The Wife
Based upon his wife Elizabeth Siddal, this character is the author's anima. She represents all the acceptance, affection, and strength which he denies himself but projects onto her. Although they enjoy passionate romance at the front of their relationship, they soon wane, as all couples do. Rossetti is forced to reconsider his relationship to the wife in the maturity of their marriage, engaging in a kind of rediscovery with her. When she dies, she leaves him completely crushed, the death being unexpected.
The Second Lover
This woman is based upon Rossetti's mistress Jane Morris. She enters his poetic life after the grieving period. The passion with which he treats her is merely the reflexive function of his despair at losing his wife. In everything, he compares meeting this woman to his love for his wife. Although she is not the same woman nor does he wish her to be, he is attempting to recapture the intimacy he enjoyed with his wife with this woman.
The Narrator
Rossetti represents himself as the narrator of the poem. He is a vivacious, eager person who devotes himself to engagement with life, subject to his many passions. Although he lacks a degree of self-control in his youth, Rossetti makes a dramatic turn after his wife's death. He struggles with anger, especially directing it at God. He finds solace in his mistress, but, just like his wife, she cannot fulfill him.
God
Rossetti never had a direct relationship with God before his wife's death. Afterward he is forced to confront his beliefs about life, death, and the afterlife. He turns to God in anger, accusing him of injustice for taking his wife so soon. Nevertheless, he comes to terms with affairs beyond his control, such as the duration of life.
Satan
Rossetti addresses Satan by name. He directs less anger at him than he does at God; instead he pursues Satan with a vengeance of will. He wills for this "other" force to cease his torment, but each of these conversations demonstrate an inward preoccupation on Rossetti's part.
