# The Master — Poetry character guide > The Master in Poetry by George MacDonald. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Master, The master **First appearance:** 0001-a-hidden-life ## Snapshot The recurring teacher whose voice answers the seeking soul, promising a world within and a deeper childhood that must ripen before love can flow freely again. ## Who they are He appears as the guide who knows the speaker's pain yet calls it beyond his help, pointing instead to a star and asking whether its light means we know its people or its ways. His authority is intimate rather than distant—he recalls the earthly father's voice and the room that became a temple—and his central demand is transformation: the 'clouded consciousness' must be wiped away before the frolic homeliness of love returns. He anchors the book's middle arc, turning grief into a promise that nearness grows as the godlike ripens. ## Relationships ### [Mary Magdalene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/mary_magdalene) _friendship_ Mary Magdalene and The Master share a devoted, loyal companionship marked by spiritual guidance. ### [Mary Magdalene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/mary_magdalene) _friendship_ Mary Magdalene and The Master share a devoted, loyal companionship marked by spiritual guidance. ### [Mary Magdalene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/mary_magdalene) _friendship_ Mary Magdalene and The Master share a devoted, loyal companionship marked by spiritual guidance. ## In the story ### [A Hidden Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/a-hidden-life) The teacher who guides the narrator in mathematics and Latin. ### [A Book of Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/a-book-of-dreams) Appears in the opening dream, seeking to embrace the narrator; later referenced as the one who endured crucifixion and offers redemption. ### [The Man of Songs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-man-of-songs) The man of songs, who defends the reality of the cloud-mountains and claims one high dell holds his little home. ### [A Dream Within a Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/a-dream-within-a-dream) The male figure in the boat, reclining on flowers and interacting with his companion. ### [After an Old Legend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/after-an-old-legend) Appears to the monk in his cell, waits for him to return from feeding the poor, and speaks words of reassurance. ### [My Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/my-room) Referenced indirectly as the one who brings music and vision, described as 'Master of the revel still' in the dance vision. ### [The Death of the Old Year](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-death-of-the-old-year) Mentioned as being near during the vision of walking an ocean of fear and safety. ### [IX: The Women Who Ministered Unto Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/ix-the-women-who-ministered-unto-him) The laborer figure who toils and is ministered to by the women. ### [XIV: Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/xiv-martha) Jesus is the honored guest in Martha's home, recognized as the fulfillment of prophecy, and the object of her devoted service. ### [Somnium Mystici](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/somnium-mystici) The narrator's brother, a tall and kingly figure who guides him through the afterlife and to his first school. ### [He Heeded Not](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/he-heeded-not) Implied as the source of grace and the one who made the child, referenced in 'the tender palm of Him that made him'. ### [Marriage Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/marriage-song) Addressed as the Master who dwells with friends and performs the daily miracle of revealing heaven in ordinary things. ### [Come Unto Me](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/come-unto-me) The speaker who calls the weary and oppressed to come to him for rest. ### [The Chrysalis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-chrysalis) The mighty man in agony crying out to the Lord. ### [I See Thee Not](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/i-see-thee-not) The speaker directly addresses the Master, expressing love and longing for His visible presence. ### [Words in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/words-in-the-night) The heart claims to be the master, holding the key to life and dreams. ### [Reverence Waking Hope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/reverence-waking-hope) The grey, grey man with white-headed children, addressed with reverence and doubt. ### [Shall the Dead Praise Thee?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/shall-the-dead-praise-thee) Sits at the organ-pipes, which are bent and overthrown, symbolizing the speaker's broken capacity for praise. ### [Cottage Songs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/cottage-songs) Master Sun personified, greeting Mistress Water at the well. ### [Waiting: I Waited for the Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/waiting-i-waited-for-the-master) The awaited figure who arrives at evening after the speaker's long vigil. ### [Song of the Saints and Angels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/song-of-the-saints-and-angels) Implored to take Gordon in his arms and heal him with a kiss. ### [Master and Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/master-and-boy) The Master is the one the child runs after, representing Christmas-day or a guiding figure. ### [In the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/in-the-night) The Master's voice is heard calling the speaker, likened to a mother calling her child. ### [To My Lord and Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/to-my-lord-and-master) The Lord and Master to whom the speaker directs their devotion and trust. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/the_master - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters