Dr. Henry Jekyll – The Tragic Scientist

Dr. Jekyll is a well-respected doctor and scientist, admired for his intellect and generosity. However, he harbors a deep curiosity about the duality of human nature, believing that:

"Man is not truly one, but truly two."

Determined to separate his good and evil sides, he creates a transformative potion, allowing him to indulge in his darker impulses without consequence. At first, he revels in his newfound freedom, but as his alter ego grows stronger, Jekyll loses control. His final confession reveals his torment:

"I bring the life of that unhappy Henry Jekyll to an end."

Jekyll represents the dangers of unchecked ambition and the struggle between good and evil within all people.

Edward Hyde – The Embodiment of Evil

Hyde is the physical manifestation of Jekyll’s worst instincts—violent, remorseless, and utterly devoid of morality. His appearance is disturbing, evoking an instinctive sense of dread:

"There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable."

Hyde indulges in cruelty, committing horrifying acts, including trampling a child and murdering Sir Danvers Carew. As his power over Jekyll grows, he becomes unstoppable, until Jekyll can no longer resist transforming into him. His existence proves that evil, once unleashed, cannot easily be contained.

Mr. Gabriel Utterson – The Rational Investigator

Utterson, a respectable lawyer and Jekyll’s loyal friend, is a man of reason who values reputation and morality. He is troubled by Jekyll’s association with the sinister Hyde, declaring:

"If he be Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek."

As he pieces together the mystery, he remains steadfast in his duty to protect Jekyll. However, his rational mindset leaves him unprepared for the horrifying truth. Utterson represents the Victorian ideal of restraint, though his inability to grasp the supernatural highlights the limits of logic.

Dr. Hastie Lanyon – The Doomed Skeptic

A fellow scientist and former friend of Jekyll, Lanyon prides himself on his rationality, rejecting Jekyll’s unorthodox experiments as dangerous nonsense:

"Henry Jekyll became too fanciful for me. He began to go wrong, wrong in the mind."

However, when he witnesses Jekyll’s transformation into Hyde, his entire worldview shatters. The revelation is so overwhelming that it leads to his swift decline and death. Lanyon serves as a warning about the dangers of knowledge that challenges human understanding.

Poole – The Loyal Servant

Poole, Jekyll’s devoted butler, is a man of duty and quiet strength. As Jekyll’s behavior becomes more erratic, Poole’s concern grows, culminating in his desperate plea for help:

"I think there’s been foul play."

His bravery leads to the discovery of Jekyll’s tragic fate. Poole represents loyalty and common sense, standing in contrast to the chaos caused by Jekyll’s experiments.

Mr. Richard Enfield – The Casual Observer

Enfield, a well-known man about town, serves as the first to introduce the mystery of Hyde. He recalls with horror how Hyde trampled a young girl without remorse:

"It was hellish to see."

Though not deeply involved in the events, his initial account sets the story in motion, highlighting the way Victorian society reacted to immorality and scandal. Enfield represents the public perception of crime—curious yet unwilling to investigate too deeply.