Christ

The Young Man

Christ appears as a spiritual figure who challenges and comforts the Young Man, representing divine love and sacrifice.

The Warders

Christ opposes the Warders, who represent earthly authority and punishment, in a spiritual conflict.

A Lament

Implied as the divine figure to whom the sufferer draws nearer through sorrow and strife.

The True Knowledge

Implied as the 'Thou' who knows all, the divine listener in the poem.

Lotus Leaves

Referenced as 'Him' who lies beneath the flowers laid by the speaker, suggesting a burial or memorial.

IV

The garland is laid where 'He lies,' suggesting a visit to Christ's tomb or a memorial.

Eleutheria

Invoked in 'Sonnet on the Massacre of the Christians in Bulgaria' as a figure whose resurrection is doubted amid persecution.

Sonnet to Liberty

Referenced metaphorically as 'These Christs that die upon the barricades,' symbolizing martyrs for liberty.

To Milton

Invoked as 'Dear God!' in a rhetorical plea about the state of England.

Sonnet

Addressed directly as 'Christ' and 'Son of God' and 'Son of Man'; questioned whether he truly lives or remains in the tomb, and called upon to show his might.

Rosa Mystica

Referenced in 'Sonnet Written in Holy Week at Genoa' and 'Rome Unvisited' as the slain son of Mary and a figure of divine suffering.

San Miniato

Referenced as the Holy One who crowns Mary with love and flame.

Sonnet Written in Holy Week at Genoa

Referenced as 'Jesus the son of Mary' who has been slain, and through the imagery of the Cross, the Crown, the Soldiers and the Spear.

Rome Unvisited

Referenced as 'Him who holds the awful keys' and 'the gentle Shepherd of the Fold,' and later as the one who hides His face.

III

Referenced as 'Him who holds the awful keys' and 'the gentle Shepherd of the Fold' and 'the only God-anointed King'.

IV

Referred to as 'Him who now doth hide His face'

Urbs Sacra Aeterna

Implied through the reference to the 'Holy One' and the 'Church of God'.

Sonnet

Addressed as 'Lord' and associated with gentle natural imagery (lilies, vines, sparrows) rather than judgment.

Easter Day

Recalled as the wandering figure who had no place to rest, in contrast to the Pope's splendor.

E Tenebris

Implored to reach down and save the speaker from a stormy sea of despair.

Humanitad

Alluded to in the imagery of the smitten mouth, crown of thorns, and crucifixion.

On the Sale by Auction of Keats’ Love Letters

Alluded to as the 'wretched man' whose garments were gambled for by soldiers.

The Sphinx

Referenced as the 'pallid burden' on the crucifix, the only God who has died.

Poems in Prose

Implied figure in 'The Doer of Good' who heals a leper, gives sight to a blind man, forgives a woman's sins, and raises a dead man; also appears as the divine figure with feet of brass and hair like fine wool in 'The Teacher of Wisdom'.

The Doer of Good

The central figure who performs miracles and later confronts those he healed about their subsequent lives.

The Master

Referenced as the just man whose deeds the young man has mirrored.

The House of Judgment

Referenced as 'God' in the House of Judgment, judging the man's life.

The Teacher of Wisdom

The divine figure with feet of brass and hair like fine wool who appears at the end to grant the hermit perfect love.

The Ballad of Reading Gaol

Invoked in prayer and as a figure of redemption and mercy for the condemned.

I

Invoked as 'Dear Christ' in a moment of horror upon learning the man will be hanged.

III

Christ is invoked in the line 'Ah! wounds of Christ!' as the prisoners confront the living terrors of their guilt and the execution.

IV

Christ is invoked as the one who brings His will to light and who came down to save sinners, including the hanged man.

V

Invoked as the Son of God who sees the maiming of brothers and enters through a broken heart; referenced in the context of the Thief of Paradise and the cleansing of sin.

VI

Referenced as the one who will call forth the dead, offering a silent hope for the condemned.