| Character | Description | Lines |
| EMPEROR | Extremely vain and selfish. Cares for nothing but how he looks. His people exist to admire him. | 45 |
| SCOUNDREL #1 | Clever, wily, intelligent. Somewhat of a scoundrel, but with a good heart and on the lookout for ways to help the needy. | 26 |
| SCOUNDREL #2 | A follower. Neither terribly bright nor innovative. Does anything that SCOUNDREL #1 tells him to. | 20 |
| PRIME MINISTER | Very pompous and afraid of offending the EMPEROR, but with a soft spot for suffering. He will stick his neck out occasionally to defend injustice, but only so far. | 11 |
| LITTLE BOY/GIRL | A youngster who is completely innocent and honest. Speaks his mind as he sees it. No airs. | 2 |
| EXCHEQUER | The court treasurer, keeps track of the money, extremely uptight and penny pinching. Constantly in a tizzy about the EMPEROR’S spending habits. | 2 |
| NARRATOR | The storyteller | 13 |
| COURTIERS | Followers and Yes-people. Will do anything to please the EMPEROR and not lose favor at court. | 4 each |
| VILLAGERS | Poor peasants who are generally shy, scared of powerful people like the EMPEROR, and are afraid to speak their minds and vent their anger for fear of punishment. | 4 each |
| ADVISORS | Most esteemed members of the court, next to the Prime Minister. They are also Yes-people, and try to please the EMPEROR at any cost. | 5-6 each |
| BANNER CARRIERS | Carry the court crest on banners. | none |
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