An aged man who feels alienated from a society obsessed with youth, physical vitality, and biological reproduction. Viewing his aging body as a tattered coat upon a stick, he rejects the transient natural world. He travels to the holy city of Byzantium to seek spiritual permanence, intellect, and the transformation of his soul through timeless art.

Holy, eternal figures depicted in the ancient artwork of Byzantium. They exist outside of normal time and physical decay. The Speaker views them as possessing the spiritual authority to separate his soul from his dying physical body and teach him eternal songs.

A drowsy monarch of Byzantium who rules the holy city. He represents the pinnacle of human authority in this eternal setting, yet he relies on the artificial, golden bird to rouse him or keep him awake. He values the permanence of golden artistry over the transient music of nature.

The aristocratic inhabitants of Byzantium. They represent an idealized, refined audience that exists in an atmosphere of artistic and spiritual perfection. The Speaker hopes to sit upon a golden bough and sing to them about the passage of time.