The Speaker: The poem's speaker reflects upon the loss of the vivid sense of wonder and connection to nature experienced in childhood. This speaker is Wordsworth himself, contemplating the fleeting nature of childhood's perceptions.

Nature: Nature is a central character in the poem, representing both the source of the speaker's initial sense of wonder and how they hope to reconnect with that feeling. The poem explores how nature can evoke feelings of immortality and spiritual connection.

Children: The poem alludes to the idea that children have a unique and profound connection to the divine and the eternal. Their perceptions and experiences are seen as glimpses of a higher truth.