The male speaker is a man observing his partner's pregnancy, positioned behind her in bed. He speaks with an authoritative, sometimes detached tone regarding his role in the creation of their child, identifying himself as "imperially male." Allegorically, he represents the nation of England, an imperial power extending its reach over a smaller neighbor. He acknowledges his responsibility for the ensuing conflict but insists his actions do not amount to a true conquest.

The woman is the pregnant partner of the male speaker, quietly enduring the physical changes of carrying a child. She maintains a "half-independent" existence, sharing a joint creation with the speaker while bearing the primary physical burden of the impending birth. At the allegorical level, she represents the island of Ireland, influenced by England but retaining her own identity. The poem maps her physical body to the eastern and western coasts of the island.

The baby is the unborn offspring of the male speaker and the woman, developing forcefully in the womb. The speaker describes the child as an unruly, parasitical presence with "ignorant little fists," perceiving the impending arrival as a direct threat. Allegorically, the baby represents Ulster, the turbulent province produced by the historical union between England and Ireland. The child possesses an obstinate energy that disrupts the peace of both parents.