Sailing to Byzantium Character
TS
The Speaker
Protagonist
Also known as: Poetic Persona
Introspective
Spiritually yearning
Wise
Aged
An old man who feels out of place in the world of the young. He seeks to transcend the physical world and journey to Byzantium, a spiritual realm where he hopes to achieve eternal life through art and wisdom.
YP
Young People
Symbolic
Also known as: The Youth
Carefree
Pleasure-seeking
Present-focused
Unaware
The youth represent those who embrace life, love, and nature without contemplating death or the deeper meaning of existence. They serve as a contrast to the speaker, living entirely in the moment without concern for the soul or spiritual matters.
TW
The Wise Men in Byzantium
Supporting
Holy
Spiritually knowledgeable
Guiding
Transcendent
Sacred and spiritually enlightened figures residing in Byzantium. The speaker calls upon them to guide his soul and assist him in departing from his aging, mortal body toward eternal spiritual existence.