets herself up as Venus' rival.
CRYTICUS
Cryticus is page to Trachinus. Cryticus introduces Pandion's page, Molus, to life at court.
EUGENUA
Eugenua is a lady at Sapho's court.
FAVILLA
Favilla is a lady at Sapho's court.
ISMENA
Ismena is a lady at Sapho's court.
LAMIA
Lamia is a lady at Sapho's court.
MILETA
Mileta is a lady at Sapho's court.
MOLUS
Molus is page to Pandion. Molus is introduced to life at court by Trachinus' page, Cryticus.
PANDION
Pandion is a scholar who has never been to court before. Trachinus, a courtier, introduces Pandion to life at court, but Pandion falls into a deep melancholy.
PHAO
Phao is the ferryman of Syracuse. One of his passengers, Venus, gives him the gift of beauty - but the gift comes with a price, for Phao is now incapable of love. Nevertheless, Phao is captured by Sapho's beauty and seeks advice from an old soothsayer. Venus falls in love with Phao and eventually persuades Cupid to release Phao from his curse.
SAPHO
Sapho is the Princess of Syracuse and one of the most beautiful women in the world. The goddess Venus makes Cupid fire one of his arrows into Sapho, making her fall in love with Phao, a ferryman whom Venus had made beautiful but incapable of love. Venus also falls in love with Phao, so she makes Cupid take away Sapho's love. In revenge, Sapho entices Cupid away from Venus and sets herself up as a rival goddess of love - only from now on, she says, women will only fall in love with other women.
SYBILLA
Sybilla is an aged Soothsayer who advises Phao.
TRACHINUS
Trachinus is a courtier at Syracruse. He introduces the scholar Pandion to life at court.
VENUS
Venus, the goddess, travels on a ferry to Syracuse, accompanied by her son Cupid. She makes the ferryman Phao beautiful but incapable of love and she persuades Cupid to fire an arrow deep into Sapho, whom Venus regards as a rival. Sapho falls in love with Phao. When Venus also falls in love with Phao, the goddess persuades Vulcan to make new arrows for Cupid's bow, so that Sapho will stop loving Phao and Phao will be able to love Venus. Cupid carries out his task but then decides to leave Venus and stay with Sapho.
VULCAN
Vulcan is one of the gods. He is persuaded by Venus to make new arrows for Cupid's bow.