# Madeline — Poetry character guide > Madeline in Poetry by John Keats. **Role:** major **Also known as:** fair Madeline, mine, thee **First appearance:** 0051-i ## Snapshot A devout maiden who fasts and prays on St. Agnes' Eve, hoping the old ritual will reveal her future husband in a dream. ## Who they are Madeline moves through the cold, torch-lit halls of a feudal castle, surrounded by revelers and old retainers who half-believe the legends she trusts completely. Her piety is sincere, but it leaves her vulnerable to the very desires she tries to sanctify through ritual. Her dream and its aftermath sit at the center of Keats's meditation on whether love is a sacred vision or a beautiful deception. ## Relationships ### [Saturn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters/saturn) _romantic_ Madeline is a dreamy young woman infatuated with Saturn, mistaking his melancholy for romantic depth. ### [Saturn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters/saturn) _romantic_ Madeline is a dreamy young woman infatuated with Saturn, mistaking his melancholy for romantic depth. ## In the story ### [The Eve of St. Agnes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/the-eve-of-st-agnes) The central female character, a young maiden who devoutly follows St. Agnes' Eve rituals to dream of her future lover. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/v) The Lady whose heart brooded on love and St. Agnes' saintly care. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/vii) Lost in thought, yearning for St. Agnes' dreams, she ignores the festivities around her. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/viii) Dances with vague, anxious eyes, absorbed in thoughts of St. Agnes and the bliss to come. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/ix) The object of Porphyro's desire; he longs to gaze upon her unseen. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xii) The child addressed by Angela, urged to flee for her safety. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xiii) Sought by Porphyro; her whereabouts are the subject of his urgent question. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xiv) Madeline is mentioned as playing the conjurer this very night, engaging in rituals. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xv) Asleep in lap of legends old, the subject of Angela's tale and Porphyro's emotional response. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xix) The object of Porphyro's secret observation, expected to undress for bed. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xx) The lady referred to, whose lute and wedding are central to the plan. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxi) The maiden whose chamber is described as silken, hushed, and chaste; the object of Porphyro's secret visit. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxii) St. Agnes' charmed maid rises unaware like a mission'd spirit, then turns and leads Angela down to a safe level matting. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxiii) Madeline hurries into her room, closes the door, and is overcome with silent, voluble emotion, her heart swelling with eloquence. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxv) Kneels in prayer, bathed in moonlight, appearing saintly and pure. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxvi) Undresses for bed, pensive and dreaming of St. Agnes. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxvii) Madeline is depicted in a vulnerable, dreamlike state, trembling in her nest and gradually falling into a poppied sleep, her soul fatigued away. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxviii) Asleep in her chamber, unaware of Porphyro's presence. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxix) Present in bed as the faded moon casts a dim silver twilight. ### [The Eve of St. Agnes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxx) Sleeps deeply, described with azure-lidded sleep in blanched linen. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxxi) The sleeping beloved whom Porphyro addresses, calling her his 'seraph fair'. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxxii) Shaded in her dream by dusk curtains, lost in a midnight charm impossible to melt. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxxiv) Awakens from her dream, weeping and moaning as she gazes at Porphyro. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxxv) Madeline speaks to Porphyro, expressing her sorrow and fear of being left alone. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxxvi) The object of Porphyro's passion; he enters her dream. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxxvii) Madeline speaks, lamenting that Porphyro will leave her to fade and pine, feeling like a deceived and forlorn dove. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxxviii) Addressed as sweet dreamer and lovely bride, the object of Porphyro's devotion. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxxix) Addressed as 'my love' and urged to arise and flee. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xl) Hurries at Porphyro's words, beset with fears, descending the dark stairs. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xli) Glides like a phantom alongside Porphyro. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters/madeline - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters