An orphaned peasant boy living in the village of Değirmenoluk in Dikenlidüzü, working for mere sustenance on Abdi Ağa's fields alongside his mother, Döne. Unable to endure Abdi Ağa's oppression, he runs away from the village as a child but is forced to return. When he grows up, he elopes with his beloved, Hatçe, after she is forcibly betrothed to another. In the ensuing conflict, he kills the Ağa's nephew, wounds Abdi Ağa, and takes to the mountains. He gains experience alongside bandits like Deli Durdu but eventually rejects their methods of oppressing the people, becoming a legendary folk hero and protector of the poor peasants. He encourages the villagers to reclaim their lands.
His father, İsmail, died when he was still young, leaving Memed and his mother as landless peasants abandoned to the mercy of Abdi Ağa. His childhood years were spent plowing fields among thorny thistles with bleeding feet, traumatized by the endless beatings he received from the Ağa.
A young man who wears long peasant trousers and a jacket acquired from smugglers, dons a fedora, has tanned skin, a small face, and is thin but as resilient as steel. His most striking feature is his large, sparkling eyes; when he is angry, a bright, piercing light like a needle point appears in them.
Döne
His long-suffering mother, about whom he is constantly worried.
Cabbar
His loyal companion in his outlaw life, on whom he relied.
Hatçe
The reason for his existence and his one and only love.
Abdi Ağa
The focus of all his hatred and rebellion.
Topal Ali
Both an old threat and a scout whom he later gained the mercy of and came to respect.