Character guide

Unknown

major

Also known as mine, me, Mine, Thy

The narrator or focal character, often referred to with pronouns.

Christ

major

Also known as O Christ, Jesus, Jesus Christ, thou, Thy, Thou, Thee, Himself

Central divine figure, frequently addressed in prayer and devotion.

St. Philip

major

Also known as Philip, thee, Thy, Himself, thy

A saintly figure, often the narrator or focal character in devotional poems.

Moses

supporting

Also known as Moses Moses

Biblical prophet and leader, subject of several poems.

Angel

supporting

Also known as Soul, Angel All hail, Soul Dear Angel, It, Thou, thy

A celestial being, often addressed or personified in verse.

Sinner

minor

Also known as Thy, thy

A generic penitent figure, representing human frailty.

Paul

minor

Also known as St. Paul, LXX St. Paul, blessèd Paul, mine

Apostle and writer of epistles, referenced in devotional contexts.

Mary

supporting

Also known as Thou, thy

The Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, venerated in poems.

David

minor

Also known as Thy

Biblical king and psalmist, referenced as a type of Christ.

Gerontius

major

Also known as Gerontius Sanctus fortis, Sanctus Deus

Protagonist of 'The Dream of Gerontius', a soul facing judgment.

Father, Son, and Paraclete

supporting

Also known as bounteous Father, we entreat, And Only Son, awful and sweet, And life - creating Paraclete, Father, Son, O Father, the Father, Thy

The Holy Trinity, addressed collectively in hymns.

Jesse

minor

Also known as thee, thou, Thee, thy

Father of King David, mentioned in genealogical contexts.

The Dead

minor

Collective souls of the departed, prayed for in poems.

Peter

minor

Also known as St. Peter

Chief apostle, referenced in poems about the Church.

Jesu

minor

Also known as Lux alma Jesu

Another name for Jesus, used in Latin hymns.

Philip Neri

supporting

Also known as thee, thou, Thy, thy

Saint and founder of the Oratory, subject of several poems.

Lord

major

Also known as Thy, their, Thou, Thee

Title for God or Christ, frequently used in direct address.

Angels

supporting

Also known as the Angels, Father, The Angels, Angels of the Sacred Stair Father

Heavenly beings, often depicted as messengers or guardians.

Death

minor

Also known as thee, thou, thy

Personified force, contemplated in poems about mortality.

Adam

minor

First man, referenced in poems about original sin.

Thy servants

minor

Also known as Thy servants, their

Generic faithful followers of God, addressed in prayers.

Nature

minor

Also known as V Nature, great Nature

Personified natural world, contrasted with divine grace.

Gregory Nazianzen

minor

Also known as Nazianzen, Gregory

Church Father and theologian, referenced in poems.

Jonah

minor

Also known as XCII Jonah

Biblical prophet, subject of a poem about his mission.

Straight a stranger

minor

Also known as straight a stranger

A mysterious figure appearing in a poem, possibly allegorical.

Heaven

minor

Personified realm of the blessed, often addressed.

Valentine

minor

Saint associated with love, subject of a poem to a little girl.

Terence

minor

Roman playwright, referenced in a prologue.

Satan

minor

Adversary, mentioned in poems about temptation and evil.

John

minor

Also known as St. John Baptist, St. John

John the Baptist or John the Evangelist, referenced in poems.

Some lonely Saint

minor

Also known as Saint, The Saint

A generic holy figure, possibly allegorical.

The Friars

minor

Also known as their

Religious brothers, mentioned in a poem about monastic life.

Poor wand'rers

minor

Also known as Wand'rers, your, thee, ye

Wandering souls or pilgrims, addressed in a poem.

Joseph

minor

Also known as St. Joseph

Earthly father of Jesus, mentioned in nativity contexts.

Dear Frank

minor

Also known as Francis, Frank, thy

A personal acquaintance, possibly a friend or relative.

Cain

minor

First murderer, subject of a poem about his mark.

Faith

minor

Personified virtue, often addressed in poems.

Eden

minor

The Garden of Eden, referenced as a lost paradise.

Abraham

minor

Also known as LI Abraham

Patriarch, subject of a poem about his faith.

Bright Spirit

minor

Also known as the Spirit

A luminous spiritual being, possibly the Holy Spirit.

Holy Ghost

minor

Third person of the Trinity, invoked in hymns.

Michael

minor

Also known as St. Michael

Archangel, subject of a poem about his role.

Hope

minor

Personified virtue, often addressed in poems.

Saul

minor

First king of Israel, referenced in poems.

Eli/Elias

minor

Also known as Elias

Prophet Elijah, referenced in poems about zeal.

Babel

minor

Tower of Babel, symbol of human pride.

Isaac

minor

Son of Abraham, type of Christ in sacrifice.

Jacob

minor

Patriarch, father of the twelve tribes.

Eve

minor

First woman, referenced in poems about the Fall.

Ethelwald

minor

A saint or historical figure, subject of a poem.

Mother

minor

A maternal figure, possibly the Virgin Mary or a nun.

Earth

minor

Personified planet, addressed in poems.

Lo

minor

Exclamation personified, possibly a poetic device.

Bethink

minor

Also known as your, ye

A call to reflection, personified in verse.

Edward Badeley

minor

Also known as Badeley

A friend or acquaintance, possibly a lawyer.

Ulcombe

minor

A place name personified, possibly a location.

Daniel

minor

Also known as Dan

Biblical prophet, referenced in poems.

Aaron

minor

High priest, brother of Moses.

Jonathan

minor

Son of Saul, friend of David.

Truth

minor

Also known as One grain of Holy Truth, Its

Personified truth, a key theme in poems.

Balak

minor

Moabite king who opposed Israel.

Job

minor

Suffering servant, model of patience.

Jehu

minor

Also known as Jeroboam Jehu

King of Israel, known for zeal.

Samaria

minor

City personified, symbol of apostasy.

Seers

minor

Prophets or visionaries, referenced in poems.

Thomas

minor

Apostle, known for doubt.

James

minor

Apostle, brother of John.

The Saints

minor

Also known as Saints

Collective holy people, venerated in poems.

The Almighty

minor

Also known as the Almighty Only Son

Title for God, used in hymns.

Edward Caswall

minor

Friend and fellow writer, addressed in a poem.

Davus

minor

Character from Terence, used in a prologue.

Geta

minor

Character from Terence, used in a prologue.