# Bertha — Poetry character guide

> Bertha in Poetry by John Keats.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Pearl, Bertha Pearl, The little Bertha, pretty little Bertha, Sweet Bertha, Bertha Blount of, Bertha Blount

**First appearance:** 0017-calidore

## Who they are

A young girl, possibly a character in a lighter narrative.

## Relationships

### [Hum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters/hum)

_friendship_

Bertha shares a warm, confiding friendship with Hum, often discussing the strange events around Saturn.

### [Saturn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters/saturn)

_social_

Bertha is a neighbor who pities Saturn from a distance, their interactions polite but superficial.

### [Hum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters/hum)

_friendship_

Bertha shares a warm, confiding friendship with Hum, often discussing the strange events around Saturn.

### [Hum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters/hum)

_friendship_

Bertha shares a warm, confiding friendship with Hum, often discussing the strange events around Saturn.

### [Saturn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters/saturn)

_social_

Bertha is a neighbor who pities Saturn from a distance, their interactions polite but superficial.

### [Saturn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters/saturn)

_social_

Bertha is a neighbor who pities Saturn from a distance, their interactions polite but superficial.

## In the story

### [Asleep! O Sleep a Little While, White Pearl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/asleep-o-sleep-a-little-while-white-pearl)

Addressed as 'white Pearl' and the object of the speaker's adoration.

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

A maiden dwelling in the old Minster-square, deeply engrossed in a curious religious volume on the eve of St. Mark.

### [The Cap and Bells](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/the-cap-and-bells)

Mortal woman beloved by Elfinan, mentioned in his lament.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xix)

The object of Elfinan's affection, described as the fairest of human loveliness.

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

The Emperor's dearest love, mentioned in the pledge and as the subject of Hum's list.

### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xliii)

Bertha Pearl is identified as the object of the Emperor's affection, described as soft and fair, living in Canterbury.

### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xliv)

The child born at midnight in an Indian wild, whose eyes opened on the stars.

### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xlix)

Proposed as a preferable alternative to Bellanaine by the Mago.

### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/l)

Bertha Pearl is identified as the creator of the embroidered piece, her name and the date 'Midsummer, ninety-one' stitched into the work.

### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/liii)

Described as pretty, delicate, not over tall, with a fairy's hand and very small waist.

### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/lvi)

Mentioned as a worthy prize to be conveyed on St. Mark's Eve.

### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/lviii)

Bertha is the target of the magic charm, destined to faint.

### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/lix)

Bertha's table is mentioned as the place where the book should be laid.

## Links

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