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The speaker is an impassioned lover who believes his romantic relationship supersedes the physical world and the laws of time. He exhibits a bold, colloquial tone, challenging the natural order by asserting his dominance over the universe. His profound affection drives him to view the shared bed as the absolute center of existence, dismissing external duties and social hierarchies.
Romantic partner of The Lover
Annoyed by The Sun
The beloved woman represents the entirety of the earth's wealth and beauty to the speaker. Though she does not speak or take direct action in the text, her presence triggers the speaker's bold declarations against time. The speaker elevates her above all earthly royalty and material riches, stating her eyes outshine the brightest light.
Romantic partner of The Speaker
Personified as a busy old fool and a saucy pedantic wretch, the sun represents the passage of time and the demands of the ordinary working world. It operates on a strict schedule, historically prompting daily labor for farmers and schoolboys. Initially framed as an irritating intruder, it is eventually ordered by the speaker to act as a servant whose sole purpose is to warm their bedroom.
Subordinate to The Speaker
Tasked with warming The Lover