The speaker is an adult who feels heavily burdened by the thorns of life and the passage of time. Once a childhood wanderer alongside nature, he now feels chained and bowed by his earthly existence. Yearning for personal freedom and creative vitality, he seeks to become a musical instrument for the natural world so his ideas can spread across humanity.

The West Wind is a powerful, personified force of nature acting as both a destroyer and preserver. It commands the elements, bringing violent storms and stirring the oceans, while simultaneously burying seeds to keep them safe through winter. Functioning much like a divine spirit or an enchanter, it possesses chaotic, transformative energy that drastically alters its environment.

Spring is the personified season of rebirth that arrives after the cold, death-like sleep of winter. She wakes the dormant seeds planted in autumn, filling the world with sweet buds, vivid colors, and fresh smells. She represents the ultimate hope and renewal that follows chaotic destruction.

The Mediterranean Sea is a massive body of water that spends the summer in a deep, dream-filled slumber. It lies near Baiae's bay, reflecting ancient, moss-covered palaces and towers until autumn weather abruptly breaks its rest. Its peaceful disposition contrasts sharply with the chaotic skies above.

The Atlantic Ocean is a formidable body of water that actively responds to the arrival of harsh weather. When the air currents blow violently above, its waters cleave into wide chasms, causing the vegetation along its floor to cower. It demonstrates the physical terror that the weather instills in the natural world.