Anthony Burns features a large number of characters, some historical and some fictionalized. Hamilton strives to portray all of the characters, both historical and fictional, realistically. Because most real human beings are changeable in their opinions and thoughts, Hamilton creates ambiguous, complex characters.

Judge Edward Greeley Loring, for example, ultimately sends Bums back into slavery. During the trial and pretrial he seems to want to ensure Burns a fair hearing. Yet he allows improper and illegal evidence to be presented, and appears to have made up his mind about Burns's guilt before the trial is over.

Because Loring is a historical character, his motives and thoughts are difficult to discern, but his ambivalence toward his legal duty is apparent. In the end he bows to pressure from representatives of the federal government, perhaps thinking of the future of his career, and hands Bums over...