# Love — Poetry character guide > Love in Poetry by George MacDonald. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the Father of Love **First appearance:** 0037-love-s-ordeal ## Snapshot The Father of Love, addressed as the ground of fatherhood at the great world's core, who loves the soul not for what it is but for what it shall be. ## Who they are Love is the divine father invoked in 'To My Father' and 'In the Night,' the one whose living self bred the sense that fatherhood is at the great world's core. The tension he holds is the soul's doubt — 'He cannot love poor thee' — answered by the conviction that what can be drawn and wooed and turned from ill is what his father made for good. He matters because he reframes the whole book's argument: that love precedes worth, and that the dead seed's growth is the Father's work, not the seed's achievement. ## In the story ### [To My Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/to-my-father) The father is addressed as the recipient of the speaker's gratitude and is credited with fostering the sense that fatherhood is at the core of the world. ### [A Hidden Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/a-hidden-life) Referenced as the Father of Love, associated with divine comfort. ### [A Book of Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/a-book-of-dreams) Referred to as the Father who waits at the door of the childhood home and later as the one who welcomes the weary man back to the throne. ### [To A. J. Scott: When, Long Ago, the Daring of My Youth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/to-a-j-scott-when-long-ago-the-daring-of-my-youth) Throned in Scott's heart as queen, without a mate. ### [The Hills](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-hills) Referred to as 'my Father' whose throne the speaker seeks and whose footsteps are found in the stone. ### [Longing: Away from the City’s Herds!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/longing-away-from-the-city-s-herds) The beloved companion the speaker yearns to be with by the sea. ### [My Eyes Make Pictures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/my-eyes-make-pictures) Implied as the father whose house the speaker joyfully nears, representing home and belonging. ### [Hope Deferred: Summer Is Come Again. The Sun Is Bright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/hope-deferred-summer-is-come-again-the-sun-is-bright) Invoked as the binding force that keeps the circle of hearts enchanted and gay, and as the lord of the living who transcends age. ### [Songs of the Winter Nights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/songs-of-the-winter-nights) The father figure who provides corn to partridges and is remembered with deep affection. ### [Summer Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/summer-song) The beloved addressed in the poem, whose love is declared eternal. ### [Willie's Question](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/willie-s-question) The Father, who represents divine wisdom and guidance, patiently instructs Willie on the true nature of greatness through humble service and obedience. ### [November](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/november) Mentioned as 'Father of loves' in the context of divine love and the ultimate return to God. ### [The Haunted House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-haunted-house) Invoked as 'Love, the all-shining' that will kill Despair. ### [In the Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/in-the-winter) Implied as 'Love’s summer-wind' blowing in a truth-irradiate zone. ### [Who Would Have Thought?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/who-would-have-thought) Personified as the green earth and celestial air, the source of life and music. ### [With a Copy of “In Memoriam”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/with-a-copy-of-in-memoriam) Referenced as 'his love who can restore all losses,' implying a divine or ultimate love. ### [December 23, 1879](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/december-23-1879) Implied as the Father whose will is to be heeded by the obedient child. ### [December 27, 1879](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/december-27-1879) Portrayed as the central figure whose song is constant, tender-strong, and overcomes fear, hate, and doubt. ### [Song: I Was Very Cold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/song-i-was-very-cold) Personified love, growing old with the speaker and later reconciled. ### [The Old Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-old-castle) The father at whose door the children are brought, representing a loving, welcoming presence. ### [To Any Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/to-any-friend) The Father whose door the speaker seeks and whose arm offers ultimate embrace. ### [Love Is Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/love-is-home) Addressed as the faithful creator and heart-longed-for father, the central figure of the poem. ### [Two in One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/two-in-one) Implied as the Lord in whose heart the two thoughts reside. ### [Bedtime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/bedtime) Referred to as 'the Father' who comes with soft tread to carry the adults to bed, symbolizing divine care. ### [How Shall He Sing Who Hath No Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/how-shall-he-sing-who-hath-no-song) Love is depicted as longing to sing and ultimately sitting down by every hearth. ### [To G. M. T.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/to-g-m-t) Referenced as the Father of Love whose love surpasses human understanding. ### [In Memoriam Lady Caroline Charteris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/in-memoriam-lady-caroline-charteris) Referred to as 'Love's court' and 'the heart of all love' ### [Love's History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/love-s-history) The central figure, personified as Love, who progresses through life stages from baby to aged, seeking connection and finally finding rest. ### [Lycabas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/lycabas) Referred to as the Father of Love, the destination of the radiant march. ### [Life-Weary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/life-weary) Implied as the host who stands and calls at the wide door, representing love's house and heart. ### [A Birthday-Wish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/a-birthday-wish) Addressed as 'love' in the opening line. ### [Lost but Safe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/lost-but-safe) The father figure who knows the child is not in the house, providing comfort. ### [Much and More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/much-and-more) Referred to as the 'love-creating lover' and 'love's keeper', the ultimate source and object of love. ### [To One Unsatisfied](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/to-one-unsatisfied) Implied as the Father who alone provides rest. ### [The Girl That Lost Things](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-girl-that-lost-things) Referred to as 'the Father great of fathers' who cares for children and their toys. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/love_father - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters