# Angela — Poetry character guide

> Angela in Poetry by John Keats.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Good Angela, Old Angela

**First appearance:** 0051-i

## Snapshot

Madeline's ancient, trembling nurse, whose loyalty to a girl she raised outweighs her fear of the feuding houses around her.

## Who they are

Angela belongs to the cold castle of Madeline's kin, a servant whose bent body carries decades of the family's grudges and prayers. When Porphyro arrives out of the storm begging for help, she wavers between terror of discovery and pity for young love, and it is her hand that guides him to the hidden chamber. Her small act of mercy sets the poem's midnight machinery in motion, making an old woman's tenderness the hinge on which the lovers' fate turns.

## In the story

### [The Eve of St. Agnes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/the-eve-of-st-agnes)

The old nurse who helps Porphyro hide in Madeline's chamber, later dies palsy-twitch'd.

### [The Perilous Venture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/x)

The one old beldame who affords him mercy, weak in body and soul.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xi)

The aged creature who shuffles along and warns Porphyro to flee.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xii)

Gossip who warns Madeline to escape from Hildebrand and Lord Maurice.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xiii)

Leads Porphyro to a little moonlight room, muttering in distress.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xv)

Sits spectacled in a chimney nook, laughing feebly in the languid moon, and reveals Madeline's purpose to Porphyro.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xvi)

The beldame who is startled by the speaker's proposal.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xvii)

Angela is the recipient of Porphyro's oath, the old nurse who facilitates the lovers' meeting.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xviii)

Angela pleads with Porphyro, describing herself as a feeble, palsy-stricken soul near death, and is moved by his sorrow to promise her aid.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xx)

The Dame who speaks, agreeing to the plan and advising the young man.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxi)

The old nurse who nervously guides Porphyro to Madeline's chamber, then hurries away in fear.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxii)

Old Angela falters on the balustrade, feeling for the stair, and is led down by Madeline.

### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xlii)

Old Angela dies palsy-twitch'd with a meagre face deform.

## Links

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