The narrator of the poem is an observant figure watching the transition from day to night. They note the behavior of the birds, the moon, and the unseen angels that guard the natural world. They view the night not as a time of terror, but as a peaceful space protected by divine grace where the spiritual and material come into contact.

Divine beings with bright feet who wander the earth during the night. They pour blessings and joy on all creatures, both plant and animal, maintaining contact with the material earth. They serve to protect sleeping creatures, pour sleep upon those who weep, and guide the spirits of prey animals to the afterlife.

A fierce creature of the night that transforms in the afterlife. His aggressive nature is driven away by divine meekness, turning him into a weeping, compassionate guardian. With a bright mane shining like gold, he acts as a spiritual shepherd to the innocent animals in the fold.

Nocturnal predators driven by thirst and hunger in the dark. They represent the inherent natural dangers and violence of the material world. While they threaten the innocent creatures, their actions are an accepted part of the natural cycle, carefully monitored by divine beings.

A visionary poet and professional engraver living in London. He self-publishes his works as illustrated manuscripts, interweaving visual art and poetry. He experiences divine visions from a young age, which heavily influence his idiosyncratic Christian theology and artistic style.

An innocent, mild-spirited creature that grazes in the fields and represents peaceful vulnerability. In the dark, the lamb faces the threat of nocturnal predators but is spiritually protected by divine beings, ultimately inheriting a peaceful afterlife.

A personified celestial body that oversees the transition into night. It sits with a silent delight and smiles down on the earth, embodying the peaceful, unthreatening, and beautiful qualities of the nocturnal sky.

William Blake's wife and dedicated artistic collaborator. Originally illiterate at the time of their marriage, she learns to read and engrave from her husband, eventually helping him print and color the intricate illustrations that accompany his famous poetic works.

An English engraver working in London. He teaches the young Blake the technical skills of engraving, laying the foundation for his lifelong career as a professional craftsman and visual artist.

A patron of the arts who provides financial support to William Blake. His patronage allows the artist the freedom to explore a wide variety of idiosyncratic subjects and visual styles during his career.