Lázaro (Lazarillo de Tormes), the narrator, is a classic representation of a typical picaresque novel protagonist, someone of low birth who must live by his wits in a corrupt society. He is the only character, besides his parents, who is given a name. Lázaro is born poor, the son of a criminal father and a poor mother, and the stepson of a Black man. As a typical hero of a picaresque novel, he consistently presents himself as the victim of his low birth and of his circumstances, even after his station in life improves. His character is meant to be taken ironically. In the Prologue he arrogantly says that his story is one others can learn from. He discusses the virtues of honorable work and advancing in society, but by the end, Lázaro doesn’t work, and he only advances in society by living in denial.

Lázaro is essentially a product of his environment. A series of disreputable masters teach him to trick and manipulate to get what he wants. He also learns that a noble gentleman doesn’t work but gets by on appearances. Lázaro observes the faults in his masters, but he does not grow beyond their poor examples.