In Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown," who is the figure that Goodman Brown meets in the forest and how is he characterized?

It is the
devil that Goodman Brown meets in the forest. The devil is characterized as looking like an
older version of Brown himself "perhaps more in expression than features." He greets
Brown familiarly and has, in fact, been expecting him.

The devil is dressed
in much the same manner as Brown, and the narrator observes that "he had an indescribable
air of one who knew the world," implying that he understood humanity's dark, inner
inclinations. He attempts to make Brown feel more comfortable in his presence by claiming that
he had been well-acquainted with his father and grandfather as well as eminent men of the
colony, including deacons, selectmen, magistrates, and the governor.

As they
walk along together, the devil works to convince Brown that he has many converts among the
Puritan community, including Brown's catechism teacher. The devil's arguments are effortless and
continuous as they walk along, and he exhorts Brown to quicken his pace and to "persevere
in the path."

Overall, the devil is characterized as all-knowing,
persuasive, and self-assured.