# A venerable priest — Poetry character guide

> A venerable priest in Poetry by John Keats.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0051-i

## Who they are

A priestly figure who appears in a ceremonial context.

## In the story

### [On Oxford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/on-oxford)

Referenced indirectly through the 'old Bishop and Crozier' and 'Parsons' enjoying venison, embodying the clerical presence at Oxford.

### [To Thomas Keats](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/to-thomas-keats)

Implied figure in the wedding context, though not directly named.

### [Fragment of “The Castle Builder”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/fragment-of-the-castle-builder)

The friar with whom the speaker plans to dine.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/iv)

The mysterious priest leading the heifer to the sacrifice.

### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxxvi)

The plain-dress'd sage who warns the Page and flees with Eban.

### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxxviii)

The learned Seer is ushered in and prostrates himself with Eban.

### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xl)

Referred to as 'Chaldean', commanded to stay and offered wine.

### [LXXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/lxxxv)

Implied as part of the court or crowd, though not directly named.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters/a_venerable_priest
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters