The speaker
The speaker is closely associated with the poet Richard Lovelace, who was arrested for a short period in 1642 for supporting a petition in favor of the king against the parliament.
Althea
Althea is the speaker’s lover, who he imagines flying down to speak and embrace him through the bars of his jail cell with Cupid’s help. No actual Althea is known to have existed, but some scholars posit that she is based on the one-time fiancée of Lovelace named Lucy Sacheverell.
Cupid
Described simply as “Love,” the fact that this character has wings shows that the poem is referring to the ancient god of love and desire.
The King
The King is a reference to King Charles I, whom Lovelace knew personally. Charles was put on trial and executed in 1649, a few years after this poem was written.
