# Poetry — Character guide

> Key figures in Poetry by Taras Shevchenko.

- [Unknown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/unknown_narrator.md): The unnamed narrator or focal character, often speaking in first person.
- [The Servant](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/the_servant.md): A recurring servant figure, possibly the bondwoman in several poems.
- [Mark](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/mark.md): A named character appearing in multiple poems, possibly a biblical or allegorical figure.
- [Katherine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/katherine.md): A central female character, often addressed tenderly in the poems.
- [The Cossack](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/the_cossack.md): A symbolic or literal Cossack warrior, central to several narrative poems.
- [Trophimus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/trophimus.md): An elderly character, possibly a father or wise figure in the poems.
- [Anna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/anna.md): A named female character appearing in several poems.
- [The Tchumak](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/the_tchumak.md): A Ukrainian salt-trader or wanderer, appearing in narrative poems.
- [Kalina](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/kalina.md): A personified or symbolic figure, possibly representing the cranberry or a woman.
- [The Servant Who Cares Not for Wage](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/the_servant_who_cares_not_for_wage.md): A distinct servant figure who serves without expectation of payment.
- [The Cossacks](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/the_cossacks.md): A collective group of Cossack warriors appearing in battle scenes.
- [The Kobzar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/the_kobzar.md): A blind bard or minstrel, a recurring figure in Ukrainian folk poetry.
- [Shevchenko](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/shevchenko.md): The poet himself, appearing as a character or speaker in the poems.
- [Tchabàn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/tchaban.md): A shepherd character appearing in pastoral or exile poems.
- [Hamaleia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/hamaleia.md): A heroic Cossack leader, subject of a narrative poem.
- [The German](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/the_german.md): A foreign antagonist or figure of oppression in the poems.
- [Holy Barbara](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/holy_barbara.md): A saintly female figure, possibly invoked in prayer poems.
- [The Dnieper](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/the_dnieper.md): The personified Dnieper River, a recurring symbolic presence.
- [Taras](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/taras.md): A Cossack leader or historical figure, possibly the poet's namesake.
- [The Poles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/the_poles.md): Polish oppressors or antagonists in historical poems.
- [Tchornobriva](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/tchornobriva.md): A female character, possibly a lover or mourner, with dark brows.
- [Bosphorus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/bosphorus.md): The personified Bosphorus strait, appearing in exile poems.
- [Topolia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/topolia.md): A named female character or personification, possibly a poplar tree.
- [Stasia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/stasia.md): A minor female character, possibly a servant or village woman.
- [Mongols](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters/mongols.md): Historical invaders mentioned in narrative poems.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_22_se/characters