The youngest child: He has a shaved head, a sign that he has been deprived of his individuality; his face, his face is deformed, small and shaved, suggesting a baby looking for the mother's womb. he wears clothes that are prudish and almost barefoot, evidence of his days of misfortune and slavery; the sword hanging from his hip recalls his noble origin; but, at the same time, he appears kneeling and hides his gaze so as not to get his father's. Here he manifests the young man's repentance.

The eldest son: He is standing, rigid and motionless observing everything, this expression is accentuated by the long cane he holds with his hands closed. The hardness of his face shows his complaint and impossibility for joy. He looks a lot like his father, both have beards and wear red robes, the light projected on the son's face is connected to the father's illuminated face. But despite these similarities, these characters are different.

The father: He is the true protagonist of the painting. His face is the only one that shows integrity, his hands are the epicenter of the painting, in it is centered all the light, attracting the glances to reveal the sign of mercy. The right is thin and elegant, it looks like a feminine hand, while the left is strong, masculine that resembles those of a father, so motherhood and fatherhood are combined in a gesture of blessing and forgiveness. While the red mantle simulates wings to protect the youngest son.